Vacant lot in Trenton’s North Ward transformed into city park

TRENTON, NJ - Blacksmith Triangle, the site of a former gas station at the corner of North Olden and Lawrence avenues in Trenton, has taken on a new life as the city's latest green space.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJ Conservation), in partnership with the City of Trenton and other environmental and community organizations, worked to transform the site into a forested park addition over the last two years. Improvements included site clearing and grading, seeding, new sidewalks, bollards, a brick-paved entry plaza, and 14 honey locust trees. The project's completion was celebrated in May.

The City remediated Blacksmith Triangle years ago to clean up the contamination left behind from its former use as a gas station. But until recently it remained covered with concrete and asphalt and was often used as a de facto parking lot. In 2024, NJ Conservation received a grant from the Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association Foundation to plant trees on the site, which spurred conversations with Trenton officials about turning the lot into a forested plaza and gateway to George Page Park and the Assunpink Greenway. Construction began in December 2025, thanks to a significant financial contribution from the City of Trenton and additional funding secured by NJ Conservation from private donors.

With this new green space, project leaders aim to increase shade for city residents, who are experiencing disproportionate impacts of climate change. Trenton neighborhoods are dealing with the 'heat island effect' that causes higher ambient temperatures in urban areas than in suburban and rural areas.

"Excessive heat is deadly in our communities, and this work will help future generations of Trentonians cope with the rising temperatures that will come with our new climate realities," said Jay Watson, NJ Conservation's Senior Fellow for Conservation Justice. "New Jersey Conservation Foundation is proud to do this green infrastructure work in our capital city."

At a grand opening celebration for Blacksmith Triangle last month, Paul Harris, Trenton's Director of Recreation, Natural Resources, and Culture, said the City is excited about the lot's transformation, highlighting the partnership that made the project possible.

"Our goal is to green as much of the town as we can, but in order to do that successfully, we need to bring on partners," said Harris.

The revitalization of Blacksmith Triangle is part of a larger greening effort throughout the city. NJ Conservation and its partners - City of Trenton, Isles, the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the Watershed Institute, and the Outdoor Equity Alliance - are working to build a greener, more equitable New Jersey through the Trees for Trenton program. Thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 1,000 shade trees are being planted throughout Trenton, creating a healthier environment for residents and visitors.

Trees for Trenton was announced in 2023 at an Arbor Day celebration when the first trees were planted at Mulberry Street Park. More than 900 trees have been planted throughout the city since then.