McGinley Square Community Board

McGinley Square Community Board Ensuring our neighborhood is safe, clean and desirable; protecting our homes from out-of-scale development; connecting community.

Artist FUTURA designed the panels within this customized FIFA World Cup-themed, soccer ball sculpture in Journal Square...
06/01/2026

Artist FUTURA designed the panels within this customized FIFA World Cup-themed, soccer ball sculpture in Journal Square, on JFK Blvd just outside the JSQ PATH. It’s one of four ART OF THE GAME public art installations in Jersey City, powered by and .

“Public art means it’s for everyone,” says FUTURA. We at MSCB love that community minded inclusive perspective!

In the 1980s, FUTURA was a contemporary of both late greats, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He created NYC street art and designed album cover art, including for The Clash. For his JSQ soccer ball panels, he used one of his pieces from the 1980s. He recently visited Jersey City for its installation, where his father was from, representing coming full circle for the artist.

The 4 soccer ball sculptures in Jersey City are part of a larger open-air museum and sculpture trail of 24 total soccer ball sculptures on public display. The base soccer ball sculpture was fabricated in Brooklyn by Powerhouse Arts, designed to withstand the elements of outdoors, and it’s modular so that unassembled it can fit in the trunk of a vehicle! Some will be kept in place after the World Cup events; others will be auctioned at fundraisers.

Another sculpture in the ART OF THE GAME series was recently installed at Grundy Pier/Exchange Place by Bassim Al Shaker. Who knows where the other two are located?

Tiny Topiary has GIANT heart. This new cafe at 163 Monticello has been sharing all the feels (and food!) on Bergen Hill,...
05/21/2026

Tiny Topiary has GIANT heart. This new cafe at 163 Monticello has been sharing all the feels (and food!) on Bergen Hill, since January, focusing on slow food, from scratch, home made, handcrafted, with love. It’s a neighborhood gem, filled with unique culinary offerings that remind us of simpler times — and grandma’s table. The kind of magical spot we hope to discover during weekend getaways exploring quaint beach towns or mountain Main Streets. Thankfully, this charmer is right here in Jersey City. Monticello Ave is actually one of America’s oldest main commercial streets; it’s even historically designated.

So sweeten your day and savor the moment at Tiny Topiary, whether craving healthful or indulgent treats. It’s all handmade and small batch. Think fresh artisan sourdough, sandwiches, soups, salads, quiche, loaded focaccia in sweet or savory varieties (blueberry, passionfruit, potato bacon, tomato herb), baked goods (that apple tart, the strawberries and cream cookies, the cinnamon buns, no wait…the sausage maple buns!). Daily specials always surprise and spark joy. Plus they offer all the coffees and teas — and even a gift nook.

Open 6 days a week (closed Mon), Tiny Topiary is brought to us by Lynne Burke and Jason Kratochvil. Our welcoming cafe hosts shifted from previous careers in startup, TV, and real estate, to invest in the neighborhood they love and become chef-owners at our newest community haven.

Here, delicious food is served in a friendly inclusive atmosphere. Ample seating in front, open kitchen in back. The cafe’s decor is sage green and white, with farmhouse vibes, accented with artistic sound-absorbing fabric panels in cheerful creative patterns. The intentional cozy design, sharing of delicious thoughtful food, and genuine warm smiles all amount to community building.

Hoboken Girl’s Jan 31 article by Erin Lanahan quoted the owners, “This place is more than a business to us. It’s a LOVE LETTER 💌 to our neighborhood. A space built on hope, hard work, and the belief that community matters… My husband and I decided to stop questioning why [parts of the streetscape were] empty and instead decided to start BEing THE CHANGE we want to see.”

Barrio Barista is a tiny treasure! Filipino-owned, by Jam Fernandez-Bolante and Jarwin Bolante at 60 Sip Ave since Novem...
05/13/2026

Barrio Barista is a tiny treasure! Filipino-owned, by Jam Fernandez-Bolante and Jarwin Bolante at 60 Sip Ave since November 2025, this equal parts cute, cool and delicious cafe serves all the usual suspects of matcha, cappuccino, mocha, chai… plus so much more!

Lattes in ube, pandan (omg!), and cookie butter. Calamansi refreshers. Cheesecake cups in ube, dulce de leche. Croissants. Apple turnovers. Cookies shaped like teddy bears. Yes, that! And with hospitality, prices, and a rewards card, that will make you smile.

A freshened up, deep teal and golden hued, charming space features a counter in back and a small sit-and-sip area in front, inviting guests to linger, read, or chat at marble-topped cafe tables surrounded by wicker chairs and a cheerful butter yellow banquette. Or nestle into the plush, blue velvet window seating and watch the world pass by.

Located just steps from JSQ Path station. So, “bumili ka” (buy something)! See you there!

Happy Mothers Day to all the beautiful nurturing inspiring mothers and mother figures in community. Thank you today and ...
05/10/2026

Happy Mothers Day to all the beautiful nurturing inspiring mothers and mother figures in community. Thank you today and everyday. 💜👏💕

Attend in-person March 13th at 7pm at Hudson County Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street!*Councilman Tom Zuppa...
05/08/2026

Attend in-person March 13th at 7pm at Hudson County Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street!*

Councilman Tom Zuppa and County Executive Craig Guy invite neighbors from the McGinley Square and Journal Square area to discuss proposed plans to develop the County lots on Cornelison at County Plaza.

