By Sunayana Prabhu
RED BANK – Broadwalk, the seasonal pedestrian plaza, returns May 12, transforming a section of Broad Street into a vibrant community space through Sept. 30.
As in past years, Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Front Street to White Street for the season. Red Bank RiverCenter, which promotes borough businesses, is developing programming while working to address the issues of litter and parking that emerge every year with the opening of Broadwalk.
“This year’s events will bring new, fresh ideas that will enhance the experience for residents, visitors and businesses alike,” said borough administrator Jim Gant.
The borough has been working closely with RiverCenter, the department of public works, the police department, emergency management and the administration to ensure that Broadwalk “remains clean, safe and welcoming throughout the season,” Gant said. In addition, the borough will also be hiring seasonal Class I Law Enforcement Officers to address any quality-of-life complaints and support general safety on Broadwalk.
“We wanted to make sure that every time you come to Broadwalk, you can have a different, unique experience,” said Mairin Bennett, RiverCenter’s executive director.
In addition to outdoor dining, Broadwalk will feature scheduled programming, including kids’ “takeovers,” live music, children’s story time, fashion showcases, karate lessons for kids, adult yoga classes, and more.
Upcoming Events
This year’s new programming includes country line dancing and specialized theme nights. RiverCenter will again team up with the Red Bank Animal Welfare Committee and Fins & Feathers for the second annual Dog Walk on Broadwalk, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturday, May 17. The afternoon will feature music, pet activities, a pet-friendly gardening demonstration, and adoption opportunities from Louie’s Legacy. The Red Bank Animal Welfare Committee will also be accepting pet food donations for Red Bank’s local food pantry, Lunch Break.
The Red Bank Classic 5K will be held on Saturday, June 14. The race benefits the Red Bank Family YMCA’s Safety Around Water Program for area youth and draws over 3,000 people to downtown Red Bank each year.
Visitors are encouraged to follow Broadwalk’s social media for weekly event updates, as the calendar of events with specific details is still underway. The pedestrian plaza will run daily throughout the summer months.
In the borough’s 2025 municipal budget, $579,970 is set aside as Red Bank RiverCenter’s share in the total tax levy. Bennet explained that the amount is not raised through taxes on residents. Rather, it is a Special Improvement District (SID) tax collected from nearly 200 commercial property owners. She said the tax funds RiverCenter’s programming, grants, facades, streetscapes and beautification projects in the downtown business district. The SID taxes aim to boost downtown economic vitality. “If you have a strong downtown, then you have a strong backbone of your economy,” Bennett said.
Broadwalk was launched at the peak of the pandemic in 2020 to support restaurant businesses in the borough. Now in its sixth year, the pedestrian plaza has become a summertime staple in the borough, putting Red Bank on the must-visit list of many popular travel magazines.
Litter, Parking Issues
Broadwalk’s success is not without challenges. Some businesses and residents have raised concerns about litter and traffic issues.
Bennet said RiverCenter will be hiring maintenance staff to work with public works to keep the pedestrian plaza clean. “We always say, please be respectful. This is a community we want everyone to enjoy. Pick up after yourselves,” Bennett said.
Gant added that litter control “remains a top priority for the borough.” He said the department of public works will continue routine cleaning, and “this year we’re supplementing those efforts by hiring seasonal employees dedicated to litter removal and general maintenance across the borough, including Broadwalk.” These seasonal workers will team up with RiverCenter’s hired staff to keep the area clean throughout the busy months.
Additionally, “the street sweeper will operate on a schedule that is conducive to dropping the bollards for providing access to Broad Street,” Gant said. The bright red bollards are retractable barriers that rise from the ground during Broadwalk to control vehicular access on Broad Street between Front Street to White Street. Bollards are lowered at the end of the season.
Addressing vehicular challenges during Broadwalk, Gant said parking access “is a common concern during the high season.”
“Parking on Broad Street is a rarity,” said Bennett, suggesting visitors consider alternative parking locations such as the Globe Street and White Street lots.
The borough and RiverCenter have partnered to launch a “Where to Park” campaign. Gant noted the educational effort is designed to provide visitors, residents and businesses with information about available municipal lots and on-street parking options. “The goal is to improve awareness, encourage better distribution of parking demand, and help everyone navigate Red Bank more easily during peak times. Be on the lookout for QR code signage in our lots in the coming weeks,” Gant said.
The article originally appeared in the May 8 – 14, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
