Hundreds of Hightstown residents turned out Saturday as Dawes Park officially reopened after a months-long overhaul that gave the borough a train-themed playground, improved drainage and a new accessible walkway. Children raced to try out the new equipment, and parents told reporters the rebuilt park already feels like a meaningful addition to family life in town.
The renovated park, located on Railroad Avenue, had been closed since June for improvements, according to communitynews.org, which reported the park was set to officially reopen on Railroad Avenue at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The centerpiece of the rebuilt playground is a train-themed design intended as a nod to Hightstown's railroad history and the John Bull steam locomotive, the outlet reported. The National Museum of American History notes the John Bull was built in 1831 and ran for 35 years, hauling passengers and cargo between Philadelphia and New York.
For families who have used the park for years, the overhaul replaced equipment that had fallen into disrepair. One parent told TAPinto that an old slide at the park had been broken for a long time, and said her family has visited Dawes Park since her now-10-year-old child was a baby, describing the new playground as unique and connected to Hightstown. Another mother credited the borough council for contributing to the project and said she hopes the revamped park will help make Hightstown more appealing to families. TAPinto reported that children at the reopening represented Hightstown families from every walk of life and background.
Drainage Fixes and Accessibility Upgrades
Beyond the new play structure, Hightstown Borough also improved the park's water drainage system. The upgraded system is intended to dry out the grounds, cut down on stagnant water and produce healthier grass areas, per the same account from communitynews.org. Workers also added an ADA-accessible walkway connecting to the playground, along with new blue safety surfacing, benches and seating, making the park easier to use for residents with mobility needs.
The project came together through a mix of state, county and local funding. A $100,000 grant from the state Department of Community Affairs was secured by state Sen. Linda Greenstein, while Mercer County's Mercer at Play grant program contributed $50,000, according to the same report. The Hightstown Borough Council appropriated a $355,000 bond ordinance to round out the funding for the transformation.
A Playground Named for a Longtime Volunteer
Susan Bluth and council members were scheduled to lead the ceremony. Sen. Greenstein helped secure funding for the project.
Dawes Park was slated for improvements. The park closed after Labor Day 2026 so the summer camp could go on as usual.
