The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation announces the award of a grant from Valley Bank. The grant will be used for Pathways to the River. This project is a part of the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice initiative. Pathways to the River plans to encourage more residents from the City of Hackensack to spend time at and enjoy the Hackensack River. This project is designed particularly to help low- and moderate-income residents of Hackensack. These residents have limited options to enjoy open space and fresh air in the city.
The Pathways to the River project will develop trails along the Hackensack River with support from Valley Bank.
“We thank Valley Bank for their generous and continued support of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and our work in the northern region of the state,” said Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez.
Hackensack River
The history of pollution in the river and real estate development patterns resulted in too many Hackensack residents feeling disconnected from the Hackensack River. As a result, most of the river walkways, which seem hidden behind big developments, remain underused.
People tend to protect and support what they feel connected to. The Pathways to the River project will also help generate public support for protecting the environment in and around the river.
With the grant from Valley Bank, the Foundation’s staff plan to work with the city’s residents and other stakeholders to create a plan for a set of trails in Hackensack. These trails will help lead residents to the Hackensack River. The trails would include ideas for murals, statues, and green art (such as decorative planters). Additional ideas include signs and other ways to guide people to the river.
Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice
The Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation program addresses flooding issues in the City of Hackensack. In the city, extensive stormwater flooding coupled with climate change increased environmental and health risks. These risks impacted particularly Latinx, Black and other communities of color.
The program complements the combined sewer separation work underway by the city. This helps especially areas in Hackensack the most prone to flooding during significant rainfalls. These areas have greater concentrations of Black, Latino and low- and moderate-income residents. The program also works to create a coalition of community residents from these areas. Furthermore, the program encourages them to be stronger advocates for strategies to protect their neighborhoods from future flooding.
For information about the initiative, contact NNJCF’s executive director, Leonardo Vazquez 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail to nnjcf@nnjcf.org.
