Jersey City 2025
WALK the WALKWAY
Jersey City – April 22, 2025
Jersey City North
The Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy was thrilled to host its first Walkway Walk in several years on Earth Day. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening for the sunset walk of Jersey City’s northern section of the walkway. Five board members set up banners and a table to welcome walkers and give out information to pedestrians walking by. Jersey City Councilwoman Denise Ridley stopped by to say hello.
At the scheduled walk start time of 7 pm, sixteen people and two dogs gathered at the Water’s Soul sculpture by Jaume Plensa. Five board members were present. Our walk leader recapped the Conservancy’s purpose and reflected on the artist’s words from a 2021 dedication ceremony:
“It is my wish for Water’s Soul to become an icon for Newport and a landmark that visually connects it with New York City across the Hudson River.
Just as Water’s Soul acts to unite the city of Jersey City and New York City, we are reminded that water is the great public space that unites and embraces communities as well as people around the world.” https://gothamtogo.com/jaume-plensa-waters-soul-a-permanent-installation-in-newport-pier-park-nj/
The group walked south, noting the good condition of the walkway, which is maintained by the Newport LeFrak development and included cherry blossom trees in full bloom. We paused for a moment of silence in honor of the six victims who recently perished in a helicopter crash that was in the river very close to the heavily used walkway and a school.
Our leader shared the history of the Holland Tunnel while observing the ventilation towers. We discussed the piers that have been nicely constructed for pedestrian access but are inexplicably closed to the public by a locked gate. The group was encouraged to sign a petition that the Conservancy will give to the Port Authority requesting that the gates be open. (Note: The petition link was shared with our mailing list after the walk and posted on this Website.)
Proceeding south, we noted the Battello restaurant at the end of a small pier which has beautiful views of the water and New York City.
We paused at the 6th Street pier which is closed to the public and under construction. It includes the Newport Helistop, which the Conservancy is advising to not be reapproved when pier construction is complete, because it would block public access from that section of the walkway.
In front of the Harborside development, we noted the signposts that have been sponsored and installed by the Exchange Place Alliance Special Improvement District (SID). The signposts include maps and interesting facts about the history of the area.
The sunset was spectacular and many walkers paused at points along the way to take photos.
We arrived at Exchange Place PATH station and concluded the official group walk, directing interested walkers on how to take the Light Rail back north to Newport. We noted that a future walk could be conducted from this point south towards the Morris Canal with views of the Statue of Liberty.