Work: Great Falls Historical Park Master Plan

Our Urban Parks Master Plan makes the very best use of the budget to highlight and connect the most dramatic and historic attributes of Great Falls Park: the magnificent Falls and spectacular geology displayed in the fractured rock from seismic upheaval, the timeless footprints of the industrial landscape (its buildings and raceways) and water in every form and in every season.  

The challenge with this project was to wisely and significantly impact the core of the Great Falls Park within the $10 million budget – a budget only large enough to take on a first phase of implementation. Phase One must create interest and excitement so there are additional Phases and funding sources for them. Making this unique treasure both Paterson’s own Central Park and a national destination will revitalize the city’s economy through cultural tourism and spurring development opportunity in the surroundings. We have focused resources on repair, restoration, and re-use as well as new initiatives such as the Overlook Entry Plaza and Visitors Center, linkages such as the “Broomstick” pedestrian bridge spanning the Passaic that links neighborhoods, and new pathways including a Riverwalk and the adaptive re-use of the ATP site to increase activity. We recommended two public / private development initiatives along McBride Avenue that will leverage valuable real estate locations into a steady stream of revenue for Park maintenance and make its city edge vibrant with street life.  

Our philosophy is to link all the elements of the plan to attract people to the water and connect the experience of the Great Falls with the industrial archeology and diverse ecology. To enhance the daily experience of Paterson’s citizens, our design makes the Park a beautiful and understandable place for leisure, learning and recreation with easy and safe neighborhood access.