Photo by Neidy Gutierrez | SOC Images.
Despite the weather rolling back to chilly winds, Hudson County continues to move forward with summer marketplaces, camps and more.
Here’s what’s been happening this week.
Ring In Summer Vacation With This Free Hudson County Summer Camp
The Hudson County Enterprises (HCE) announced their free summer camp that’s been designed specifically for local youth.
The program is intended to help students with disabilities develop the confidence, life skills and career readiness to ensure a successful future.
The summer camp is free and available for those ages 14-21 and with an IEP or 504 plan. The camp will run from July 7 to Aug. 28, Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Daily breakfast and lunch will be provided. The camp will take place at 68-70 Tuers Avenue in Jersey City; families are responsible for transportation. Some students may be allowed to commute independently with guardian permission.
The summer program will include:
- Career Exploration & Job Readiness
- Workplace Readiness
- Independent Living & Self-Advocacy
- Postsecondary Education Planning
There are just 60 spots available, and enrollment is first come, first served. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 30.
You can sign up for the camp here: https://forms.gle/pW7Nf1zmgHL2WTmAA
For more information, contact Nadia Ritter at 201-494-0442 or [email protected].
You Can Vend At BayOwns Vendor Market This Summer
Why visit a vendor market when you can be the vendor?
BayOwns Vendor Market located at 920 Broadway, Bayonne is looking for vendors for this summer from July 8 to Aug. 22.
BayOwn’s is seeking vendors for the following categories:
- Local artists
- Handcrafted goods
- Antiques
- Pet products
- Kids’ products
- New Jersey items
- Summer-themed
Those interested are asked to DM @bayowns_vendor_market on Instagram.
The vendor application can be found here.
Celebrate East Newark! How You Can Vend For Their 130th Anniversary
The Borough of East Newark is making a call out to all local vendors of all kinds.
It will take place on Saturday, July 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Newark Riverfront Park. Vendors can reserve a spot for $50 and can set up at 10 a.m.; pop-up tents and tables are not provided.
The municipality is looking for vendors including, but not limited to:
- Food trucks
- Crafts
- Merchandise
- Entertainment
- Community Organizations
- And more!
Their Instagram post said they just want to create a day “full of fun, history, and community spirit.”
Those interested must reserve by June 20. For more information, you can call 973-481-2902 or email [email protected].
Without you, there is no Slice of Culture. Any type of gift helps continue our mission of supporting aspiring journalists and keeping local journalism alive. Give a gift today or become a member with extra perks.
Get Ready To Pedal! Hoboken Extends Bike Program And Built New System
Hoboken has expanded its Citi Bike program and will use the new Pillar docking system, with the bike share system in front of Hoboken City Hall.
“This new system not only enhances the bike-share experience but also contributes to a more accessible city,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“By relocating the existing docking station and adding this new, smaller profile station in front of City Hall, we are maintaining bike share access to city services while providing our residents and visitors with more options to patronize downtown businesses, or commute into New York City.”
The dock in front of Hoboken’s city hall will hold eight bikes and will be built on the sidewalk. This also marks the first in the state to use Lyft’s new Pillar system, whose design makes it more flexible and smaller installations, making it easier to navigate in areas with high “curbside demand.”
The new docking stations can also be modified to support charging for e-bikes. E-bikes make more than 50 percent of user trips and they reduce battery swapping trips and improve reliability.
Hudson County Emphasizes Commitment To ‘Establish, Upgrade Or Improve’ Local Open Spaces
Celebrations are in order as Hudson County commemorated the 20-year anniversary of the Hudson County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Over the past two decades this program has appropriated a total of $112,203,252 that helped:
- Create over 20 parks
- Establish, upgrade or improve 42 recreation facilities
- Develop or rehabilitate 14 spray parks and over 50 playgrounds
- Preserved 19 historic sites throughout all 12 municipalities in the county
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy also announced the Open Space Advisory Board and the intention to award $11.7 million in funding for 2025. These awards will come up for a vote before the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 14, 2025.
“My administration is determined to continue making Hudson County the best place to live, work, raise a family. This is why in 2024 I championed the Open Space levy to return to a full penny with the agreement of the County’s local elected leaders and the Board of County Commissioners – making 2025 the largest funding cycle since the Open Space Trust Fund’s inception,” said Guy.
“As the County celebrates this milestone achievement of 20 years, we reflect on why the Open Space Trust Fund was created – to upgrade, repair and create open spaces and parks in all 12 municipalities within the County. From new accessible parks and playgrounds to splash pads and athletic fields, the Trust Fund has been a resource to ensure these community spaces are top notch and safe for all residents.”
The following projects are the recommended 2025 awardees of the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund:
- Bayonne: 16th Street Miniature Golf Course Improvements
- Bayonne: Improvements to W. 24th Street Playground
- East Newark: Veterans Playground & Water Park
- Harrison: Sixth Street Courts/Firemen’s Memorial Playground
- Hoboken: Skate Park and Waterfront Walkway Upgrades Project
- Hoboken: Tom Olivieri Park Improvement Project
- Jersey City Board of Education: Caven Point Turf Field Replacement
- Jersey City Redevelopment Agency: Bayfront Promenade Park Phase II
- Jersey City: Arlington Park Improvements Project
- Kearny: Kearny Crew House Improvement Project
- North Bergen: Stan Newman Field Improvements Project
- Secaucus: Buchmuller Park Playground Resurfacing Project
- Secaucus: Shetik Field Pickleball Court Construction Project
- Union City: Ellsworth Park Improvements
- Union City: Peru Park Improvements, Phase 2
- Weehawken: Gregory Park Renovations
- West New York: Fillmore Park Improvement Project Phase II
- West New York: St. Mary’s Park Improvement Project
- Save Ellis Island, Inc.: Preservation Ellis Island Hospitals
- Hudson County Parks: Lincoln Park Track Upgrades and Rehabilitation
- Hudson County Parks: Rehabilitation to Spray Park in Stephen R. Gregg
- Hudson County Parks: Laurel Hill Pickleball Courts and Walkway
For the story map of the Open Space projects and the Board’s 2025 Recommendations Report, click here.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
