Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is the largest and oldest park in the Hudson County Parks System, located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Established in 1905, it was originally known as West Side Park until being renamed in 1930. The park spans 273.4 acres and is divided into two distinct sections: Lincoln Park East (150.4 acres) and Lincoln Park West (123 acres), separated by U.S. Route 1/9 Truck but connected by foot and vehicular bridges.

Lincoln Park East features numerous recreational facilities, historic monuments, and meandering trails. It is home to the park's main entrance, known as Lincoln Park Plaza, which was designed to create an impressive tree-lined view corridor. The plaza includes a stepped pathway, masonry walls, and terminates at a large fountain designed by Pierre J. Cheron in 1911. A prominent feature of the plaza is the "Lincoln the Mystic" statue, created by sculptor James Earle Fraser in 1930.

Lincoln Park West includes natural areas along the Hackensack River, including wetlands that have undergone restoration. This section houses a nature walk and forms part of the Hackensack RiverWalk, a partially completed greenway running along the Hudson County shoreline. The East Coast Greenway, a long-distance urban trail system, also passes through the park.

The park was designed by landscape architects Daniel W. Langton and Charles N. Lowrie, who were founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects and part of the "City Beautiful" movement. Their design reflected the national parks movement of the early 20th century, which aimed to preserve public spaces for recreational activities in urban communities.

Throughout its history, Lincoln Park has undergone various expansions and improvements. In recent years, the park has seen significant renovations, including a $7.2 million restoration of the Lincoln Park Fountain in 2016. The park continues to serve as a vital green space for Jersey City residents, offering a mix of recreational facilities, natural areas, and historical landmarks.