Mayor Fulop, Senator McKnight & Councilwoman Ridley Advance Citywide Community Center Expansion with $1M Investment in Ward A
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Mayor Fulop, Senator McKnight, & Councilwoman Ridley Advance Citywide Community Center Expansion with $1M Investment in Ward A
Jersey City’s Community Center Network Aims to Strengthen Neighborhoods & Opportunity Citywide
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joins
Senator Angela McKnight, Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, and
community members to announce
a major milestone for establishing the Bayside Community Center with a $1 million investment secured by the state senator through the American Rescue Plan to fund the long-anticipated, ground-up facility, expanding access to recreation, education, and community services.
Bayside is the first of six planned community centers to be built across the city under the 2024 ordinance to establish recreation centers in each ward. The initiative is part of the Fulop Administration’s ongoing efforts to expand equitable access to community resources and ensure that every neighborhood has the necessary infrastructure to thrive.
“With this $1 million investment, we are moving forward with this community-driven project to provide all residents with access to safe spaces and vital programs that support health, education, and opportunity,” said
Mayor Fulop. “Centered around each neighborhood’s needs and priorities, the new community centers will include flexible spaces for youth programming, fitness and wellness activities, educational workshops, cultural programming, and community-based services for all residents.”
Located within Bayside Park in the city’s Greenville section, design plans for the new multi-purpose hub will be developed with direct community input to ensure the facility reflects local priorities. More public meetings are being scheduled for 2026 to ensure residents’ feedback is incorporated.
“For years, residents have called for more accessible, high-quality community spaces,” said
Councilwoman Ridley. “This brings us closer to delivering a center in Ward A that truly serves the people who live here and strengthens the fabric of our neighborhood. We held the first community meeting last year and have made the commitment under the next administration to continue those meetings so that we can maximize this opportunity and fulfill residents’ needs.”
The grant funding was secured by
Senator McKnight, who championed the project as part of the American Rescue Plan’s focus on long-term community recovery and investment.
“The American Rescue Plan was designed to rebuild communities and invest directly in people,” adds
Senator McKnight. “Securing this funding for the Bayside Community Center ensures that federal resources are being used where they matter most by creating a permanent space for connection, learning, and support in a neighborhood that deserves it.”
Research consistently shows that well-designed community centers contribute to improved public safety, stronger educational outcomes, and greater civic engagement.
A portion of the funding will support design and planning, with community engagement sessions to be scheduled to gather resident feedback before construction proceeds. An initial public meeting was held to kick the process off with more to be scheduled in 2026.
Adopted in early 2022, the Jersey City
Master Plan calls for expanding accessible recreation and community facilities. Each new center will be managed through a collaborative partnership between the
Jersey City Department of Recreation and Youth Development and the
Jersey City Free Public Library, ensuring that the facilities cater to the evolving needs of our diverse community, from sports and fitness to educational and cultural programming.
All media inquiries should be directed to Kim Wallace-Scalcione at [email protected].