Next Steps
In 2026, we are poised to make real strides toward making this park a reality. We are applying to the State of New Jersey for Green Acres funding. The Green Acres program was started in New Jersey in 1961 to protect and develop open space in the state and we're hopeful that our little corner of the Ewing-Carroll neighborhood will become one of the many, many projects they've supported in the state. If successful, we'll be finalizing phase one of the design at the end of 2026 -- this will mean more outreach and input from neighbors and stakeholders -- with plans to start construction in 2027. Please follow the links below to see our concept plans and check back here for updates. And please cross your fingers for our funding request!!
Our Timeline
January 2026
On the 29th, Cindy Taylor of the Mercer County Planning Office presented revised park plans to the Mercer County Commissioners at a public hearing. Her presentation represents the culmination of weeks of work between the county, Rescue Mission, the City of Trenton and Michael Graves Architects developing a concept plan for the park and a budget. The commissioners past a resolution which paves the way for our application to the State of New Jersey's Green Acres funding.
October 2025
Our outreach to the residents of the Ewing-Carroll neighborhood continues. Thanks to the generous invitation of Principal Santiago at the Grant School, we set up during Parent-Teacher Conferences and Family Fun night to poll parents and students about what they wanted to see in park.
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The big winner: swings and slides!
August 2025
The Rescue Mission hosted a barbecue for National Night Out -- giving us an opportunity to canvas neighbors and clients about their wishes and concerns about a park on Ewing Street.
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People talked about the pleasures of benches, grills and workout equipment. They discussed the need for bathrooms, safety, and rain shelter. We talked about how to make families and children safe. And how to keep a park clean.
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"If there's a place for people to sit still and gather their thoughts—they can make better choices."
"When it's hot out, maybe something where you can take a little bird bath."
"If it's named after a Black man, then I'm in favor."
"If it's for the kids, then swings. Definitely swings."
July 2025
This summer, we've been honored to team up with an initiative at The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Truth and Repair, to start conversations in the community. Skyler Gordon, the project's manager, and Serita Sargent, a PhD candidate at Rutgers have been developing a questionnaire and canvassing in the neighborhood. They've been writing reports to share with our stakeholders and the design team. This is all part of the process of understanding what this diverse community REALLY wants in a park and how to bring residents into the design process. The conversations have surprised and inspired us.
June 2025
Still more progress!!
We're grateful for the interest and enthusiasm of new partners in the process. Thanks to the energy and expertise of Jay Watson and Anthony Cucchi at the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, we are a few steps closer to building a framework that will contain this park. Wonderful ideas came from Mercer County's park planners and the stewards of the state's amazing Green Acres program, which works to bring green spaces to concrete cities.
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Speaking of: take a look at the NJCF's Trees for Trenton program, and it's video.
Winter 2024
We are gathering stakeholders and talking to the city and its lawyers, trying to understand the structures needed to create a park like this in the neighborhood.
Summer 2023
Community meetings at the Rescue Mission to start the process of planning the park and bringing in a wide range of voices. Council Members Jennifer Williams, Crystal Feliciano, and Jasi Edwards attend as does Ms. Rhonda Killingsworth, Harlan Joseph's sister.
May 2023
Thanks to the momentum created by the city's historic marker, our core team decides to revise this idea, post pardemic. We gathered in Prospect House at Princeton University to plan next immediate steps for meetings in the community and with City Hall.
The timing is good. Austin Edwards, a lawyer and community organizer in Trenton joins the group -- just as he finishes a Master's in Public Policy at Princeton University. Congrats, Austin!
April 2023
Mayor Reed Gusciora and Councilwoman Jennifer Williams dedicate a historical marker, memorializing the so-called "Trenton Riots" and Harlan Joseph. Rhonda Killingsworth, Harlan's sister, speaks at the dedication.
August 2018
Sharon Joseph, Harlan Joseph's sister, sees the plans for the park and suggests naming not a "memorial" but a "Peace Park."
Summer 2018
Mary Gay Abott-Young and Barrett Young meet with Robert Blaser from Michael Graves Architects to brainstorm ideas for a park on Ewing Street. The firm hosts a summer design charente with interns.
April 2018
The Trenton Project, led by Purcell Carson and Alison Isenberg, hosts an evening of community memory and public history, bringing the city and the family of Harlan Joseph together to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the King Uprisings and the killing of Harlan Joseph.