In addition to a commitment to affordable housing, they seek community input on building a new neighborhood, going from parking lots to becoming housing, retail, and open space.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the plans and provide valuable community insight and feedback!

*Virtual option: The QR code opens a Google form for people wanting to attend via Zoom.

5:30 pm, Th. May 7 - Vision Zero Walking Tours in Ward B and Ward C - open to the public to join!Ward B meets at Lincoln...
05/07/2026

5:30 pm, Th. May 7 - Vision Zero Walking Tours in Ward B and Ward C - open to the public to join!

Ward B meets at Lincoln Park at Mallory Ave & Communipaw Ave.

Ward C meets at Culinary Arts Plaza at Newkirk St & Sip Ave.

Boulevard Drinks, a Journal Square institution since 1937, serving the best lemonade and hot dogs, representing authenti...
05/03/2026

Boulevard Drinks, a Journal Square institution since 1937, serving the best lemonade and hot dogs, representing authenticity, deliciousness, and simple goodness — a beloved small business that remains central to the square and part of the cultural identity of our neighborhood! ❤️

Amazing news for the Community Garden! ✨🌎🌱🤗 On Earth Day, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to partner with M...
05/02/2026

Amazing news for the Community Garden! ✨🌎🌱🤗 On Earth Day, City Council unanimously passed a resolution to partner with MSCB on the Hudson County Open Space Trust (HCOST) grant application to help fund acquisition of the former Migrant Community Garden on Glenwood! The City stated its commitment to acquisition, to return the lost garden to the people.

It took a village and three years to get here… and we are excited! Together, we will save and revitalize this vital, quality-of-life asset, as official public green space. Through its conservation, we will create a legacy for tomorrow. This is what teamwork, grassroots advocacy, and dreaming big look like. This is what government, working with and for the people, looks like.

For years, today seemed impossible. We hope this story of perseverance inspires community to never give up hope. Improve your neighborhood. If you can dream it, you can do it!

We feel grateful to the City’s leadership on social and environmental responsibility, and the trust placed in MSCB. Thank you to our new Mayor, Administration, and Council. Thank you to the County for inviting our full application. Thank you to the owner for being open.

Thank you to each individual and organization who supported us along the journey and joined this uphill climb! Whether you spoke at city meetings, signed a petition or wrote a letter of support, spread awareness, or simply encouraged us to keep going, you made the difference! Your outpouring of heartfelt letters from all over the city helped achieve the impossible.

This is one giant step. Our work is not done. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement about our May fundraiser and celebration! 🥳

SIGN UP TO SPEAK! Sign up to speak on Earth Day, Wed 4/22 on Earth Day at City Council. Use the link in our bio to sign ...
04/21/2026

SIGN UP TO SPEAK!
Sign up to speak on Earth Day, Wed 4/22 on Earth Day at City Council. Use the link in our bio to sign up for 3 min public comment on the Jersey City website. What better way to say “thank you” to glorious Mother Earth tomorrow and everyday in the future? Ask the City to commit to partnership for acquisition with MSCB and work with the owner as team mates, on a plan structured thru grants we’ve identified and applied for (State, County and City Open Space grants). This will not cost the City… and will serve the City and its people! Thank you to the owner and City for being open to resolving the situation with a win for all stakeholders in an area that needs it. Sign up! Create opportunity. Be the change.

DISCOVER WHAT A CITY PARK CAN BE!
Anchoring a diverse and vibrant live-work-study community, the Migrant Center Community Garden on Glenwood was open to the public for 22 years. It was a gathering place for people from all walks of life. It served the holistic community of students, immigrants, migrants and everyone. It provides access to nature in a densely populated environment where often a front stoop is the only option for outdoor space. The garden was a safe space, nature’s outdoor classroom, nourishment in a food desert, an urban forest, wildlife habitat, a haven for children and all ages and pets to play, heal, connect, and grow. It was even an outdoor theater for the performance of a play called Seedfolk about the transformative, unifying value of a diverse communal city garden. The community garden was one of Jersey City’s most progressive, equitable, transcendent and welcoming places.

We promise to bring it back even better than before with year-round programming and accessibility.

These pix were taken last year on Earth Day 2025 of a friendly visitor - the wild turkey - to the now vacant lot that was formerly the community garden. A symbol of hope for the return of this vital community-wide green space.

Neighbors, Earth Day is Wednesday, and we need your voices! Help save and revitalize the Community Garden. Sign up onlin...
04/19/2026

Neighbors, Earth Day is Wednesday, and we need your voices! Help save and revitalize the Community Garden. Sign up online TODAY (LINK IN BIO) to speak at City Council on Wed 4/22. Attend City Hall 280 Grove St, 2nd floor, Jersey City. The meeting starts at 6 pm. Everyone gets 3 min to speak during Public Comment. The community garden is agenda item 10.21 / Resolution 26-210.

Do you think McGinley Square needs more green space and parkland for the people? Are you concerned about your and your family’s access to nature and fresh produce? Environmental education? Immigrant rights, food insecurity, and affordability? Community health, wellbeing, and daily quality-of-life for all? Wildlife habitat? Ensuring there are adequate diverse “third spaces” in our neighborhood for learning, relaxing, socializing, exercising, healing, theatre, art and music?

Empower yourself. Help improve your community. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of positive change and revitalization of a greener, more sustainable, people-focused McGinley Square, Jersey City, and The Garden State. 🍅🫐 Ask the City to save this vital neighborhood asset and return it to serving the public it previously served for 22 years.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day?
🌞🌱🌎🐝🦋🫶

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