Cadwalader Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cadwalader Park is a historic park located in Trenton, New Jersey.


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Summary

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect who designed New York City's Central Park. There are numerous reasons to visit Cadwalader Park, including its beautiful scenery and historical significance. One of the main points of interest is the Ellarslie Mansion, which houses the Trenton City Museum. Visitors can also enjoy the park's walking and biking trails, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Interesting facts about the park include that it was named after Dr. Jonathan Cadwalader, a Revolutionary War hero, and that it was one of the first public parks in the United States to have an integrated playground.

The best time of year to visit Cadwalader Park is during the spring and summer months when the park is in full bloom and the weather is mild. However, the park is also beautiful during the fall when the leaves change colors. Overall, Cadwalader Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, nature, or outdoor recreation.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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