For the last two years the LRWP has been part of a team involved in developing a Municipal Public Action Plan for the City of New Brunswick. On Thursday October 13 join us and our municipal hosts, the New Brunswick Parks & Gardens Commission and the New Brunswick Environmental Commission, at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick for an overview presentation of findings, and a discussion of next steps.

The meeting will start at 7:00 pm in Room 113, just off the lobby.

Please plant to arrive a little early, as after 7 PM the exterior building doors will lock and any late comers will have to text someone to gain (re)entry. If you know you will be arriving late please text: #908.349.0281

What is a Municipal Public Access Plan?

A Municipal Public Access Plan (MPAP) is an opportunity for municipalities to voluntarily ensure public access to the River is provided in a manner consistent with local conditions and planning objectives. A municipal public access plan (MPAP) is the documentation and review of existing public access, the needs assessment of new or improved public access opportunities, and the plan for meeting those needs through implementation of enhancements. Municipalities that develop plans will have greater opportunities to align public access within their boundaries with other municipal priorities.

An important component of the MPAP was a Public Access Health Impact Assessment, this will also be discussed.

In early 2016, Rutgers Staff from the Planning Healthy Communities Initiative undertook a rapid Health Impact Assessment of the New Brunswick Municipal Public Access Plan that is concurrently under development. The rapid HIA examined the projected impacts of the plan elements on aspects of local public health including recreational opportunity, public safety, social cohesion and local economic development. The study was largely focused on existing literature and secondary sources as its data sources, and also incorporated new primary data obtained through a public survey administered as part of the Public Access Plan development. Here is an overview.