One aspect of Jersey City’s ongoing revival that can’t be overlooked is the role of its community. Locals will find plenty of places to get together this spring and summer, such as the city’s vibrant waterfront, sporting events, dozens of great restaurants at which to meet over some food, arts and written word organizations, and a full calendar of nature and cultural events.
In that spirit, we at Jersey City Magazine are proud to introduce in this issue four new departments, each spotlighting a particular aspect of life in Jersey City, in addition to our usual in-depth feature stories.
In “Historic Neighborhoods,” we’ll learn a little bit more about the people making the city’s historic districts their homes. In this issue, we take a look at Hamilton Park, which dates back to the mid-19th century and is now cared for by the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association.
In “At Home,” we’ll take a look inside some of the most sought-after homes in the city. Our first stop: the Sugar House Lofts, a refined sugar warehouse-turned-luxury condominium building with views of Liberty State Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline that are beyond compare.
What better way to get to know your neighbors than on the field or in the stands at a local sporting event? Over at the “Sports Corner,” you can find a local sports team to join up with or to just cheer along. In future issues, we’ll cover some great moments in sports history that happened right here in Jersey City.
And our new “Education Report” will help students and families find out what’s going on with their own educational communities.
Be sure to keep an eye out for future issues, because we’ll be introducing new departments all the time!
As for our full-length feature stories, we keep up the community theme by focusing on stories about Jersey City residents coming together to celebrate, learn, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Few things bring people together like music, and Jersey City is quickly becoming one of the most musical cities around. Dozens of free music events will take place throughout the spring and summer, not the least of which is the huge Fourth of July concert planned at Liberty State Park.
Jersey City’s gem of a state park – the second-busiest state park in the country, as a matter of fact – celebrates its 30th birthday this June. It plays a major role in bringing people together at the Jersey City waterfront.
Longtime residents can testify to the amazing transformation the waterfront has undergone. From the active financial district to Liberty Landing Marina, work and play are coming together at the city’s edge.
Just south of Liberty State Park, another portion of the Jersey City waterfront has been revitalized with the exclusive Liberty National Golf Club. Built atop a site that was once little more than an industrial dump, Liberty National will be one of the most elite – and expensive – golf courses in the country. In this issue, we take a tour of Liberty National before its grand opening this July 4 to learn more about the course itself and the opportunities it will bring to the surrounding communities.
One Jersey City notable is hoping to connect all of the city’s residents in a different way. Priscilla Gardner, director of the Jersey City Free Public Library, is working with her staff to get library cards to all 240,055 residents and push forward in developing new services, such as a replacement Bookmobile and as many as two new branches, including a business library for the city’s entrepreneurial community.
If all those opportunities to meet up with your neighbors still aren’t enough, we’ve compiled an extensive Calendar of Events with scores of Jersey City happenings, including concerts, nature gatherings, and arts and cultural events. Plus, with Jersey City Magazine‘s comprehensive “Entertainment in the City” listings, you’ll never be far from an eatery to use as a meet-up spot.