on three primary goals: downtown revitalization, connectivity, and recreation improvements. The town’s comprehensive recreation master plan, completed during the pandemic, laid a roadmap for enhancing outdoor spaces and trails, a significant part of Bernardsville’s identity. “People want to be outdoors, whether walking, hiking, or biking,” Malool explains. “We’ve added new trails and improved existing ones to connect different parts of town.” Another priority is securing affordable housing that blends into the community.“We want to ensure that affordable housing is integrated into the town’s fabric, not set apart,” Canose explains. Projects that fulfill Bernardsville’s affordable housing obligations are in the pipeline, with groundbreaking expected by late 2025 or early 2026. Ribeiro sees Bernardsville’s future as one built on its existing strengths. “We take pride in being a hidden gem, a place where families want to live and businesses want to grow,” Ribeiro says.“Our goal 40 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10
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