Hutchinson Mills

Hutchinson Mills may initially feel similar to many other small suburbs outside Trenton, New Jersey. But for longtime real estate salespeople like Stefanie Prettyman, an agent with Keller Williams Premier who has sold hundreds of homes in the Trenton area, the Hutchinson Mills neighborhood is unique. “The biggest selling point is that, unlike other neighborhoods, Hutchinson Mills has a sort of ‘Main Street’ at its center,” says Prettyman. “More and more people are looking for neighborhoods that offer walkability, convenience and locally owned establishments.”

Most of the homes sit on quiet side streets and dead-end cul-de-sacs off Klockner Road, Hutchinson Mills’s “Main Street'' and the community's hub of commerce and culture. Large retail centers, natural areas and commercial facilities occupy the neighborhood's outskirts, diverting traffic away from the residential blocks. Many streets lack sidewalks, but with off-street parking and no through traffic, it’s easy to take the dog for a walk after work without worrying about oncoming cars. Architectural types include raised and extended brick ranches, move-in ready colonials with attached garages and Cape Cods with large front porches. Houses in Hutchinson Mills sell for a median price of $300,000, far below the national average and slightly lower than other neighborhoods in Hamilton County. Rare finds such as Dutch Colonials sometimes hit the market, but those homes – along with those that back up to one of the neighborhood lakes – sell quickly for up to $500,000.

Grounds for Sculpture is the pride of Hutchinson Mills, a one-of-a-kind outdoor sculpture garden, museum and arboretum spread across 42 acres of picturesque hills and streams in the neighborhood's southwest corner. Most locals purchase GFS Memberships, enjoying year-round access to programming and exhibits, including hands-on classes, contemporary dance performances and horticulture walking tours. Grounds for Sculpture is also home to Rat’s Restaurant, an award-winning French bistro named for Ratty from the children’s storybook The Wind in the Willows. Rat’s Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience, a locally sourced, chef-driven French menu served on a candlelit outdoor grotto that will transport you into a 19th-century French impressionist painting. The sculpture garden is illuminated at night, creating an unforgettable ambiance and earning Rat’s Restaurant the distinction of “Most Romantic Restaurant” from Philadelphia Magazine.

Most local restaurants and retail are located along Klockner Road, where small businesses like Victor’s Meat Market and Bliz’s Tavern operate out of rezoned colonial homes. La Casona’s Latin Fusion menu features empanadas, ceviche and housemade margaritas in a laid-back, cozy dining room, while Mario’s Pizza sells pizza by the slice in an old-school counter-style pizzeria with wood interior paneling and vintage chandeliers. Most grocery and retail shopping happens at The Court at Hamilton, a shopping mall built around the neighborhood Walmart Supercenter.

There are plenty of ways to stay active in Hutchinson Park. Take a morning stroll through the 42-acre campus at Grounds for Sculpture with a cold brew from the Van Gogh Cafe. Harness yourself in at Rockville Climbing Center, New Jersey’s favorite indoor rock climbing facility, open to the public for birthday parties, youth climbing programs, summer camps and private lessons. If you’re afraid of heights, ride your bike to the diamond at Hamilton Girls Softball Association, a fastpitch softball organization for girls ages 5-17. You can also drive 40 minutes on Interstate 95 to Long Beach for some fun in the sun, or catch a train to New York or Philadelphia at the Hamilton Train Station, both less than 90 minutes and $20 from Hutchinson Mills.

Children in Hutchinson Mills begin their education at Klockner Elementary School, a C-plus-rated institution for K-5 students located at the heart of the neighborhood, before moving on to Crockett Middle School. For high school, students attend Nottingham High School, a B-rated school on Niche with a highly regarded college counseling program and athletic teams that consistently compete for district championships. In 2018, Nottingham High School received a Bronze recognition from the US News & World Report, and the boys’ basketball team won their first-ever state championship.

Written By

Jack Hale

Photography Contributed By

Jay Ratchford

Video By

Matt Pangman