Trenton Square, which lies between the two International Finance Centre buildings, features benches, trees and a small lawn.
And during a ceremony yesterday, City of Trenton Mayor W Reed Gusciora, declared the new space open and a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the occasion.
A number of other delegates from New Jersey and representatives from the state’s digital sector were also present, alongside St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft and representatives from the Jersey Development Company, who built the complex.
Speaking before the opening, External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said: ‘The Island has strong historical links with New Jersey, and I hope this visit leads to the development of broader links for the Island of Jersey with both the State of New Jersey and the United States of America.’
A square named after Jersey is also due to be opened in Trenton, and during a visit to the city earlier this year, Island representatives viewed a number of potential locations. No date has been set as to when this may happen.
The name Trenton was coined by a wealthy Scottish businessman, William Trent, who in 1719 bought a large parcel of land from Mahlon Stacy – a Quaker originally from Sheffield, who fled Britain after being persecuted for his religious beliefs.
Soon after, the land was renamed Trent-Towne and was then shortened to Trenton. In 1784, for around two months following the American Revolutionary War, it was regarded the capital city of the USA. And in the 19th century, Trenton flourished as Europeans came to work in its pottery and wire rope mills. Its population continued to expand over the following decades.
On social media, some have regarded the naming of Trenton Square as controversial, because of the way in which William Trent made his money.
Alongside his role as a tobacco, flour, fur, wine, rum and molasses merchant, he is also understood to have been a slave trader. He died in 1724 from a suspected stroke but in 1737, three slaves were accused of poisoning him. They were later arrested and hanged.
