As winter wanes, it’s time to enjoy the wealth of cultural and recreational activities the spring season brings to Mercer County.

This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County news and April events, including an update on Trenton-Mercer Airport’s terminal project, our County Government Month poster contest, youth summer employment opportunities, a County bike-sharing program, Park Commission nature programs, upcoming shows at CURE Arena and more.

I encourage you to start shaking off those cold-weather cobwebs by going out and exploring all that Mercer County has to offer this month.

Brian M. Hughes
Mercer County Executive

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given Mercer County the green light to move forward with the design and construction of a new passenger terminal at Trenton-Mercer Airport, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced March 21.

 “This is great news for Trenton-Mercer Airport and the many thousands of travelers who pass through our passenger facility,” Mr. Hughes said. “We appreciate the FAA’s diligence in its review of the Environmental Assessment for the proposed new airport terminal, and we’re pleased that we have the go-ahead to advance this important project.”

Read more: Mercer gets OK to proceed with plan for new terminal

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes has announced a summer youth employment program that will provide paid internships and work readiness training to teens and young adults in the County. Priority is given to those who are economically disadvantaged or have barriers to employment; however, the program is open to all.

Mercer County’s Summer Youth Jobs Connection, which is being funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and coordinated by the Mercer County One-Stop Career Center, will benefit more than 100 youth ages 16 to 24 with summer employment meant to encourage a successful transition to the workforce.

Read more: Youth summer job applications begin April 1

County Executive Brian M. Hughes joined Mercer County Veteran Services in commemorating Vietnam War Veterans Day at a March 29 ceremony. Edward Mazzeo (pictured with Mr. Hughes after placing a memorial wreath), a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and former chief of Mercer County Veteran Services, served as keynote speaker for the event at the Mercer County Office Park in Ewing. Medina Wilson, chief of Mercer County Veteran Services, served as emcee. Mr. Hughes encouraged people to visit the Mercer County Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, which pays tribute to the 56 known service members from Mercer County who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

Beginning May 4, the New Jersey Plastic Pollution Reduction Act will prohibit retail stores, food service businesses and grocery stores from selling or providing their customers with single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags.

The County of Mercer, the Mercer County Park Commission and Verve have restarted the bike-share program at three locations around the County park system -- Mercer County Park, Rosedale Park and the Red Barn in Mercer Meadows.

Eight bikes are at each location and can be rented by downloading the Verve Micro-mobility Sharing app from the App Store or Google Play.

Read more: Mercer County bike-share program returns

The Mercer County Park Commission received five awards at the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA) Annual Awards Ceremony in Atlantic City on March 8. The Mercer County Wildlife Center, Howell Living History Farm and Mercer County Stables received awards in programming, recreation, design, visual and cultural arts.

“The addition of new programming, events and facility resources have opened a wide range of recreational and educational activities for the public,” said County Executive Brian M. Hughes. "These awards represent a collaborative effort to provide new opportunities to the community and attract new visitors, and we are so proud of the work of all our Park Commission employees under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Aaron T. Watson.”

Read more: Park Commission wins record 5 awards

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes encourages eligible taxpayers to take advantage of New Jersey’s expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC) program, which can provide anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars in relief to those who are eligible.

For tax year 2021, New Jersey taxpayers could receive a refundable credit of up to $2,691 with qualifying dependents or $601 without dependents. For more information on eligibility requirements and applying for the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit, visit njeitc.org.

Most Mercer County government offices will be closed Friday, April 15, 2022, in observance of Good Friday.

All branches of the Mercer County Library System will be closed April 15 for Good Friday and April 17 for Easter.

The following County offices and facilities will remain open: Trenton-Mercer Airport (except for administrative offices), Correction Center, Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Services Communication Center.

The Mercer Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a network of volunteers from the community who are prepared to help during times of disaster or emergency. These trained volunteers improve public health and safety by carrying out a variety of essential functions, often relieving the burden of other emergency responders. Step up and join now! Training is provided. Email or call MRC coordinator John Arulmohan at ja2@njlincs.net or (609) 989-6887.

The Mercer County Improvement Authority will host a drop-off program on Saturday, April 23, for easy and secure shredding of personal documents. Shredding will take place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to noon at Lot 4, 641 South Broad St., Trenton, across from the Mercer County Administration Building. Click here or on the flyer for more information.

From crafters to food purveyors, Mercer County is seeking vendors for the 10th annual Cultural Festival & Food Truck Rally, slated for Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds.

The annual festival showcases the region’s cultural diversity through the arts and crafts, dance demonstrations, music and cuisine. The festival organizers are seeking traditional artists and craft and food vendors to contribute to the wide variety of ethnicities and cultures that make up Mercer County. Interested parties should call (609) 278-2712 or email culturalfestival@mercercounty.org. The deadline to register is May 13.

Spring is here. Experience nature!

Upcoming Mercer County Park Commission nature programs include:

• “Eyes on Eagles” – Saturday, April 16, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (30-minute time slots). Free, all ages. Registration required.
• “Early Bird Walk” – Friday, April 29, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Fiddler's Creek lot at Baldpate Mountain. Free, teens and adults. Registration required.
• “Nature Under the Microscope” – Saturday, April 30, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (two sessions), Tulpehaking Nature Center. Free, all ages. Registration required.

For a complete list of Park Commission nature programs and registration information, click here or on the image.

The Mercer County Park Commission is accepting reservations for the five county-owned picnic areas for the 2022 season. The West and East Picnic Areas in Mercer County Park, Rosedale Picnic Area in Mercer Meadows, Princeton Country Club Picnic Area in West Windsor and Valley Road Picnic Area in Hopewell Township are open to in-county and out-of-county residents.

Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be made online through Community Pass. For more information, visit the Park Commission’s Picnic Areas page or email picnics@mercercounty.org.

Do you have a bike that you no longer use? Maybe you have one that your child has outgrown? Mercer County and the Park Commission are hosting a Bike Drive at several locations throughout the county on Saturday, April 9 (rain date April 16), from noon to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

• Ranger Headquarters, Mercer County Park, West Windsor
• Historic Hunt House, 197 Blackwell Road, Hopewell Township
• Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton
• Mercer County Wildlife Center, 1748 River Road, Hopewell Township

Vaccinations are free regardless of immigration or insurance status. Ages 5 and up are eligible. For the upcoming vaccination schedule and information, click here. 

A helping hand for homeowners in need

If you have experienced a financial hardship and an increase in housing-related expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that created a risk of mortgage delinquency, mortgage default, foreclosure or property tax lien, the Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help. Click here or on the flyer for more information and to apply.

As a result of COVID-19, many New Jerseyans are facing economic insecurity and are seeking benefits and resources to help them safely get back to work. Mercer’s One-Stop Career Center offers a variety of services to job seekers throughout the county, including free virtual job preparation workshops and links to job listings. Click here for information. The State’s COVID-19 Information Hub provides links to the New Jersey Career Network and other resources.Click here for information.

Support for post-COVID patients

The Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing program offers virtual workshops in self-care and emotional support for patients recovering from COVID-19 and those experiencing long-term effects of the virus. For more information, click here or on the image.