| Duck Island, New Jersey | |
| Settlement Type: | Unincorporated community |
| Pushpin Map: | USA New Jersey Mercer County#USA New Jersey#USA |
| Pushpin Label: | Duck Island |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Duck Island in Mercer County Inset: Location of county within the state of New Jersey |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Mercer |
| Subdivision Type3: | Township and City |
| Subdivision Name3: | Hamilton and Trenton |
| Coordinates: | 40.1883°N -74.7508°W |
| Unit Pref: | imperial |
Duck Island is an unincorporated community located along the border of Hamilton Township and the city of Trenton in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[1] [2] The community takes its name from Duck Island, which extends southeastward from the community. The city of Trenton provides public docks for fishing in Duck Island.[3]
Duck Island was frequented as a lovers' lane during the 1930s due to its remoteness and nearness to Trenton. One evening in 1938, a young couple parked at a secluded spot on Duck Island were shot after money was demanded of them. One died at the scene, while the second died the next day. A year later, a second couple parked at Duck Island was shot dead. A botched murder attempt on another young couple parked in a lovers' lane in Tullytown, Pennsylvania, led to the arrest of Clarence Hill in 1942. Motivated by sexual and voyeuristic urges, the serial killer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for what became known as the "Duck Island Murders".[4] [5]
In 1996, there were plans to build a $260 million trash incinerator on Duck Island, but the proposal was defeated by the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[6]