The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) and the Hackensack Environmental Justice Alliance (HEJA) announce a groundbreaking initiative, Pathways to the River, to transform access to Hackensack’s riverfront. The NNJCF, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Hackensack New Jersey, continues its commitment to community quality of life through strategic environmental projects.
Working in conjunction with HEJA, a group founded in 2023 with now over 200 residents, the NNJCF is launching this transformative project to produce a plan that creates a network of pathways encouraging more people to use the various walkways on the Hackensack riverfront. The project brings together community leaders, environmental experts, and also local stakeholders to create a more connected, accessible urban environment along the Hackensack River.
With critical support from the M&T Charitable Foundation, PSEG Foundation, and Valley Bank, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference will develop the plan to address long-standing environmental and accessibility challenges in the Hackensack community. Drawing from over a century of experience in trail development and conservation, the Trail Conference will bring critical expertise to the project’s planning and implementation.
Overcoming Historical Barriers to the Riverfront
The Pathways to the River project will transform historical barriers that have prevented residents from experiencing the riverfront. This transformation includes providing interconnected walkways, implementing public art, and also developing innovative signage to revitalize underutilized urban spaces.
The Pathways to the River project seeks to provide access to the riverfront in Hackensack.
“This effort is important because Hackensack residents have been physically and emotionally disconnected from the Hackensack River. The riverfront was mostly industrial and polluted, giving people little reason to visit. Existing walkways lack signage and visibility.
“River Street creates a significant barrier, with developments blocking river views and making street crossings unpleasant and unsafe. Consequently, the project will represent a significant milestone in Hackensack’s environmental and community development, promising to create vibrant, accessible community resources along the riverfront,” explained Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.
Community Engagement Strategy
By reconnecting residents with the Hackensack River, the Pathways to the River project seeks to create more inclusive places. In addition, the project offers accessible, vibrant urban spaces benefiting all community members. Central to the project’s success is a robust community engagement approach. Two public input sessions will provide residents with opportunities to share their vision for the the riverfront’s pathways.
The first session takes place on October 29, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Johnson Public Library, located at 274 Main Street in Hackensack, New Jersey. In addition, a second session is scheduled for November 22, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the location to be announced.
To ensure inclusive participation, the organizers will also provide Spanish translation at both events. Residents can register for these community engagement sessions online .
Comprehensive Environmental Approach
Beyond creating walkways, the project is part of the broader Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation initiative. This program addresses multiple environmental challenges. These challenges include stormwater flooding and also climate change risks that disproportionately impact Latinx, Black, and other communities of color. The initiative complements the city’s existing sewer separation work and aims to create a coalition of community advocates. These advocates drive long-term environmental protection strategies.
Support Pathways to the River
Donations of any size to support the riverfront project are welcome and may be made online. Contributions may also be sent by check made out to ‘The Northern N.J. Community Foundation’, with ‘Pathways to the River’ entered in the memo line. Send checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 102, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. For further information, contact Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP at leo@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x2.
