walkableprinceton

Jersey Census Data Again Shows Demand For Walkability

Posted on June 20, 2013 by walkableprinceton

A Big Welcome to Princeton’s 20 new residents! (Click to expand image.)

Data from the US Census released last week confirm several demographic trends that support increased demand for walkable housing. The population of New Jersey is stable- in fact it grew slightly between 2010 and 2012. Our state is still a desirable place to live with a diversified economy that offers many jobs in different sectors. The people who say that ‘everybody’ is leaving New Jersey in the face of high taxes or whatever else are wrong. Older people are leaving the state, but as they leave, new residents come to New Jersey and an increasing fertility rate has kept the population stable. Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | 3 Comments

Lake Carnegie Dam In The Summer

Posted on June 19, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Lake Carnegie Dam, June 2013. (Click to expand)

In the first of a series highlighting beautiful, walkable locations in Princeton, NJ, we focus on a site at the north-eastern corner of the town: the dam at Lake Carnegie. Lake Carnegie, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a beautiful, man-made lake, constructed in 1905-1906 by damming the Millstone River. The D&R canal tow-path, runs along the southern side of the lake, is a fantastic trail for walkers, joggers, cyclists. It is also popular with bird-watchers and people who like to fish.

Posted in Beautiful Walkable Princeton | 2 Comments

Princeton Set To Get New Spanish Deli

Posted on June 18, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Despana market on Nassau Street (click to expand).

It looks like Princeton’s new Spanish cafe/ deli is all set to open! Despana Foods, which has operated a deli in Soho, NYC since 2006, is opening in Princeton! Do you like tapas? Chorizo and manchego cheese? Paella? Then this is definitely a place you’ll be wanting to check out. Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | 3 Comments

Protect The Grid And Our Trees

Posted on June 17, 2013 by walkableprinceton

A ‘Y-tree’ in Princeton, produced when the tree is cut away in the middle to allow electrical wires to pass through. (Click to expand)

The beautiful trees that line our Princeton streets are frequently sliced in half to allow electricity wires to pass through. Carving out the middle of the tree canopy makes the tree take on the shape of the letter ‘Y’, and these ‘Y-trees’ are common in and around Princeton. This is crazy. In addition to seriously detracting from the natural form of the trees, overhead electrical wires are a liability, which can be knocked down by any passing storm, leaving Princeton residents without power. Overhead wires are also u-g-l-y, and detract from our street-scapes. Continue reading →

Posted in Complete Streets, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability | 3 Comments

Are Bears Really A Threat To Princeton?

Posted on June 14, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Black Bear. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo by Courtney Celley) (Click to expand.)

A few bears have been sighted in Princeton in the last couple of weeks and people are going a little bear-crazy! Yesterday, in an editorial apparently taken directly from ‘The Colbert Report‘, the Princeton Packet worried about the possibility of bear attacks in Princeton and called for new protocols on whether children should be allowed to walk home alone when bears are around. Continue reading →

Posted in Princeton, Walking | 2 Comments

Princeton Offers Free Bike Training Event For Kids on Saturday

Posted on June 13, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Kids riding at the 2012 Princeton Wheels Rodeo. (Photo from Prineton Sun)

Kids riding at the 2012 Princeton Bike Rodeo. (Photo from Prineton Sun)

The weather in Princeton has been pretty much terrible recently with a month’s worth of rain falling in one week. Storms and possible tornadoes are following heavy rain showers, which followed Tropical Storm Andrea. But the outlook is good for the weekend, and Princeton is offering a free event for kids and adults at Princeton High School. Continue reading →

Posted in Biking, Community, Events, Princeton | Leave a comment

A Tale Of Two Hotels

Posted on June 12, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Trenton Marriott, via www.venere.com

It’s easy to criticize with the benefit of hindsight, but the decision of Trenton City Council in 2000 to finance the construction of a hotel in downtown Trenton really looks like a disaster. As explained in the linked article from NJ.com, the figures never made sense from the get-go. This is how former Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer remembers it: Continue reading →

Posted in Local, Zoning | Leave a comment

Will An Expanded Timetable Make Princeton Love The FreeB?

Posted on June 11, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton’s FreeB ‘Community Shuttle’ at Princeton Shopping Center.

Despite Princeton’s small population, there are a remarkable number of cars around, and surface parking lots are considered a near-sacred commodity in central areas that could be better used for homes or green spaces. A large part of this is because, in contrast to Princeton’s historic, walkable tradition, post-war zoning has required low-rise, low-density single-family homes. Homes are spread out, making it more of an effort for people to get to stores or workplaces by walking. Cycle trails are rudimentary throughout the town, so most people naturally enough look to a car as their primary mode of transport, if not an absolute necessity. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Princeton, Transit | 6 Comments

One Last Ride From The Old Dinky Station

Posted on June 10, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton Station, at University Place. (Click to expand.)

NJ Transit has issued a statement advising passengers using Princeton station (the ‘Dinky‘ terminus, on University Place) that the station will be closed for the next two weekends (June 15-16 and June 22-23). During this time, a temporary Dinky station will apparently be constructed somewhere south of the present station location to enable further construction of Princeton University’s Arts and Transit development. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Princeton, Transit | 9 Comments

Princeton U. Should Think Big At Butler Site

Posted on June 7, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Housing at Princeton University’s Butler Apartments. (Click any image to expand.)

As Princeton University recovers from the excitement and drama of Reunions and Commencement, another group of students quietly keeps on going. Princeton graduate students, who have been ostracized ever since Andrew West’s bizarre decision to build a graduate ghetto separate from the rest of the university in 1906, continue producing world-class research all through the summer and all year round. Princeton University offers undergraduates a wealth of accommodation options, and student social life revolves around the Prospect Ave ‘Eating Club‘ scene. Grad students, by contrast, tend to be cast to the outskirts of the campus, or even unhoused altogether. This is a strange way to treat some of the smartest people in the world, who dedicate themselves to research despite long hours and low wages. Continue reading →