HAMILTON, NJ — The first phase of a new passive-recreation park in Mercer County is set to commence on Nov. 1 with the dredging of the 50-acre lake at Dam Site 21.
Acquired by Mercer County in the late 1970s, the 279-acre property spans Hamilton, Robbinsville, and West Windsor. The dredging aims to eliminate accumulated weeds, debris, and sediment, improving conditions for boating and fishing.
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes expressed enthusiasm about the project, saying it fulfills a longstanding goal to convert Dam Site 21 into a “gem of a park.” The initiative aligns with a larger Park Master Plan for the property, adopted by the Mercer County Park Commission in 2020. “The goal is to make the site more accessible to County residents while improving flood capacity, water quality, and wildlife habitat,” said Aaron T. Watson, Executive Director of the Mercer County Park Commission.
Capela Construction recently secured the contract for the lake’s dredging. The project, scheduled for completion over the winter, will restrict public access to the lake area until work concludes.
The larger Master Plan for the site envisions a range of amenities, including trails, parking, and visitor facilities. It also calls for transforming existing farm fields into natural areas for wildlife. Plans include the planting of an estimated 14,000 new trees across 34 acres and the development of 64 acres of native meadows.
The Master Plan, crafted in collaboration with Simone Collins Landscape Architecture and Princeton Hydro, received the 2021 Chapter Award from the New Jersey American Society of Landscape Architects.