DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The Colonial Park Mall has been listed for sale on a realty website, just five months after it was sold for $8.8 million The property at 4600 Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township was built in 1960, renovated in 1990, and is now listed for lease at $9 million The purchase in September happened after weather damages temporarily closed the location and hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid fees were due to the township PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Colonial Park Mall sold for $8.8M following weather damage closure READ MORE | Colonial Park Mall up for auction after months of financial struggles The listing says the current sale condition is a redevelopment project with the property subtype being storefront retail and residential The building size is over 300,000 square feet but the one listing says it's seeking retail space for the first floor which has a total of 68,500 square feet available It's unclear why September's buyer has relisted the property the Colonial Park Mall was prepared to be bought by Stonewall Capital The financiers at Stonewall Capital ultimately terminated their offer citing “due diligence” as the prime factor in their decision Colonial Park Mall reportedly owed Lower Paxton Township over $250,000 in unpaid storm water and sewer fees before a surprisingly quick payment cleared the mall’s debt right before the deadline Stonewall still expressed interest in buying the business but failed to reach a new agreement with the owners The current listing says the redevelopment project is seeking department stores Public Invited to Pedal the Parkway on May 3 2025 Contact: Sandra Tennyson Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices An aerial view of the Colonial Park Mall on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.comIt’s been more than six years since Bon-Ton went out of business and closed all of its stores, including a location at the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township the large sign still remains on the mall’s most visible space along Jonestown Road But soon people will be jumping inside the former department store The mall’s new owner — who owns several trampoline parks — has big plans for the former Bon-Ton location Here’s the latest on what we know concerning the newly purchased Colonial Park Mall The 64-year-old Colonial Park Mall was purchased in September by 4600 Jonestown Road LLC, a Pennsylvania liability company from Kohan Retail Investment Group, for $8.8 million, according to Dauphin County property records. The company lists Zi Qian Zhang of Fall River, Massachusetts, as its owner. Zhang, owner of JZ Real Estate, has been a real estate professional for more than three decades, according to his company’s website. The sale includes the mall’s main building and five other buildings on the property not owned by Kohan Retail What we know so far is only what the new owner has planned for the former Bon-Ton store told PennLive that his client wants to submit plans with the township to open a Fun City Adventure Park in a portion of the mall’s former Bon-Ton store He said Zhang owns 18 trampoline parks on the East Coast is potentially interested in a project in the remaining portion of the Bon-Ton space The mall was finally purchased in September but it had come close to being sold or auctioned off several times in recent years it appeared the mall would be auctioned off but a listing was abruptly withdrawn a day before the event was to take place The mall has suffered financially, and last year it escaped a sheriff’s sale at the last minute after Kohan Retail paid off a $319,539.06 bill to the Lower Paxton Township Authority just 25 minutes before the deadline At one point the mall owed $560,200.26 in unpaid taxes last year to the county but following the sale, the county’s website said those bills have all been caught up A sale also appeared to be on the horizon last year but Maryland developer Stonewall Capital terminated its sales agreement It wanted to develop a mixed-use community at the site Lower Paxton Township created a new “Towne Center” zoning district The township then rezoned the mall in 2021 to the “Towne Center” zoning district There are about 30 businesses that remain at the 344,421-square-foot mall including: In recent years the mall has seen the closings of: Rue21, Colonial Park Cinemas 4 The mall was closed for six days last week following a bad storm. The shopping center reopened over the weekend There are a few visible areas of water damage in the ceiling There are a number of buckets around the mall that were used to collect water PennLive Reporter Sue Gleiter contributed to this story Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) The Colonial Park Mall on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.comThe Colonial Park Mall is on the market … again The mall owner — Massachusetts-based 4600 Jonestown Road LLC a Pennsylvania liability company — and its owner — Zi Qian Zhang — have put the mall on the market Zhang purchased the mall for $8.8 million in September with the goal of opening an indoor trampoline park in the former Bon-Ton department store at the mall on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township He also wanted to lease out the shopping center and increase its value Ryan said that Zhang ultimately decided to put the mall up for sale because Zhang’s vision and the township’s differed He also contended that communication with Lower Paxton Township officials has been frustrating But an official with Lower Paxton told PennLive that the municipality has been working with the mall’s new owner and even came to an agreement that helped expedited construction of the trampoline park and he is placing the rest of the building that he purchased on the market The sale doesn’t include five buildings on pad sites at the mall including LongHorn Steakhouse and Red Lobster It also doesn’t include Boscov’s or the former Sears building Ryan said that Zhang has received a building permit for part of the Bon-Ton to build the indoor trampoline park He also hopes to attract a retailer for the other part of The Bon-Ton Ryan said Zhang owns 25 indoor trampoline parks and has had success in buying shopping centers and filling up the retail spaces He said that Zhang would put up the main part of the mall building for sale for a while to see if there is any interest Zhang ultimately wanted to put the indoor trampoline park in the former Bon-Ton building and rent out the rest of the building but that didn’t match the desire of township officials to demolish and redevelop the property He said Zhang is not a builder and that he typically takes large shopping centers with vacancies and turns them around “[Zhang] feels at this point he may not be the right fit under the circumstances,” Ryan said In 2021, the township changed the zoning at the mall to a new Towne Center District to facilitate “walkable and attractive mixed-use development centers of a sustainable density to create a sense of place.” Some of the other permitted uses in the Towne Center zoning district include: galleries; museums; theaters; restaurants; studios for dance or photography; and indoor sports facilities for racquet sports Ryan said that a redevelopment project could be successful at the location There’s a lot of commercial traffic along there maybe someone is going to fulfill the dream that some people in the [township] have,” he said Ryan did give Lower Paxton credit for creating the new zoning district that could help someone succeed at that location but he also said that communication with township officials hasn’t been great and that they were getting different responses about how to proceed Ryan said he negotiated with the township’s lawyer to develop a plan to move forward communications manager for Lower Paxton Township He said in a statement that the municipality did work with the mall’s owner “It is not true that we did not work cooperatively with the mall owner making it clear how they could move forward with development,” he said “The agreement’s goal was to allow them to expedite their project faster than the normal process would allow the owners received the demolition and building permits they needed to start on their proposed fun center.” Ryan said Zhang does want to work with township officials “If the [township] is fortunate enough to do business with Zi Qian Zheng The township itself has seen several changes in recent months centering around the resignations of three of its five supervisors Township Supervisor Chris Judd replaced Zoumas as vice chair Judd’s resignation was expected to be accepted on Tuesday night RJ Brunelli & Co. is the real estate company that is listing the property. A real estate listing says that the asking price for the property is $9 million Shoppers enter Bon-Ton at the Colonial Park Mall in 1994 The department store operated at the