This edition of our Mercer Monthly newsletter highlights County government news as well as upcoming events. You’ll find stories about a pilot program to support young people and their families in the City of Trenton and a ropes course being installed at Mercer County Park; announcements about Mercer County's 2023 salute to Vietnam War veterans and our annual Bike Drive that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs; and more County news.

Mercer County has received a $1.9 million state grant to create a two-year pilot program to develop an innovative restorative and transformative justice continuum of care to support young people and their families in the City of Trenton, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced. The grant funding is being made available by the State of New Jersey’s Juvenile Justice Commission.

The first component of the pilot program will include a restorative justice hub, which is a physical space where Trenton youth and families can heal, reconnect and build healthy relationships in the community. The second component will include community-based re-entry wraparound services to be provided within the restorative justice hub. Read more.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes wants Mercer County Park visitors to know that the unusual-looking structure being built across the road from the Festival Grounds is the first leg of construction of a new ropes course and zip line area. Park users will be able to take an aerial adventure crossing bridges, balancing on ropes, climbing through obstacles, and riding the zip line. The ropes course will offer various levels of difficulty for children and adults alike.

“We are constantly looking for ways to attract new users to our park system and stay on the cutting edge of outdoor recreation offerings, so I’m excited that our Mercer County Park Commission under Executive Director Aaron T. Watson, advanced this project,” Mr. Hughes said. “I’m confident it will be well received and be another economic generator in our long list of active recreation amenities. Watch for its opening this summer."

Photo: Park Commission Executive Director Watson, County Executive Hughes and Park Commissioner Jim Schulz view the ropes course being built by Capela Construction Inc.

Mercer County and the Park Commission will host their third annual Bike Drive on Saturday, April 8, County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced. The County takes your old bikes -- no matter the condition -- and gives them to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County Bike Exchange, a volunteer-run organization that repairs donated bikes and sells them at modest prices at its Ewing location at Capitol Plaza, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs directly. Donations are tax-deductible.

“Our first two Bike Drives were a big success,” Mr. Hughes said, “and we’re happy to help promote bike-riding for both transportation and pleasure while helping in the efforts to make low-cost bicycles available to low- and moderate-income families.”

To donate a bike, drop it off on Saturday, April 8, between 12 noon and 4 p.m. at one of two locations: Ranger Headquarters at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, or the Historic Hunt House at 197 Blackwell Road in Hopewell Township. The rain date is April 15.

A recent annual inspection of the Mercer County Correction Center found the facility to be in full compliance with the requirements of the “Manual Standards for New Jersey Adult County Correctional Facilities,” County Executive Brian M. Hughes announced. The inspection was conducted in January by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, through its Office of County Services.

“I congratulate Warden Charles Ellis and his supervisors, officers, health care workers and others staff members on this achievement,” Mr. Hughes said. “The daily challenges they face in operating a century-old facility are enormous, and they are to be commended for ensuring the jail operates at a level that meets the state’s requirements.”

Among the many areas covered by the inspection were planning and design; personnel; training and staff development; management information system and records; use and control of security equipment; food service; sanitation; medical, dental and health services; access to the courts; disciplinary procedures; fiscal management; visits; and inmate services and programs.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds local businesses that the Mercer County Small Business Grant Program is accepting applications through its online portal. The Grant Program dedicates $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide direct aid to Mercer County small businesses that have likely experienced hardship from the COVID-19 disaster. 

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and local economy, providing jobs, careers and opportunity,” the County Executive said. “Successful businesses put money back into Mercer County through paychecks and taxes, which support the creation of other new small businesses.” Read more.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes invites the public to join him as the County celebrates Vietnam War Veterans Day on Wednesday, March 29. Presented by Mercer County Veteran Services, the event will take place at 11 a.m. at the Mercer County Office Park gym, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing.

In addition, Mercer County Veteran Services is seeking photos of those who served our country in Vietnam. Photos will be displayed on a continuous slide show on the Veteran Services web page. Photographs may be submitted by veterans or their family members. Please include the veteran’s name, unit and service dates, if known. All photos will become the property of Mercer County and will not be returned.

Submit photos by March 13 to MCVeteranServices@mercercounty.org or drop them off at Mercer County Veteran Services, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, or Mercer County Connection, 957 Highway 33, Hamilton.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open through June

LIHEAP is a federally funded program helping eligible Mercer families, older adults and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Click here for more information and click the flyer for income parameters.

March is Women's History Month

Mercer County draws strength and inspiration from women who came before us, and the remarkable women working among us today. They are part of our story, and a truly balanced and inclusive history recognizes how important women have always been in American society. To submit your event to our calendar of Women's History Month events, email contactus1@mercercounty.org

The Mercer County Park Commission is accepting reservations for the five county-owned picnic areas and the Mercer County Campground for the 2023 season, which begins April 1, but slots are filling up quickly. 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, and the campsites located at the East Picnic Area of Mercer County Park, 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. Click here to create your Community Pass account. Log-in to make your reservation using either MasterCard or Visa.

For more information, call the Recreation and Events Center at 609-443-8560 or visit the Picnic & Campgrounds page on the Mercer County website.

The 2023 season at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township is under way, including a full schedule of Saturday events that the whole family can enjoy. Saturday programs planned this coming month are as follows:

March 4 – A Visit from the Horse Doctor, Dentist & Shoer; March 11 – Workhorse Rides; March 18 – Sawmilling & Tree Planting; March 25 – Lambing

Click here for Howell Farm’s 2023 calendar of events.

Last call for ice skating!

The 2022-2023 season at the Mercer County Skating Center, located in Mercer County Park in West Windsor, will conclude with a public skate session on March 12. Find the schedule and more information here or call 609-371-1766.

The Mercer County Improvement Authority's first Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event of 2023 will be Saturday, March 25. It's time to visit those corners of your shed, garage and home office to weed out offending products and keep them out of our landfills. Click on the flyer for more information.

Upcoming events and shows include: 

• WWE 'Road to WrestleMania,' March 5
• Disney on Ice, March 16-19
• Punk Rock Flea Market, April 1-2
• Los Tigres Del Norte, April 14

TICKET ORDERS

The heart of Mercer County government operations is the McDade Administration Building at 640 S. Broad St., Trenton. But do you know the namesake?

In 1987, the County Administration Building was renamed and dedicated to the memory of Joyce L. McDade, who served the public as the Clerk to the Board of Freeholders, now known as commissioners, from 1974 to 1986. 

Mrs. McDade was the first female freeholder clerk as well as being the first woman to hold a top-level administrative position in the history of Mercer County. She was succeeded in 1987 by Jerlene "Cookie" Worthy, who today continues to serve as Clerk to the Board, overseeing that office and its myriad duties. 

Photo: The plaque in the vestibule of the McDade Administration Building in Trenton. 

Clinics for all ages

Tuesday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Children's Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Ave., Trenton 08611

Pediatric clinics – 6 months to 11 years only

Saturday, April 1, West Windsor Branch of Mercer County Library System, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction 08550

Saturday, April 29, Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence 08648