In early 2019 Habitat for Humanity in Paterson, NJ contacted the APA-NJ chapter to talk about their need for a team of volunteer planners. They wanted to create a concept for a green space along the Passaic River in the Northside Neighborhood of Paterson, NJ. They wanted two types of green space; a walkway along the river, called Riverwalk, and a sports fields in an area along the river dominated by abandoned and marginal industrial and residential properties. The Northside Neighborhood is across the Passaic River from Downtown Paterson.  

In 2015, the New Jersey American Planning Association (NJAPA) Community Planning Assistance Program (CPAP) team was asked to assist the Town of Boonton Economic Development Committee (EDC) with a feasibility analysis and community visioning relative to transit oriented development. As a component of the CPAP project, the EDC requested support in making application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for “Transit Village” designation.

The New Jersey Chapter’s CPAP team was invited by the South Ward Children’s Alliance in Newark’s South Ward to support the creation of a community needs assessment that could be used in their efforts to improve public education in the South Ward. The Alliance has become increasingly aware that addressing problems in the community, such as housing, crime and recreation, is a critical part of improving the South Ward’s public schools. The CPAP was asked to support their efforts to identify social issues in the surrounding neighborhoods and how they should be prioritized.