One Of Oldest Town Squares, From 1660, Is Revived In Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Bergen Square, in the center of Jersey City, is one of the oldest "established town squares" in America, according to historians — dating to 1660. That year, the square was established in the village of Bergen, where Dutch settlers lived.

Now, the city has transformed surface parking lots into 5,400 square feet of pedestrian plaza and park space.

This past week, Mayor Steven Fulop joined the City Council, local dignitaries, and community members to cut the ribbon on the newly revitalized Bergen Square.

"Bergen Square was established in 1660 as the village of Bergen on land long-utilized by the Lenni Lenape Native American people," the city notes in a history. "It was the first urban square established in the colonies and is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in New Jersey.Streets like Vroom, Newkirk, and Van Reypen were named for prominent families that lived in Bergen Square during the period of establishment."

After years of working with residents and neighborhood organizations, the Department of Infrastructure led the revitalization project, highlighting the area’s history while transforming surface parking lots into 5,400 square feet of pedestrian plaza and park space.

“Our vision for Bergen Square is to build a usable outdoor public space in the heart of Journal Square for everyone to enjoy, with an important emphasis on the valuable role this area and Jersey City has played in our nation’s history going back thousands of years,” said Mayor Fulop.

Dr. James Dievler, Bergen Square Committee Member, Lead Organizer of Bergen Square Day, and Chairman of the Journal Square Community Association History Committee, said, "In addition to being an ancient, critical crossroads for the native Lenni Lenape for over a thousand years, Bergen Square is the first permanent European settlement in Jersey City and New Jersey. Since 1660 and before, Bergen Square has been the site of community exchange and cross-cultural interaction."

The city noted that "By relocating public parking, the city is not only increasing the number of available parking spots and raising the intersection for pedestrian safety but is also upgrading one of the busiest public bus stops in the city and creating a safer, more streamlined drop-off area for nearby Pre-K through 8th grade students attending the Martin Luther King, Jr. School, P.S. #11."

Situated along Bergen Avenue between McGinley Square and Journal Square, the redesigned public space boasts an area for community events, traffic safety upgrades, a newly planted 30-foot oak tree, and native greenery.

Additional improvements include:

• 14 additional on-street parking spaces
• Improved traffic flow
• Public transit stops with bus shelters
• Native landscaping and green infrastructure
• Relocation of school bus drop-off for P.S. 11 to Academy Street
• Removal of surface parking lots while creating more parking opportunities
• Historic signage

In 2018, Mayor Fulop formed the Bergen Square Committee, launching an effort to strengthen the area’s historical identity and activate it as a vibrant public space.

The Journal Square Special Improvement District will partner with the city to clean and maintain the plaza amenities daily.

Chris Bernardo, who leads the Journal Square Special Improvement District, said, “The city’s commitment to developing open and accessible public spaces is on full display at the renovated Bergen Square plaza. The thoughtful design and amenities will enable us to program the space with activities for customers, residents, and students.”

Three-Acre Park Underway Nearby

A half mile from Bergen Square, the Fulop Administration is moving forward with plans to build a brand new 3-acre Courthouse Park, which will soon be the first large park in Journal Square.

While there are no public parks currently within walking distance, a 30-foot tall oak tree was planted in the southeast quadrant of Bergen Square to establish immediate benefits of shade and greening the space.

“With the Bergen Square revitalization project, we are introducing outdoor recreational space to the rapidly growing Journal Square area with the creation of a welcoming public space that celebrates the past, present, and future of Jersey City,” said Barkha Patel, director of the Department of Infrastructure.