shopping center from 1987 to 2018.Harrisburg Patriot-News Before the mall was finally purchased in September, it had come close to being sold or auctioned off several times in recent years. Last summer, it appeared the mall would be auctioned off, but a listing was abruptly withdrawn a day before the auction was to take place A sale also appeared to be on the horizon in 2023, but Maryland developer Stonewall Capital terminated its sales agreement There are about 26 businesses that remain at the mall a few shoppers were walking through the mall while at least two areas were closed off and buckets and caution signs were placed in those locations The mall has been closed at least twice in the last year after storms In recent years, the mall has seen the closings of dozens of businesses, including Rue21, Colonial Park Cinemas 4 Boscov’s department store at Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township “I do know that we continue to do well regardless of what’s happening because we’ve got very loyal customers and very loyal co-workers,” he said Boscov declined to comment on the sale of the mall since he hasn’t spoken to the new owner yet “I’m looking forward to working with the mall owner to see what we can do to make life better for everybody,” he said Last April as the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township was failing questions began to arise about the future of the Boscov’s store at the mall Boscov made a special visit to the store to ease the worries of the store’s employees assuring them that the store wasn’t going anywhere “We’re going to be here for the next 100 years,” he told employees at the time Boscov’s owns its store at the Colonial Park Mall had agreed to buy the mall and redevelop it But that company later pulled out of the deal for unspecified reasons The mall has suffered financially, and last July it escaped a sheriff’s sale at the last minute after Kohan Retail paid off a $319,539.06 bill to the Lower Paxton Township Authority just 25 minutes before the deadline previously told PennLive that his client wants to submit plans with the township to open a Fun City Adventure Park in a portion of the mall’s former Bon-Ton store There are about 30 businesses that remain at the 344,421-square-foot mall The Boscov’s store has been at the mall for about 38 years Contact: Sandra Tennyson YORKTOWN, Va. – Yesterday, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams joined a celebration in Colonial National Historical Park marking the completion of a $24 million shoreline restoration project supported by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund “Millions of visitors travel to this incredible park every year to learn about our country’s history but to help protect the past we must look to the future,” said Sams “GAOA and other funding sources are part of a concerted effort to address substantial infrastructure improvements and maintenance repair needs in national parks.” and sea level rise had altered a 3-mile stretch of the York River shoreline resulting in severe erosion and shoreline loss that threatened archeological sites and the stability of a section of the Colonial Parkway funded with approximately $12 million from GAOA and $12 million from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) reinforced the infrastructure of the scenic road and extended its life expectancy the project increased the height of the embankment and enhanced or added vital wetland and marsh habitat to guard against future shoreline loss and other impacts of climate change Supported by revenue from energy development GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation and enjoyment for current and future visitors Additional funding for this project came from FLREA fee dollars collected in the parks demonstrating the importance of generating and using park entrance and amenity fees to enhance the visitor experience address deferred maintenance and repair needs In addition to the York River Shoreline Stabilization project the Great American Outdoors Act is funding an approximately $123 million repair and reconstruction of about 10 miles of the oldest sections of the Colonial Parkway The project is the first major rehabilitation project on the parkway since its full length was opened to traffic in 1957 and signage; rehabilitate bridges and tunnels; install a stormwater management system; and improve overall safety www.nps.gov Demolition at Harrisburg East Mall where former Great Escape movie theater and JCPenney turned Boscovs store stood The owners of the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township plan to transform the shopping center into the Swatara Exchange The Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township was sold this year as tenants continue to leave And the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township marked half a century in business Below we take a look at what happened in 2024: Demolition on the Macy’s store at the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comDan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com most of the tenants that had remained at the Harrisburg Mall had until Jan retailers and other businesses — some who had been at the shopping center for decades — packed up and left the mall in January including: February - A few tenants left the mall in February including: By the end of the month, demolition had begun at the Harrisburg Mall John Properties — the owner of the mall — submitted a land development plan to the township and also proposed that the Harrisburg Mall property would be subdivided into seven proposed lots The former Toys ‘R’ Us building was already separated from the larger property Signs posted on the doors at several entrances at the mall read “This entrance is permanently closed DXL and H&R Block remain open and have their own exterior entrances.” H&R Block has closed its location at the Harrisburg Mall.Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.com May - By May, H&R Block had left the mall. June - Men’s apparel chain DXL Big + Tall left the mall The former Toys “R” Us building at 3405 Paxton St. next to the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township “Demolition has continued throughout the interior of the mall as we finalize the 2nd & Charles temporary move to the former Toys R’ Us building,” St John Properties said in a provided statement to PennLive in November Black Friday shoppers line up for the 5 a.m opening of Bass Pro Shops at the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township The Harrisburg Mall property is down to three tenants — Bass Pro Shops Applebee’s Grill + Bar and 2nd & Charles John Properties plans to build the Swatara Exchange which will include 13,600 square feet of single-story office space and nearly 200,000 square feet of single-story multi-use space About 50,000 square feet of retail space and two retail pad sites will be marketed to restaurants convenience stores and other potential tenants Lane Bryant has closed at the High Pointe Commons shopping center at 4634 High Pointe Blvd in Swatara Township.Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.com March 2024 - Colonial Park Cinemas 4 permanently closed on March 4. An on-site water main break caused the mall to close for a day May - Rue21 announced that it was closing all of its stores including the one at the Colonial Park Mall The store had been at the mall for a decade the mall had about 33 occupants and 43 vacancies June - The Colonial Park Mall was set to go up for auction on the commercial real estate website, Ten-X but it was postponed the Colonial Park Mall was set to go up for auction again with a starting bid is at $2.1 million an employee with Ten-X confirmed to PennLive that the listing had been withdrawn Fyre Lounge & Bar opened at the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township.Sue Gleiter November - Fyre Lounge & Bar closed on Nov 2 after one year in business other businesses that left the mall included Spencer’s Mall Tailor & Cleaners relocated to Colonial Park from the Harrisburg Mall the mall’s occupants include: Battle 5 Extraction Longhorn Steakhouse and Colonial Park Barbers The mall has about 26 occupants and about 52 vacancies Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township is celebrating its 50th anniversary Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comDan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com 3506 Capital City Mall Drive in Lower Allen Township the parent company of the Capital City Mall exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time since 2020 The company said that through the reorganization plan it reduced its total debt by approximately $835 million The company added that as a result of its corporate reorganization and consolidation of equity holders PREIT exited bankruptcy as a private company and was no longer a co-owner of the Fashion District Philadelphia The Capital City Mall remained open throughout the bankruptcy process The Miniso store at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township which specializes in household and consumer goods including cosmetics The HBG Jewelers kisok at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township August - HBG Jewelers opened a kiosk at the mall Asoul Ramen at Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township The menu is heavy on authentic Japanese ramen The food court at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township the parking lot at the Capital City Mall was full the food court was bustling and the shopping center was crowded with customers The mall has about 90 occupants (not including temporary kiosks) and one vacancy as of Dec (WHP) — The Colonial Park Mall in Dauphin County will be going up for auction on July 15 through July 17 Local officials from Dauphin County and Lower Paxton Township are ecstatic for the auction to get underway but not everyone is excited for the mall to be sold the future of the small business is up in the air Cameron Campanella said he hasn’t heard from any local officials about what the auction could mean for his business the lease he currently has is grandfathered in and he still has a few years left on it “We have a lease where we are supposed to be protected for another couple years the Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors Chair Justin Fleming said something has to be done with the current state of the Colonial Park Mall They said they view the auction as an opportunity the township rezoned the land for a town center “I think with the zoning change to the town center it’s going to bring a little bit of everything,” Lindsey said Lindsey said the township rezoned the land as a town center to spur redevelopment in Lower Paxton Campanella said he is hopeful to be a part of that redevelopment Lindsey said the redevelopment would not only bring new businesses and apartments to the area the township had to cut the grass at the Colonial Park Mall The money to do that comes from taxpayer dollars She said the township is also not getting any sort of taxes from the Colonial Park Mall and they're not paying school taxes,” Lindsey said Fleming currently has legislation moving through the State House that would bring about more of these town centers across the Commonwealth to take the place of dying malls House Bill 2174 would incentivize developers through low interest loans and grant money private partnership where developers would put in some funding and the state would kick in some funding,” Fleming said He said he believes his bill is the way to go about saving the areas around dying malls the Colonial Park Mall joins the Harrisburg mall “We now know that folks are less likely to go in person to shop for goods We now know that the attractiveness of malls is waning,” Fleming said Campanella said his goal is to have his barber shop open for decades to come Lindsey said the Boscovs at the mall will be staying because it owns the building The 4600 Jonestown Road property was finally listed for sale on Ten-X at a starting bid of $2.1M READ MORE | Existing agreement terminated for Colonial Park Mall sale The public back-and-forth concerning the future of Colonial Park Mall caused confusion amongst shoppers and shop owners renting space inside the mall. READ MORE | Colonial Park Mall shop owners demand answers on sale of mall Store owners expressed their fears of new management and even the potential for the mall to close forcing store owners to look for new real estate or face closure themselves The online auction for the mall property will begin on June 25 and run through June 27 .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.comUPDATE: The auction listing for the mall has been withdrawn. This week the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township will go up for auction The auction will begin at noon today on the commercial real estate website, Ten-X, and run through July 17 Colonial Park Mall on Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township The main mall building at 4600 Jonestown Road is up for auction The 344,421-square-foot mall was built in 1960 is at 29% capacity and has 3,678 parking spaces The owner of the shopping center is Kohan Retail Investment Group Longhorn Steakhouse and Mountz Jewelers aren’t owned by Kohan Retail and aren’t part of the auction Jim Boscov, CEO of Boscov’s, said last year that Boscov’s will remain open Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has closed dozens of locations but Yes, the mall’s owner avoided a sheriff’s sale in July by paying a $319,539.06 bill to the Lower Paxton Township Authority for unpaid sewer and stormwater bills The town center zoning district allows for things like upscale housing a mix of certain retail uses and professional office uses The Colonial Park Mall as businesses reopen in Dauphin County on June 19 Yes, the mall remains open. The Colonial Park Mall has about 33 occupants, down from about 39 last February, and more than 43 vacancies. This year, Rue21 and Colonial Park Cinemas 4 closed .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Sue Gleiter | sgleiter@pennlive.comThe Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township has been sold after years of turmoil 4600 Jonestown Road LLC, a Pennsylvania liability company, purchased the mall this month from Kohan Retail Investment Group, for $8.8 million, according to Dauphin County property records. The company lists Zi Qian Zhang of Fall River, Massachusetts, as its owner. Zhang, owner of JZ Real Estate, has been a real estate professional for more than three decades, according to his company’s website. Zhang and Kohan Retail didn’t respond when reached for comment the mall in recent years has faced an uncertain future Occupancy at the 344,421-square-foot mall is about 29% The mall has around 30 tenants. It has seen a long list of retailers and other businesses depart the facility in recent years. This year, Rue21 and Colonial Park Cinemas 4 closed and Spencer’s relocated to a nearby shopping center but a listing was abruptly withdrawn a day before the auction was to take place The mall has suffered financially, and last year escaped a sheriff’s sale at the last minute after Kohan Retail paid off a $319,539.06 bill to the Lower Paxton Township Authority just 25 minutes before the deadline A sale also appeared to be on the horizon last year but Maryland developer Stonewall Capital terminated its sales agreement Lower Paxton Township stepped up to facilitate development at the mall by rezoning the site “Towne Center,” a designation that allows for residential What the new owner plans to do with the mall is not known. Zhang has shifted his focus to the development and operation of about 20 trampoline parks along the East Coast, according to his website. Lower Paxton Township spokesman Jack Sherzer said the township looks forward to working with the new owner he said no plans for the property have been submitted to the township News of the sale comes as the mall has been closed since Sunday due to storm-related damage. At one point the mall owed $560,200.26 in unpaid taxes last year to the county but following the sale, the county’s website said those bills have all been caught up PennLive Reporter Daniel Urie contributed to this story What are the status and trends in colony size and active nest of specific colonial nesting birds Source: Data Store Saved Search 3790. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store Source: Data Store Saved Search 2407 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store Source: Data Store Saved Search 2408. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store Source: Data Store Saved Search 2409 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store also holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s most charming Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting the area for the first time we’ve gathered all the resources you need to find where to stay what to do and other community information about our unique little village << View All Events Stop in at Colonial Oak Music Park … it’s the place to be on New Years Eve From 2:00pm-5:00pm enjoy the sounds of Dalton & Campbell ring in the New Year with the Dewey Via Band starting at 8:00pm Click the event website link for additional details An event every week that begins at 9:45 am on Tuesday and Thursday Pa (WHP) — Crews were called to a house fire in Dauphin County on Sunday Firefighters responded to a home on Ford Avenue Sunday evening, where fire had spread from a carport into the house, according to Colonial Park Fire Company #1. Photos from the scene show the front of the house engulfed in flames The American Red Cross of Greater PA said it helped 10 people after the fire Women of Influence Ordinance to make Colonial Park Mall more attractive for development Colonial Park Mall will be auctioned online by Ten-X The PA Chamber and AFP launch a campaign urging Congress to make 2017 small business tax cuts permanent before[...] A new funding opportunity has been announced by the U.S Small Business Administration as part of its Made in [...] Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary Pat Browne announced that Pennsylvania collected $6.2B in April General Fund r[...] Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver said the Shapiro Administration has cut state hiring time by 35% the nation’s largest network of volunteers and business mentors Pennsylvania joins 25 states in suing the Trump Administration over revoked AmeriCorps funds Sign up for your daily digest of Central Pa Listen to this article Kari Ebeling Penn-Mar Human Services 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economy over the years Invoice fraud involves submitting fake or illegitimate invoices often with convincing documentation[...] Central Pennsylvania Business Journal's recent Banks list spans 35 financial institutions ranked by [...] Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said Pennsylvania is in a strong position with three months to go in [...] RETTEW Chief Financial Officer Scott MacNair has been appointed to the firm’s board of directors Fulton Financial Corporation’s Board of Directors has declared common and preferred stock dividend[...] Central Penn Business Journal provides 24/7 business news coverage and events honoring top business professionals Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Click here for information about plaques permissions and reprints of previous editions South Side Weekly Like many other longtime Southwest Siders, I grew up frequenting Marquette Park in Chicago Lawn to gather with family, feed the ducks, or check out the former rose garden the park continues to serve as a reliable space for me to gather safely with friends each time noticing something different: an odd-looking duck graffiti tags with culturally relevant statements or an improvised path leading to a secretly stunning view.   Thanks to groups like the West Lawn Conservation Club and Chicago BIPOC Birders I have become better acquainted with the plants and birds that inhabit the park such as the black-crowned and great blue herons that can often be spotted catching fish with pinpoint precision.  Sign up to get the Weekly Digest delivered to your inbox you’ll find the 315.18 acres of land being utilized in many ways: compadres fish at the lagoon families gather for soccer games at the various fields kids and adults play basketball at the courts and different groups host community or private events.  On especially hot days, the tree canopy and lagoon offer respite from industrialization and the heat island effect of the Southwest Side My favorite trees are the willows that lean towards the lagoon as if staring at their reflection I especially like visiting in the evening when the sun is setting painting the tops of trees pink and illuminating the surface of the lagoon with its glow I recently learned that at the center of the park lies a precolonial piece of land known as the Ashburn Prairie The three-and-a-half acre prairie was transplanted from its original location on 87th and Kedzie in 1993 as a preservation effort This got me wondering how the park’s history shapes how we relate to it Known as the largest park on the Southwest Side Marquette is also marked by a racist history Named after “explorer and missionary” Father Jacques Marquette the park’s racist and violent history—along with the rest of Chicago’s—can be dated back to the colonization of the Americas derived from Jacques Marquette’s “exploration” of the Mississippi River with Louis Joliet disregards the knowledge and relationships to the land that exists among native people According to the Park District’s website Marquette and other Chicago parks were created by the South Park Commission which worked to “acquire” the land between 1878 and 1909.  Frank Foster conceived the new parks as beautifully landscaped ‘breathing spaces’ that would provide educational and social services to the City’s congested immigrant neighborhoods,” the website reads The immigrant communities that these parks were originally designed to serve were composed of central to commemorate the fifty-years since the event The memorial was sponsored by the Inner-city Muslim Action Network located on 63rd and California and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" View More View More OH -- Several Warren County communities will be hosting parades and fireworks to help celebrate America's 248th birthday next week While the official date of Independence Day (America's Birthday) is July 4th a few of the county's communities are celebrating a few days earlier A noon parade in Downtown Waynesville will start off the days festivities before activities move to Waynesville's Bicentennial Park at 2 p.m live music and other activities are planned until the firework show will end the celebration The fireworks are scheduled to start after dusk which according to Google AI is at 9:40 p.m Waynesville's Bicentennial Park located at 837 Dayton Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068 [Map/directions]. For more information visit www.villageofwaynesville.org The City of Lebanon will have both a parade and fireworks show on the day before Independence Day a parade is scheduled to start at 4PM in Downtown Lebanon celebration festivities will move to Colonial Park West for LightUp Lebanon This free family-fun event features a petting zoo bounce houses and live music from The Bourbon Road Band Colonial Park West is located at 720 North Broadway, Lebanon, OH 45036. For more information visit the city's website at www.lebanonohio.gov Mason starts of its Independence Day festivities at 4 p.m Along with a  Kid Zone and vendor activities The night's celebration ends with a firework and drone show scheduled to begin at 10 p.m Mason Municipal Center is located at 6000 Mason Montgomery Rd, Mason, OH 45040. For more information visit www.imaginemason.org/ JULY 3RD - FIREWORKS  &  JULY 4TH - PARADE The City of Middletown has turned America's Birthday celebration into a two day event On Wednesday July 3rd Middletown's Smith Park will be the site for food trucks and live music by Sounds at Sunset The evening will end with a fireworks display after dusk On Thursday July 4th Middletown will hold its 4th of July Parade Smith Park is located at 500-546 Tytus Ave., Middletown, Ohio. For more information visit  www.downtownmiddletown.org The Village of Maineville and Hamilton Township have collaborated together to bring its residents The Freedom Parade & Festival that begin at 10 a.m Parade organizers noted that parade viewers should plan to be in place for the parade by 9:30 a.m due to road closures being made for the parade route The parade will begin at Maineville Elementary and end at Testerman Park where there will be a festival with live music by Michelle Robinson Band Testerman Park is located at 8373 Maineville Rd, Maineville, Ohio 45039. For more information visit www.hamilton-township.org a bounce house and other activities will be on the grounds at the Springboro High School fireworks will light up the sky after dusk which according to Google AI will be around 9:40 p.m Springboro High School is located at 1675 . Main Street, Springboro, Ohio 45066. For more information visit www.cityofspringboro.com/Calendar At 7 p.m. an Independence Parade will take to the street of downtown Loveland with a free concert by the Trailer Park Floosies starting at 8 p.m The Flossie's are known for being one of Cincinnati’s most fun party bands Downtown Loveland will be the best place to view the show as the fireworks will be staged from Kiwanis Park Nisbet Park is located at 126 S Karl Brown Wy, Loveland, OH 45140. For more information visit lovinlifeloveland.com/events Monroe's celebration will begin at noon with a parade and will continue on again at 5 p.m the Monroe Lions Club “Light Up the Sky Event” fireworks show will light up the sky to end the day's events Monroe's Community Park is located at 500 S. Main Street, Monroe, Ohio 45050. For more information visit www.monroeohio.org/CivicAlerts Back in February the City of Franklin had announced that its annual 4th of July celebration was going to be cancelled due to the city being in the midst of several infrastructure projects.  (See the Dayton Daily story within by Ed Richter February 8, 2024 about Franklin Cancelling 4th of July events.)  But due to the out-pouring of its residents the annual Independence Day Parade will take place on July 4th at 10 a.m The City's Mayor Brent Centers explained the decision about the fireworks on Franklin Talk 2.0 Facebook Page.. "Fireworks: they are setting up the crane and cutting in the water main for the new pump house beginning this week Our Council decided that it was a safety access issue due to having such high attendance at this event This was decided months ago during the planning and coordination of this pump house construction The deadline was months ago to finalize the order for fireworks We know it is unpopular but sometimes we have to make decisions for safety at the expense of popularity." "We understand that change can be challenging, but we truly believe that 'The Best is Yet to Come!', which is why this was chosen as our 2024 parade theme," states the City's Website on Independence Day Celebration. (Click here.)  The press release also explains that due to route modifications because of construction the parade route will be going through a residential area and will  NOT be a "Wet Parade." Over the years the Franklin Parade goers and parade participants would find ways to throw water each other "We kindly request that this parade remain dry out of respect for our residents and their homes. Let's keep the celebration festive while also maintaining a clean and respectful environment," reads the press release. For more information on the parade visit www.franklinohio.org/community/events Get our weekly eNewsletters “The Burg Weekender” on Thursdays and “The Burg Weekly” on Sundays full of things to do in the area Find things to do in Williamsburg Virginia on Williamsburg Families 1313 JAMESTOWN RD, #105, WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185M-F 10 – 4 PMPHONE: 757 920 6078EMAIL: OLIVIA@WILLIAMSBURGFAMILIES.COMWILLIAMSBURGFAMILIES.COMDIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY 2024 at 3:46 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Patch has compiled a list of some popular public spray grounds (Shutterstock)NEW JERSEY — Summer is in full swing which means New Jersey residents and their families are likely looking for the best ways to beat the heat on those sweltering sunny days While communities throughout the Garden State offer a range of summer activities for families arguably one of the best ways to cool down is by taking a trip to the local splash pad or spray grounds Most of these facilities are free to enjoy Patch has compiled a list of some popular public spray grounds Asbury Park Splash Park - Monmouth County Brennan Field Spray Park - Union County (registration required) Carver Park Splash Pad - Bergen County Colonial Spray Park - Somerset County Cottrell Farm Spray Park - Middlesex County Fasola Park Splash Pad - Gloucester County John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park Spray Park - Ocean County Manalapan Recreation Center Splash Pad - Monmouth County Newport Green - Hudson County Pine Lake Park & Playground - Ocean County Pirate’s Cove at Turkey Brook Park - Morris County The Splash Zone - Bergen County (entry fee required) Veterans Park Spray Park and Playground - Middlesex County Watsessing Park Spray Park - Essex County Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2024 at 2:08 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}We've compiled this guide of local splash parks to help you and your family stay cool this summer NJ — The official start of Summer is here this week A heat advisory remains in effect for the Somerset County area from 10 a.m according to the National Weather Service(NWS) An excessive heat watch also remains in effect from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 106 possible," according to NWS Many kids are already out of school and as you look for activities to keep the kids busy — and cool why not check out local splash parks Splash parks are great for kids of all ages We've compiled this guide of local splash parks to help you and your family stay cool this summer Spray Park at Colonial Park the 21-unit Spray Park is located behind the Morgan Pellowski Playground is scheduled to open on June 22 The 6,500 square-foot Spray Park on 1.6 acres is a children-only facility with parents permitted to accompany small children Children and their parents or guardians will be able to cool off during the heatwave from noon to 7:30 p.m Arthur Lewis Park Spray Park includes 28 water features that run in a 10-minute There are a few tables within the fenced-in area Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center (JCC) Amy & Seth Geldzahler Splash Pad is ADA compliant and includes more than 15 water elements Splash Pad at Michael Lepp Park Pleasant Valley Pool Water Play Area a rope climb,interactive water features and a big bucket splash Children under 10 must be supervised by an adult at all times If you know of a great spot we missed, share it in the comments or email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.comA movie theater in Lebanon County appears to be closing The last movies at Regal Lebanon Valley at the Lebanon Valley Mall in North Lebanon Township are scheduled for Sunday, according to its website. An employee at the movie theater confirmed that the last day for the movie theater is Sunday Officials from Regal’s corporate office couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Rio returns a stick to Brandi Rutledge while the two play fetch inside the water at Colonial Lake Park A great egret steps up onto the sidewalk after snatching a small fish out from the water at Colonial Lake Park Two park-goers sit on benches and chat along the water of Colonial Lake Park Park-goers sit on benches and walk along the path surrounding the water at Colonial Lake Park A runner jogs down the sidewalk adjacent to the water at Colonial Lake Park The Charleston Parks Conservancy announced May 21 a two-year $125,000 restoration project at Colonial Lake to make the park more resilient in the face of climate change An evening stroll around Colonial Lake reveals Charleston at its finest The salty sea breeze from the nearby Ashley River rustles the leaves of Palmetto trees climbing with pink Peggy Martin Roses A young family casts a fishing rod at the tidal pond's edge Sweat glistens as runners trek around the nearly 1-mile loop bordered by lush grasses and vibrant flora But a barren stretch just off bustling Broad Street hints at some of the city’s woes as well Back-to-back storms felled an oak and a pair of hackberry trees leaving the plants that had been living under their shade exposed to the Holy City's harsh sun overran beds where other plants drowned in salt water from frequent flooding The Charleston Parks Conservancy has already begun clearing some of the more aggressive plantings in preparation for a two-year The conservancy is a nonprofit partner that helps the city maintain the horticulture at 25 of the city's 125 parks they're thinking we're gonna like rip out every single plant in there It's not like that at all," said Kate White White said the conservancy is hoping to find a balance between sustainable native plants that can withstand extreme weather and maintain the beauty people have grown accustom to seeing at Colonial Lake "I want this to be an example that you can do both," she added "I think it's important for homeowners to know that this is what you can do in your own garden to mitigate flooding The new initiative was announced May 21 at The Jasper, a towering luxury apartment complex across Ashley Avenue that overlooks the lake. It follows eight years after the conservancy and city celebrated the completion of a larger, $5.9 million revitalization at Colonial Lake The city improved the control system within the pond so it can be lowered during expected flood events and repaired the sea wall around its edges While the conservancy and its volunteers — called Park Angels they numbered more than 1,000 last year — added more than 20,000 plants to the park executive director and CEO of the conservancy "We say that every park should have its own personality "I don't want you to walk into a conservancy park and think that you've been there and done that every park has its own personality and character and Colonial Lake is really strong on habitat and creating a very natural environment that makes you feel like you're not in an urban place." and plant species that can withstand saltwater inundation when it does flood Other city parks might draw more tourists like White Point Garden at the peninsula's southern tip or Marion Square in the heart of downtown but Heater said "Colonial Lake is for the people who live here." "It's part of the reason why it is so beloved," she said who moved to the Harleston Village neighborhood 30 years ago with his wife said he's loved watching the park change over those years he takes pride in helping maintain it for several hours a week To donate, volunteer or find out more about the Charleston Parks Conservancy plans, visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: 2024 at 12:03 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Photograph of artwork created by the “Upcycling Art” class instructor Mariya Kovalyov NJ — Kids 8 to 12 years of age will learn how to create beautiful art using recycled materials in this hands-on class led by a professional artist The "Upcycled Art" class will take place from 10 a.m near the stone cottage in Colonial Park