This spring, the University’s Meadows Neighborhood flourished as a hub of activity at new athletic, recreational and residential facilities, making the tree-lined, mixed-use community near Lake Carnegie a welcome addition to Princeton’s campus.

Set across 85 acres, the neighborhood was built on lands the University has owned for more than 100 years and marks the first major campus expansion in West Windsor Township.

“The Meadows Neighborhood is a natural and distinctive extension of the University’s campus, bringing together new facilities in a unique and beautiful setting,” Executive Vice President Katie Callow-Wright said. “The vibrant community helps advance our commitment to health and wellness and supports Princeton’s sustainability goals.”

On a recent sunny afternoon, graduate students gathered outside to enjoy the green lawns and outdoor seating that surround the Meadows Apartments. The housing complex consists of three apartment buildings with large windows and are available to graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and their families.

David Anderson, a Ph.D. student in public affairs, appreciates living in the quiet setting close to campus. “My partner and I value our connections to nature. There are footpaths, scores of wildlife and sprawling fields located all around the Meadows; the views and vistas that we have here can be hard to come by,” Anderson said.

The Meadows Apartments features green lawns and outdoor seating. 

Photo by Chris Cooper

The lush grounds create opportunities for connection and provide ample spaces for family-friendly activities. The Meadows Apartments include a large community room, children’s playroom, community garden, study rooms and outdoor barbecue.

Near the residential buildings, new varsity and recreational athletic facilities extend across the neighborhood. Princeton’s varsity softball, squash, tennis and women’s rugby teams enjoy new fields, courts and venues in and near the Racquet and Recreation Fieldhouse, the centerpiece of the Meadows athletic complex.

Princeton’s varsity squash (seen here), softball, tennis and women’s rugby teams enjoy new courts, fields and amenities at the Meadows Neighborhood. 

Photo by Sideline Photos LLC

The more than 180,000 square-foot fieldhouse features new athletic performance and sports medicine facilities, a student-athlete lounge, varsity locker rooms and coaches’ offices. It also includes the Wilkinson Fitness Center, 9,000 square feet of workout space, a fitness studio and a locker room that is open to all students, staff and faculty.

“As a runner and tennis player, it's really convenient to be right next to the Wilkinson Fitness Center, the tennis courts and walking paths,” said Alicia Zhang, a Ph.D. student in economics who serves as a Meadows community associate.

The Racquet and Recreation Fieldhouse is the centerpiece of the new athletic Meadows hub. 

Photo courtesy of Don Pearse Photographers

The state-of-the-art Meadows athletic hub supports Princeton’s commitments to athletics, recreation, health and wellness. Last month, the University officially dedicated the indoor and outdoor athletic spaces made possible by a series of gifts to the Venture Forward campaign.

Beneath Meadows' field spaces are 500 geo-exchange bores that advance the University’s sustainability goal of carbon neutrality by 2046. The geo-exchange bores are part of a thermal-energy network, connected by the central utility building (CUB), which uses stored water to heat and cool the entire Meadows Neighborhood.

The verdant neighborhood also features more than 1,000 new trees and native shrubs, as well as woodlands, courtyards, rain gardens and open meadows.

Residents and visitors can walk, bike, ride the free TigerTransit shuttle or drive to the Meadows Neighborhood. Covered bike parking areas are available throughout the community, and the 600-space Meadows Garage includes electric vehicle charging stations and designated parking spaces for vehicles using the University's carshare programs.

Graduate students enjoy the community room at the Meadows Apartments. 

Photo by Chris Cooper