Newark Riverfront Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newark Riverfront Park |
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Signature orange boardwalk at Newark Riverfront Park
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Newark, New Jersey, United States |
| Designer | Hector, Mott MacDonald, Weintraub Diaz, James Corner, among others |
| Operated by | Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, City of Newark |
Newark Riverfront Park is a cool park and walking path being built along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey. This park will be about 3 miles long and cover over 30 acres. It's being created on land that used to be old, unused industrial sites. The river itself is also being cleaned up.
The park follows the river between the Ironbound area and Downtown Newark. It was first announced in 1999, and construction began in 2008. The first part of the park opened in 2012. This was a big deal because it was the first time people in Newark could publicly access the river in over 100 years! More parts of the park have opened since then, and others are still being built. The East Coast Greenway, a long trail for walking and biking, also uses paths along the park.
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A Park with a Past: Cleaning Up the River
The banks of the Passaic River were once home to many factories. Over time, these areas became polluted and abandoned. The EPA is now working to clean up these sites. One big polluter was the Diamond Alkali company in the Ironbound section.
Cleaning the river is a huge project. It's one of the biggest cleanups ever planned! While cleaning the river has been discussed for years, people recently saw it as a chance to create new parks. Connecting environmental cleanup with building new parks is a smart way to invest in our communities.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers has helped restore much of the river's edge in Newark. They rebuilt over 6,000 feet of river walls. They also reshaped over 3,200 feet of riverbank and planted native plants. This helps make the river healthier and more beautiful.
How the Park Was Built
The idea for Newark Riverfront Park started in 1999. Construction began in 2008. The park is a team effort. It's being developed by the City of Newark, The Trust for Public Land, the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, and the Essex County Department of Parks. In its early days, the park was named after Joseph G. Minish.
Phase 1: Opening the River to Everyone
The first part of the park opened in 2012. This section is about 12 acres and runs along Raymond Boulevard. It was designed by Mott MacDonald. This part of the park includes fun playgrounds, fields for soccer and baseball, a boardwalk, and walking trails. This was a historic moment, giving people their first public access to the river in over a century! This section was first known as Essex County Riverfront Park. It is part of the Essex County Park System.
Phase 2: The Bright Orange Boardwalk
Phase 2 of the park opened in 2013. It's located next to the existing Riverbank Park. One of the most eye-catching parts of this phase is its bright orange boardwalk. It also has four large orange poles. You can easily spot this colorful boardwalk from trains passing by Newark Penn Station.
Phase 3: More Paths and Fitness Fun
Phase 3 of the park opened in December 2017. Newark’s Mayor Ras J. Baraka held a ceremony to celebrate. This section is four acres. It offers more walking and bike paths. You can also find river overlooks, where you can enjoy views of the water. There's even outdoor exercise equipment in a fitness zone! This phase also includes seating, lighting, and features to help protect against floods.
Phase 4: Expanding Upstream
Construction began on Phase 4 of the park in October 2017. This part was designed by James Corner. It covers areas along McCarter Highway. These sections are north of Dock Bridge and Newark Penn Station. The park will eventually reach the Bridge Street Bridge. Land next to this part of the park is planned for new buildings that will have different uses, like homes and shops.