Gardens local eclectic artist Mariya Kovalyov will teach children how to make a unique and imaginative 3D sculpture using recycled cardboard Working with recycled materials to create art helps reduce waste and the carbon footprint that the production of new materials can cause To register for Upcycled Art or for more information, visit www.somersetcountyparks.org, call 908-722-1200, ext. 5721, or click here Individuals with hearing and speech impairment can call the Relay Services at 711 About Colonial Park Gardens Colonial Park Gardens is a collection of botanical gardens in Colonial Park which is a section of the Somerset County park system The Gardens contain an award-winning formal rose garden The Gardens are located within a nationally accredited arboretum and are free for the public all year The Somerset County Park Commission With more than 14,000 acres of open space, including forests, waterways, meadows, and fields, the Somerset County Park Commission continues to dedicate time and effort to being good stewards of the land by maintaining biodiversity and preserving natural landscapes within the park system This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government The views expressed here are the author’s own Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. A Spirit Halloween store in Lincoln Plaza on Lincoln Street in Worcester .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Daniel Urie | durie@pennlive.comSpirit Halloween says it’s opening more stores this year than ever before — 1,525 All of the stores are expected to open by the end of September More than 1,100 stores have already opened “Halloween lovers are invited to celebrate the season with the retailer’s exclusive haunting in-store experience which has become a must-see Halloween staple,” the company said in a news release the brand brings back a fresh new twist on its beloved ‘Spirit Hallows’ in-store theme boasting cemetery-inspired store design details that fans can explore The design spotlights Spirit Halloween’s exclusive animatronics as the residents of Spirit Hallows which comes to life for any brave souls willing to step forward.” is a seasonal retailer that sells an assortment of costumes and accessories for infants as well as décor and animatronics for Halloween Spirit Halloween stores have opened at the following locations in Dauphin and Cumberland counties: But in July, Stonewall Capital terminated its sales agreement to buy the mall. Ray Jackson told PennLive at the time that the deal could still go through later Ten months have passed since the sale was canceled The mall remains half empty and under the ownership of Kohan Retail Investment Group Jackson said he didn’t have any updates to provide on the mall PennLive also reached out to the Kohan Retail Investment Group but company officials couldn’t immediately be reached Kohan has a partnership with 4th Dimension Properties The shopping center on Jonestown Road remains open Few people were shopping there on Tuesday afternoon The mall has one department store left — Boscov’s. Jim Boscov’s, CEO of Boscov’s, said last year that the retailer has no plans to leave the mall “We’re going to be here for the next 100 years,” he said at the time The mall was once home to clothing stores such as PacSun, American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale, Express, Wet Seal, Gap, Hot Topic and The Limited, among others. Just one fashion-forward retail chain remains there now — Rue21. But not for long. Rue21 is closing all of its stores A sign at the store indicates only eight days remain before it is gone Another longtime store at the mall — Spencer’s — recently relocated to the Colonial Commons shopping center A comic book store, Dimension X Comics, Toys, and Collectibles, also officially left the mall last year before eventually relocating to Highspire. The food court is half full with two restaurants The mall’s movie theater - Colonial Park Cinemas 4 - closed in March. Fyre Lounge & Bar opened in the former Buffalo Wild Wings space and two tenants have relocated from the Harrisburg Mall – Mall Tailor & Cleaners and the Koup’s Cycle Shop motorcycle display the mall avoided a sheriff’s sale just 25 minutes before a deadline by paying a $319,539.06 bill to the Lower Paxton Township Authority for unpaid sewer and stormwater bills While demolition continues at the other Dauphin County mall — the Harrisburg Mall in Swatara Township — to make way for redevelopment the future of the Colonial Park Mall remains unclear City of Lebanon Independence Day Parade at 4pm Independence Day Parade in Lebanon Celebrate our Nation's independence with a family-friendly parade in Downtown Lebanon!  Check our website below for details Independence Day Fireworks in Lebanon LightUp Lebanon starts at 6 pm in Colonial Park West LightUp Lebanon is a free family-fun event that features a petting zoo LightUp Lebanon parking is available at the Warren County Fairgrounds This roadway allows motorists to appreciate the surrounding landscape while reducing impact on the resources and providing for traveler safety Passing is only allowed in the marked passing zones and when oncoming traffic is clear The maximum Parkway speed limit is 45 miles per hour Colonial Parkway is a meticulously crafted landscape that integrate's the region's natural and cultural resources into a memorial roadway of the American colonial experience It marks an important change in the history of National Park Service (NPS) road-building traditions as the first NPS-designed parkway that unifies dispersed sites as part of a cohesive national park Colonial National Historical Park is a 10,221-acre unit of the NPS located between the James and York rivers in Virginia Originally designated a national monument (becoming a national historical park in 1936) Colonial NHP administers and interprets the sites of Jamestown Island and the Yorktown Battlefield Central to the original legislation which created Colonial NHP was a plan for a scenic highway to link the sites into a "single coherent reservation." Free of any "modern" commercial development the parkway was designed to provide continuity to the visitor experience of motoring through nearly 400 years of American colonial history the parkway provides visitors with dramatic open vistas of rivers and tidal estuaries as well as shady passageways through pine and hardwood forests By the 1920s the dilapidated condition of Williamsburg was seen by some as a grave injustice to its historical role in the founding and growth of America rector of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg decided to finance the restoration of Virginia's colonial capital to its former glory the restoration of Williamsburg was a novel and ambitious undertaking which had significant ramifications for the development of Colonial National Historical Park a survey of the area was undertaken by NPS engineer Oliver G Taylor and NPS landscape architect Charles E Taylor and Peterson were directed to establish a proposed boundary for the park and a 500-foot right-of-way for the parkway Initial proposals called for the parkway to follow an inland route along colonial-era roads but during a tour of the Naval Weapons Station Peterson decided to align the road along the York River modern intrusions and other "visual junk" encountered along an inland route were incongrous with modern parkway design standards Because of access restrictions and the extensive tidal wetlands through Navy lands Taylor and Peterson mapped the river alignment using aerial photographs provided by the Army navigators from Langley Air Base Peterson's primary concern was designing a roadway that adhered to modern standards of parkway aesthetics developed by the builders of the Bronx River Parkwayin Westchester County Tours of the Bronx River Parkway and the federally built Mount Vernon Memorial Highway provided Peterson with a model of a limited access highway with broad sweeping curves set in a meticulously landscaped right-of-way devoid of commercial development derived from 19th-century romantic landscape theories created a safer and more pleasant drive compared to the increasingly congested urban strips Parkway design began in the spring of 1931 with the creation of the Eastern Division of the Branch of Plans and Designs under Peterson's direction NPS landscape architects were responsible for the overall architectural and landscape treatment but the roadway and bridge construction specifications were prepared by engineers from the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) In 1931 a BPR field office was opened in Williamsburg to facilitate parkway construction Special agreements with the Navy and private land owners transferred ten miles of the route between Yorktown and Williamsburg to the NPS free of charge allowing construction to begin that spring limited funding and war stretched construction over a 26-year period By 1937 the road was completed only to Williamsburg Except for the construction of the Williamsburg Tunnel and Halfway Creek Bridge it was not until 1955 that funds were available to extend the parkway to Jamestown Island in anticipation of the 350th anniversary of Jamestown's founding The City of Austin is pleased to announce the signing of the Colony Park Sustainable Community Development Agreement with CDC Colony Park Holdings an affiliate of Catellus Development Corporation (Catellus) This agreement paves the way for the development of 208-acres of City-owned land as a master-planned community which includes priorities that will guide the development of the 208 acre City-owned site the Austin City Council approved an ordinance establishing a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) for the City-owned property and approved a project and financing plan This action aims to encourage economic development and provide a means of financing the costs of public works Council previously approved an ordinance to amend the planned unit development (PUD) district zoning.  