Exploring Trenton Riverfront Redevelopment With ‘Trenton Walks!’

It was sleeting when a group of around 30 people of all ages met outside “Cooper’s Riverview” (map) in Trenton on Sunday morning. The occasion? The 62nd “Trenton Walks!” walking tour of the city. In this case, the focus was on plans for redevelopment of the Delaware River waterfront.

The group passes under the US-1 underpass near South Warren St in Trenton

Passing under the US-1 highway and alongside Route 29, it was obvious how large parts of Trenton, like many US cities, were obliterated to make it easier for people to drive through. The area of Trenton near the Delaware River used to be the thriving ‘Bloomsbury’ neighborhood. The history of Bloomsbury was documented in a detailed story-map by Elena Peeples, who joined the walk on Sunday.

The group walk out on the ‘Trenton Makes’ Bridge

To get a better view of the riverfront area of Trenton, the group ventured out onto the Lower Trenton Bridge, also known as the ‘Trenton Makes’ bridge (because of its famous illuminated sign). The bridge crosses from Trenton to Pennsylvania. Currently, the area near the river in Trenton, seen on the right-hand side in the picture below, contains state government offices, surface parking lots, and Route 29.

A huge flock of seagulls around the Delaware River as seen from the ‘Trenton Makes’ Bridge.

Route 29 is a typical urban renewal-era highway that cuts off the city from the riverfront. The area around Route 29 is hostile to pedestrians. But a plan to redesign Route 29 as a ‘boulevard’ has been under development for several years. Sabrina Rodriguez, a champion of the “Reconnecting Trenton’s Riverfront” campaign, was on the walk to discuss ongoing plans. The Mercer County planning office has developed detailed concepts for how the highway could be replaced with roads that allowed better access to the Delaware River without significantly affecting traffic flow.

Mercer County Executive Dan Benson joined the walk, and showed incredible knowledge and passion about the ongoing efforts to revitalize the Trenton waterfront. Benson mentioned that there are a series of projects that are taking place around the city, but emphasized the importance of seeing progress happen in the short term. A plan to create a new park, the ‘Capital Park‘, behind the New Jersey statehouse is ready to move forward right now. It just needs approval from the relevant state lawmakers.

Mercer County executive Dan Benson talks to the group in front of Assunpink Creek

The walk was led by the energetic ‘Trenton Walks!’ co-chairs, Becky Taylor and Tim Brill. The 2025 Trenton Walks series concluded today, but more great walks will be coming in 2026.

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