Tag Archives: Jersey City

Jersey City Animal Care & Control Achieves 2025 No-Kill Shelter Recognition from Best Friends Animal Society

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Jersey City’s Animal Care and Control has been officially recognized as a No-Kill Shelter for 2025 in Best Friends Animal Society’s Annual Shelter Statistics Report. 

Since the city took over operations at the animal shelter in January, over 1,000 animals have been surrendered by owners.  This year, Animal Care and Control successfully saved over 90% of the dogs and cats under their care.

Jersey City Celebrates Two Major Park Revitalizations Amid Rising National Park Rankings

ParkScore Index Ranks Jersey City Among Nation’s Best for Park Equity and Access

 

Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Department of Infrastructure, and the Division of Parks joined community members and local officials today to cut the ribbon at two revitalized neighborhood parks, Pavonia Marion Park and Thomas McGovern Playground, marking another significant step in the city’s commitment to equitable, high-quality open space for all residents. 

With a combined investment of more than $2.6 million, the transformative upgrades mark another milestone in the city’s mission to enhance community infrastructure, promote healthy lifestyles, and prioritize environmental sustainability.

 “Investments in our parks are investments in our people,” said Mayor Fulop.  “These two renovated parks are prime examples of how we are working together with residents to reimagine our public spaces in a way that is community-driven, environmentally responsible, and future-focused.”

ACCESS JC Fridays on June 6th, 2025 Features Free Arts Events with a Focus on Accessibility

June 6th, 2025

Art House Productions (Executive Artistic Director, Meredith Burns; Director of JC Fridays, Sunjay Venkatraman) is thrilled to announce the lineup for ACCESS JC Fridays, taking place on Friday, June 6th. Jersey City’s premier quarterly arts festival, which is free and open to the public, will feature a diverse array of events, including visual art exhibitions, music performances, studio tours, and more, hosted at local businesses, galleries, studios, and arts organizations. Attendees are encouraged to explore multiple venues to discover new art and engage with the local arts scene. Complete event listings and an interactive map are available at www.jcfridays.com.

Are You Ready for the Cherry Blossoms?

Spring arrived on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, and with Spring comes cherry Blossom season, which will also arrive in a few weeks.

Typically, in New Jersey, the peak bloom happens between the second and third week of April. But with warmer winters and earlier springs, cherries have been blooming earlier in recent years in New Jersey.

There is nothing prettier than watching Cherry Blossoms pop up. with clusters of these trees in parks, and gardens and lining some streets.

In Hudson County, you can find Cherry Blossom Trees in Bayonne’s Stepehn Gregg Park on Kennedy Boulevard also in Jersey City’s; Liberty State Park off Audrey Zapp Drive, in Historic downtown Jersey City, Hamilton Park, and in Riverview-Fisk Park Palisade Avenue, Jersey City

Cherry Blossoms Bloom around the State of New Jersey

There are also plenty of parks where you can see the Cherry Blossoms bloom:

  • Branch Brook Park, Essex County.
  • New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Passaic County.
  • Chapel Avenue, Cherry Hill.
  • Deep Cut Gardens, Monmouth County.
  • David C. Shaw Arboretum, Monmouth County.
  • Verona Park, Essex County.
  • Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
  • Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
  • Warinanco Park. Roselle
  • Holmdel Park & David C. Shaw Arboretum, Holmdel
  • Sayen House & Gardens, Hamilton

Jersey City Ranks as 2nd Most Ethnically Diverse City in the Nation

2nd most diverse city in State of New Jersey

The Fulop Administration is proud to announce Jersey City has been recognized as the second most ethnically diverse city in the United States, according to a recent study by WalletHub.  The study evaluated over 500 of the largest U.S. cities, assessing key indicators such as ethnicity and race, language, and birthplace diversity.

As noted by Mayor Fulop “Our diverse community is one of our strongest assets, bringing together unique cultures, perspectives, and talents that sets us apart,” “This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and welcome with equal opportunities for all.”

Jersey City has consistently ranked among the top in previous years, often securing the first position.  In its findings, WalletHub points to several key aspects:

  • In Jersey City, white people are not the largest ethnic group, unlike in the country as a whole.
  • Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group in the city, at around 26%, while Asians are 25% of the population, White people are 24%, and Black people are 20%.
  • Many people in Jersey City speak foreign languages at home, which shows that people are preserving and passing down their cultures.

The city’s dedication to inclusivity is underscored by its status as a sanctuary city and the Fulop Administration’s establishment of the Division of Immigrant Affairs and Office of Diversity and Inclusion.  Additionally, the Mayor’s commitment to diversity recruitment has led to minority representation throughout all ranks in the police and fire departments.  These efforts support diverse communities by providing resources and services that promote integration and equal opportunity.

As Jersey City continues to evolve, its diverse population remains a cornerstone of its identity, driving cultural enrichment and economic growth.

To view the full study, visit Wallethub.com.

Jersey City Mayor Fulop Delivered his 2024-2025 State of the City Address as He Begins His Final Year in Office

Fulop delivers last State of the City Message

Mayor Steven M. Fulop delivered his 11th annual State of the City address to a large crowd inside City Hall Council Chambers Thursday night, outlining a bold vision for the future of Jersey City and highlighting the city’s accomplishments over the past year.

In his live-streamed address, Mayor Fulop celebrated the historic progress made over the past 12 years in office, raising the bar for what governments can achieve at every level and establishing Jersey City as the economic backbone for the state of New Jersey.

