BORDENTOWN CITY: The ‘berry’ best is on display

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   BORDENTOWN CITY — This autumn has seen the ‘best’ of downtown in more ways than one.
   The city was in the spotlight over the weekend as regional visitors flocked to its 23rd annual Cranberry Festival, which is run by the Downtown Bordentown Association.
   ”Saturday was absolutely jammed packed,” said Bordentown City Mayor James Lynch on Wednesday. “It’s unfortunate that it rained Sunday.”
   ”Approximately 20,000 people were here on Saturday,” said Doug Palmieri, president of Downtown Bordentown Association.
   The festival closed early this year, on Sunday after 1:30 p.m., due to rainfall, according to Mr. Palmieri. He said that in past years, 40,000 to 50,000 people have attended the two-day event.
   ”This is what we do,” said Mayor Lynch.
   Recently, Bordentown City’s downtown was named one of three 2012 Great Neighborhoods by the state’s branch of the American Planning Association.
   ”We’re ecstatic about it,” Mayor Lynch said.
   He thanked residents, including “anybody and everybody who volunteers their time” to benefit the city.
   The mayor also thanked Downtown Bordentown Association (DBA) for its efforts to promote the community.
   ”It’s very gratifying,” said Mr. Palmieri, who has lived in the city for nine years.
   The DBA president said, “We’re been very proactive in marketing all the good things about the town.”
   Over the past two years all of DBA’s budget, which earns revenue through fund-raisers, has gone to marketing the town, bringing new events into the city, and creating buzz through traditional and social media, Mr. Palmieri explained.
   ”There’s really a lot going on in Bordentown,” Mr. Palmieri said. “It’s really a very nice place to visit.”
   He added, “We’re graced with eight terrific restaurants.”
   Bordentown City is a 1-square mile community with approximately 3,900 residents. Historically, it served as a transportation hub from New York to Philadelphia in the 1700s.
   In addition to the city, Frenchtown Borough’s downtown in Hunterdon County and Pier Village in Long Branch City, Monmouth County, were also named Great Neighborhoods.
   The American Planning Association-New Jersey Chapter announced the state’s 2012 Great Places on Sept. 24.
   Mercer County’s Broad Street in Hopewell Borough and Essex County’s Church Street in Montclair City, were named Great Streets.
   Grove Street Plaza in Jersey City, Hudson County, Waverly & Lincoln Places in Madison Borough, Morris County, and Historic Perth Amboy Waterfront in Perth Amboy City, Middlesex County, all nabbed Great Public Spaces.
   ”We are pleased to recognize these special and unique places around New Jersey,” said Charles Latini, APA-NJ Chapter president, in a release announcing Bordentown City’s win. “Our 2012 Great Places reflect a tremendous amount of history, diversity and economic vitality, which we hope will inspire other communities to envision, plan and create their own great places.”
   Launched this year, the release stated that Great Places in New Jersey recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods and public spaces — three essential, but not exclusive components of exceptional communities.
   Latini added, “Given what we see as increasing market interest these days, the atmosphere, ambiance, and design these places exhibit to the planning and development world serve as great examples as to what other communities can do to create great places and thus strengthen their tax bases.”
For information, visit www.planning.org.
   
For information on the winning places, visit www.njplanning.org.