FOR RELEASE: September 10, 2025

Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members, joined by Mercer County Executive Dan Benson and 14^th District legislators cut a ribbon for the opening of the newly reconstructed replacement for the Pedestrian Bridge, linking Wiltshire Park to Hickory Corner Road.  The project was fully funded by a $1.3 state grant for park and recreation improvements, obtained by Mayor Mironov and Council Members with the support of 14^th District legislators – former Assemblyman/County Executive Dan Benson, Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy. 

The prior pedestrian bridge had to be closed for safety reasons and was no longer useable.   The Township retained Van Cleef Engineers to design and engineer a safe compatible-appearing cost-effective new structure, which specifications were bid and awarded to the low bidder T.R. Wenger of Piscataway, NJ.  In mid-August, the contractor mobilized and demolished the past structure, excavated, poured the abutments, prepared the approaching sidewalks, added the chain link fencing and finalized installation of the newly assembled bridge structure on September 5.

Mayor Mironov stated, “We are extremely excited to complete and re-open this popular pedestrian bridge which provides a convenient walkable connection between Hickory Corner Road and Wiltshire Park/Wiltshire Road, which serves the area neighborhoods.  In fact, while we were cutting the ribbon, we had a group of about fifteen 7^th graders waiting to cross the pedestrian bridge, underscoring its value to all of our residents and school children.  The opening of the new bridge now also extends our walkable trails as Wiltshire Park also connects by Township pathways across Dutch Neck Road to Anker Park and further on to the library on Hickory Corner Road.”   

The $1.3 million state grant funds also have underwritten several other Township-wide park and recreation projects, including:  the new play equipment and surface at Anker Park; the new play equipment and rubber surface at Woods Road Community Park; the repair and replacement of the basketball court at Wiltshire Park; the repair and replacement of the tennis courts at Westfield Park; and the purchase and soon to be installed outdoor pavilion for the Senior Center. 

Mayor Mironov added, “We are incredibly grateful to our state officials for their strong support in assisting the Township to secure the $1.3 Million grant funds used to complete these popular park and recreation improvements.  The upgrades to our neighborhood’s much used parks have generated much excitement and  provided tremendous benefits to our community.” 

Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members, joined by County and State officials, held a ribbon cutting for the opening of the newly reconstructed replacement for the Wiltshire Park Pedestrian Bridge. Pictured (from left to right) are:  (front row) Senator Linda Greenstein;  Mayor Janice S. Mironov;  Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy;  County Executive Dan Benson; (back row)  Council Member John Zoller;  Council Member Johnnie Whittington;  Deputy Mayor David Russell,  Council Member Joseph Miczak;  Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo.