Jersey City Embankment
Jersey City Secured the landed for public good in 2025
The Only Naturally Seeded Urban Forest Located Downtown in the World
Natural meadows and forest, unimpeded by human activity on streets below, sprang up on top of the Embankment stone segments as freight service slowed and then ended in the 1990s.
This ecological infrastructure cleans air, absorbs heat, and reduces stormwater flowing into Jersey City’s overburdened sewers at lower cost than engineered solutions. The forest will be a public oasis in a busy city with a trail that provides hiking and biking opportunities for the local community.
An Ecological Vision
Care for the environment is this century’s greatest challenge – and Jersey City’s greatest opportunity. Thoughtful treatment of the Embankment can set a precedent for cities around the world, demonstrating that a healthy ecology and infrastructure are compatible, not competitors.