The PUD zoning amendment secured the goals and aspirations of the Colony Park Sustainable Community vision as informed by over a decade of community engagement with stakeholders in existing adjacent neighborhoods Privacy Notice Is there a city in the world as beloved for its cemeteries as Savannah Savannah is often called “the city built upon her dead,” and with several historic and picturesque cemeteries to visit like Bonaventure and Laurel Grove it’s no wonder Savannah has such a ghostly reputation Established in 1750 and closed to burials in 1853 Colonial Park Cemetery has so many idiosyncrasies that it is almost the platonic ideal of a creepy graveyard The cemetery has its share of ghost stories but who needs them when the real history is already so fascinating the dimensions of the cemetery used to be bigger but when Abercon Street was built along its border An estimated 12,000 people are buried in the cemetery More That's so Savannah: The uncanny echo of Rousakis Plaza Bodies in tombs would be left until they completely turned to dust at which time new bodies would be interred so there is no telling how many souls were buried in them the patriot general of the Revolutionary War was originally buried in Colonial Park Cemetery but when his remains were moved to Johnson Square in 1902 it took quite awhile to to identify him from the other dusty piles of bones in the tomb The cemetery is full of victims from the days of dueling which reportedly began in 1740 and was a common practice until 1877 Duelists were not just buried there—the south end of the cemetery (now a basketball court) was apparently a favorite spot for duels One marker on site tells the tragic story of James Wilde and his death from dueling as a reminder of Savannah’s propensity for men with “too much honor.” crumbling grave markers lean against the wall which has led to their own stories During the Civil War and Sherman’s March to Sea Union soldiers used the cemetery as a camp area Although it isn’t completely confirmed that they are responsible for it it is believed that some of the more mischievous soldiers vandalized the graves by moving headstones or altering them by carving misinformation on them and one man having been born 1,000 years before his father While some believe the stones along the wall were moved with malicious intent it is a very old cemetery and disintegrating grave stones need to be put somewhere More That's so Savannah: Tomochichi's boulder a monument to a man integral to Georgia's founding The most macabre bit of history involves a subtly tweaked fact on a historical marker about the yellow fever “nearly 700” victims of the 1820 yellow fever epidemic were buried in a mass grave but historical records allegedly show that exactly 666 people are buried in the grave The implication is that the numbers were fudged so that nobody would associate the epidemic with the work of the devil I’ve witnessed people add an extra cent to their tips on restaurant bills so that their total would come out to $6.67 Because Colonial Park Cemetery rests in the heart of downtown it is one of Savannah’s most popular historic spots for visitors With its macabre atmosphere and fascinating history it’s a shame that the cemetery gates are closed at night .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comWhy Valentine’s Day falls in the dead of winter is shrouded in mystery who celebrated the feast of Lupercalia on Feb a saint day that celebrated several Christian martyrs named Valentine Unless you’re jetting off to Miami Beach — It’s sunny and 79 degrees as I write this — you’re going to be stuck home with your honey Time to get out of the house and liven up your love life Here are New Jersey’s 27 most romantic places with several off the beaten path or with a decidedly Jersey spin Wildwood Boardwalk (Joe Warner I For NJ Advance Media)Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media View this post on Instagram A post shared by Knife & Fork Inn (@knifeandforkinn) The Knife & Fork Inn started in 1912 as an exclusive men’s drinking and dining club The second floor included a “ladies lounge” where women A 2005 renovation aimed to recapture the Prohibition-era mystique hand-painted ceilings and lushly appointed dining rooms The restaurant has long been regarded as one of the state’s premiere dining experiences Cape May (John Munson I Star-Ledger)NJ Advance Media for NJ.com There are many romantic towns along the Jersey Shore, but there is only one Cape May. The Victorian jewel, filled with impeccably maintained B&Bs, is a great place to jump-start — or rekindle — a romance. Cape May is a diner’s delight; it was named one of the country’s top 20 dining destinations by Conde Nast Traveler magazine Among the most romantic restaurants: The Peter Shields Inn and the Washington Inn The entire town exudes a charm and gentility nearly impossible to find in this manic world South Branch of the Raritan River and the Red Mill Clinton (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) There may be no more postcard-pretty sight in New Jersey than the Red Mill, perched on the South Branch of the Raritan River. I once lived in an apartment above a shop on Main Street, falling asleep to the soothing sound of the falls. Clinton itself is one of the state’s most charming small towns there are shops and beautiful Hunterdon County to explore or you can just sit in front of the falls in your lover’s warm Canoeing on Catfish Pond at the Mohican Outdoor Center near Blairstown (Steve Klaver)SL The photo shows canoeists on Catfish Pond at the Mohican Outdoor Center It starts with the view, an unparalleled sweep of the New York City skyline. The 408-acre Essex County park features the 40-mile Lenape Trail skirting the eastern edge and the county 9/11 Memorial. The Highlawn Pavilion, one of the state’s more acclaimed restaurants and the host of many a storybook wedding, is here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Franklinville Inn (@thefranklinvilleinn) History, old-world charm, understated elegance: The Franklinville Inn is a prime example of a category New Jersey does so well: colonial inns/restaurants. It started as a stagecoach stop in a town once known as Little Ease. There’s an award-winning wine list, although the Southern Pink Flamingo (coconut rum, peach bourbon, pineapple juice, Grenadine) seems a sure-fire winter blues chaser. The inn was named one of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the U.S. by OpenTable. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rat's Restaurant (@rats.restaurant) This high-end restaurant, located at the Grounds for Sculpture, is named after a character in founder Seward Johnson’s favorite childhood story book, “The Wind in the Willow.” The dining room manages to be stylish but not stuffy, and the grounds are gorgeous. Entrees include coq au vin and masala roasted cauliflower. The highest point in New Jersey - High Point State Park (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) There’s nothing like standing at the top of Jersey to get your heart racing. You can do that at High Point State Park in Sussex County. Hike to the monument marking the state’s summit (1,803 feet is not much, but at least we’re higher than Missouri, Ohio and eight other states). There are 50 miles of trails within the park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Duke Farms (@dukefarms) Nearly 20 miles of walking trails and 12 miles of cycling trails can be found at lush, lovely Duke Farms. Tropical and subtropical orchid displays can be found at the Orchid Range. The “great falls,” a tiered waterfall to the side of Duke Reservoir, goes off four times a day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda's (@amandasrestaurant) The Mile Square City may be Hipster Heaven The elegant but unstuffy dining rooms are the perfect place for that special night out and its Sunday brunches are the stuff of mid-morning legend hundreds of lanterns were floated into the Hudson River as part of the Water Lantern Festival (Julian Leshay I For NJ Advance Media)Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media Liberty State Park is busiest during the day but you’ll want to head over there at night for an unforgettable impossibly romantic view of the glittering Manhattan skyline It’s the perfect place to ask The Big Question Have drinks or dinner at the Liberty House or Maritime Parc; stroll hand-in-hand along the promenade later on but a personal favorite with great waterfront views: Batello one of 10 finalists in our N.J.’s Best Italian Restaurant Showdown North Arlington (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) For diner lovers, there is no more romantic place than a late-night meal in the Diner Capital of the World. There are so many to choose from. Some favorites: Angelo’s Glassboro Diner, Glassboro; Victoria Diner, Branchville; Broad Street Diner, Keyport; Summit Diner, Summit. Here are N.J.’s 41 best diners, ranked. Lavallette (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) The Lavallette Gazebo has the additional treat of being on the water in Bayfront Park You can rent it out for two hours for your wedding photos There are a few rules: no confetti or rice is allowed but “bubbles,” according to the borough website known as "Old Barney," at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (Lori M Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Lori M The beach at Beach Haven on Long Beach Island at sunset “Long walks on the beach” is a romantic cliché, but walks on the beach in the winter have two advantages — you’ll have the beach to yourself, and the brisk weather gives you a great excuse to snuggle up with that special someone. LBI is no more peaceful and beautiful than it is in winter. Here’s the account of my 18-mile walk from one end of the island to the other Robin’s Nest is a woman-owned restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients whose first job was working in the cramped basement kitchen of a cheese and pastry shop in Haddonfield Her mother bought a rundown building in town and after a major renovation Robin’s Nest was born but you’ll want to grab a table on the outdoor patio overlooking the Mill Race waterway Dishes include a Moroccan tagine and a Grown-up Grilled Cheese Route 519 (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) America’s greatest love affair? With its cars! New Jersey’s most romantic and scenic road is not the Parkway or Route 80 whispery highway that stretches from Colesville Peapack-Gladstone (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) Rutgers University (Patti Sapone I The Star-Ledger)SL View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matisse 167 (@cafematisse167) At Matisse 167 (formerly Cafe Matisse), colorful impressionist-style paintings and chandeliers create a playful, inviting atmosphere of simple elegance. The restaurant, which is BYOB and offers various tasting menus, is situated in a historic building that was originally a horse and buggy firehouse. It was named among the 100 most romantic restaurants in the U.S. by OpenTable. An upstairs dining area at The Sergeantsville Inn (Keith Muccilli I The Star-Ledger) Long regarded as one of the state’s landmark restaurants, the Sergeantsville Inn started as a private residence in the 1700s in what was then Skunktown. The post office didn’t much like the name, so it was changed to Sergeantsville. There are fireplaces in the dining rooms, and the ambitious menu includes duck confit poutine and braised pork pappardelle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Historic Smithville (@historicsmithvillenj) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colonial Park Gardens (@colonialparkgardens) a golf course — and one remarkable rose garden 325 varieties and a fragrance and sensory garden portion Patrons of New Jersey's only drive-in movie theater enjoy an evening watching The Smurfs movie New Jersey was the birthplace of the drive-in movie But sadly there’s only one left — the Delsea Drive-in in Vineland a snack bar and you listen to the sound on your radio Warm summer nights don’t get any more romantic than this Wyckoff (Peter Genovese I NJ Advance Media for nj.com) This may be the state’s least-known romantic spot an oasis of peace and quiet beauty minutes from the Garden State Parkway The 13-acre property was deeded to the township by the late Warner “Bud” Brackett who takes care of its 500 or so rose plants “Roses are the prima donnas of the plant world,” Mitchell said “Anything that can go wrong goes wrong.” He smiled “And they complain all the time.” The roses are in a gated garden but make sure to explore the entire grounds Looking for more New Jersey food coverage? Subscribe to the free Jersey Eats newsletter here! Sign up for Pete’s new, exclusive food newsletter, Jersey’s Secret Sauce, here. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. On Twitter, @petegenovese. On Instagram, @peteknowsjersey and @themunchmobile. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site Ad Choices View this post on Instagram A post shared by Knife & Fork Inn (@knifeandforkinn) View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Franklinville Inn (@thefranklinvilleinn) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rat's Restaurant (@rats.restaurant) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Duke Farms (@dukefarms) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda's (@amandasrestaurant) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matisse 167 (@cafematisse167) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Historic Smithville (@historicsmithvillenj) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Colonial Park Gardens (@colonialparkgardens) Work along the Colonial Parkway is progressing Please follow all posted detours and observe all closure notices and avoid closed areas for your safety and the safety of workers on site In Segment A (Ballard Street to Fusiliers Redoubt Ramp: Route 17 bridge deck is formed and expected to be poured by early May Bridge crews continue to perform concrete substructure repairs to accommodate the setting of structural steel girders in May Masonry crews also continue performing cleaning/repairs at the Old Williamsburg Bridge In Segment D & E (Felgates Creek to Penniman Road): Crews working on completing installation and aggregate exposure of new concrete pavement In Segment F (Penniman Road to Merrimac Trail): Crews are continuing with demolition of the existing pavement the mixing/placement of cement stabilized subgrade and the forming/pouring of new exposed aggregate concrete pavement Masonry crews continue to perform cleaning/repairs at the Page Street Stormwater culvert crossing work in Segment F is expected to start up in May In Segment G (Merrimac Trail to Rt.199): Concrete pavement construction in the vicinity of Newport Avenue ramps is expected to be finished in early May Concrete and masonry repairs are wrapping up at the Lafayette/CSX bridge over the Colonial Parkway Electrical crews continue to install the new lighting system inside the Williamsburg Tunnel Major storm drainage work from the Williamsburg Visitor Center traffic circle east towards Parkway Drive is wrapping up in early May to allow concrete pavement work to start in that section of the Parkway streambed improvements are substantially complete with only minor tie-in work at the Williamsburg Traffic Circle box culvert and final tree planting remaining at various stream locations Ballard Street in Yorktown to Fusiliers Road closure: The Parkway is closed from Ballard Street in Yorktown to Fusiliers Road Work in this area includes replacement of the bridge deck over Route 17and replacement of the bridge deck over Yorktown Creek Williamsburg Tunnel/North England Street Ramp southward to the Route 199 interchange: The Parkway from the Williamsburg Tunnel southward to the Route 199 interchange is closed Work southward from the tunnel will include replacement of the exposed aggregate concrete roadway slabs Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act Colonial National Historical Park has secured funding to repair and maintain a ten mile section of the Colonial Parkway This vital investment will restore up to 90-year-old Parkway infrastructure for the next 40 to 50 years.The Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project will increase visitor access The nearly $123 million Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation Project is one of the largest contruction projects established by the Legacy Restoration Fund in the nation. It will address $110.5 million of maintenance backlog identified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) along the Colonial Parkway The Great American Outdoors Act not only funds the current construction on the Parkway but many other important projects in parks Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go.