Mayor Fulop credited the community partnerships, department leaders, and city employees for driving progress and putting the administration’s bold ideas into action.  “Twelve years ago, we set out to make Jersey City a model for urban success. Today, we stand together as a city transformed, a place where families thrive, businesses flourish, and opportunities exist for everyone.”

Notable 2024 highlights from the State of the City address include:

Art House Productions’ Snow Ball Gala: Entertainment Lineup, Festivities & Honorees

Art House Productions Snowball Entertainment 2025

Come one, come all to the magical Snow Ball! Art House Productions and presenting sponsor SILVERMAN proudly announce the 17th Annual Snow Ball Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 8 PM to 11 PM, with an exclusive VIP Honoree Dinner starting at 6 PM. The event will be held at Hudson County Community College’s Culinary Arts School and Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St, Jersey City, NJ 07306. This year’s theme, Spectacle of Wonder, brings the enchantment of the circus to life as we celebrate the vibrant arts and culture scene in Jersey City and honor the incredible individuals who champion Art House Productions’ mission to support artists and enrich Hudson County through exceptional arts programming. Creative black-tie attire is encouraged.

Art House is thrilled to honor the following outstanding contributors to Jersey City’s arts community:

  • Hudson County Executive: Craig Guy
  • Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Producer: Eddie Baez
  • Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID): Rachel Sieg
  • Artist, Curator, and Arts Advocate: Bryant Small
  • President and CEO of Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas Health: Michael Prilutsky

HCCC’s Hudson Scholars Program Thrives with $100,000 Investment of Provident Bank Foundation

Caption: With the support of a $100,000 grant from the Provident Bank Foundation, the Hudson Scholars Program has created significantly improved outcomes for hundreds of HCCC students. Pictured: Hudson Scholars graduates at HCCC’s 2024 Commencement.  

The Signature Grant helped the College’s award-winning program expand academic opportunities and improve student success through an innovative approach.

A $100,000 Signature Grant from Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) made a profound impact on the lives of over 400 Hudson County Community College (HCCC) students who participated in the award-winning Hudson Scholars program and are now HCCC graduates.

In 2023, PBF awarded a series of $100,000 Signature Grants for three different funding priorities: Education; Community Enrichment; and Health, Youth, & Families. The grants fund the creation or expansion of innovative programs that address systemic challenges in our communities and their root causes.

Fulop Administration & New Jersey Symphony Announce New Permanent Headquarters & Performance Hall Located in Jersey City for Premier Symphony Orchestra Fulop Administration

New 550+ Seat Venue in Jersey City to Focus on both Live Performances and Continued Inner City Youth Education

Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the New Jersey Symphony announced today the renowned Symphony’s relocation to a new state-of-the-art, 44,000-square-foot theater in Jersey City’s downtown Powerhouse Arts District. 

Today’s announcement marks an important new chapter for the Symphony and Jersey City, offering a dedicated permanent location that will serve the local community and contribute to the Symphony’s ongoing activities across the state.

Jersey City’s Pet Project gets Boost from NBCUni “Clear the Shelters” Campaign, Helping Shelter Animals Find Forever Homes & $100k in Matching Donations

Jersey City pet services

Jersey City Animal Care and Control (JCACC) has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 10th annual Clear the Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign from August 10 through September 10.  Since its inception in 2015, Clear the Shelters has helped more than one million pets find new homes and raised millions of dollars for participating shelters and rescues.? Animal shelters and rescues across the country are facing economic hardships due to a historically high number of pet surrenders and feral overpopulation.

This year, Greater Good Charities, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and The Animal Rescue Site are joining NBCUniversal Local’s Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption and donation campaign.  They have teamed up to help raise funds for participating animal welfare organizations across the country via ClearTheSheltersFund.org. For the next two weeks, they will contribute $100,000 in matching donation dollars.

Jersey City has enlisted the expertise of Behavior Plus to work bi-weekly with our staff and animals to enrich, maintain, and develop adoptability.  On-site veterinarians perform routine and emergency medical care for the animals in the shelter’s care.

Mayor Steven M. Fulop put Jersey City’s new shelter under the care of Health and Human Services last winter and has watched closely as the new management, who answers directly to the mayor, is improving the lives of surrendered and stray animals. “The shelter is now open and accessible to residents six days a week or with an appointment.  Additionally, we continue to add new services to improve the lives of strays and pets that end up in the shelter.”

As part of these efforts, the JCACC will take its pets public on September 8 with an event on Barrow Street to help find homes for shelter animals.  Residents will be able to meet and adopt our four-legged shelter friends. Working with the HSS’s Partnership for a Healthier JC, the Historic Downtown SID, K-9dergarden, Fussy Friends, Barky Way, and Hound About Town, the JCACC will offer adoptions free for qualified pet parents. Adoption fees are dropped to $10 in the weeks up until the event, and there are no adoption fees for veterans or seniors who want to bring some love into their lives.

“The goal is to find homes for as many of our wonderful dogs and cats as possible, says HHS Director Stacey Flanagan, “Jersey City residents have big hearts and love animals, and now is the time when their generosity can be doubled.”

To contribute, go to the Jersey City Animal Care & Control donation page.  This year’s donation page was built courtesy of Fundraise Up, an online donation platform that helps nonprofits grow revenue.  When donating to the Clear the Shelters Fund, donors have the option to cover transaction fees with their donation so that 100% goes directly to the shelter or rescue of their choice.

About Jersey City Animal Care & Control

On January 1, 2024, Jersey City launched a full-service Animal Care and Control shelter to ensure the humane treatment for animals in need by establishing 24/7 operations, on-site dog licensing with adoptions, expanding operating hours for more public access, and working with the community to create a robust volunteer program.