AKRF is the engineer-of-record for the design of Overlook Park on a brownfield site adjacent to the Passaic River and Paterson Great Falls in New Jersey.

Our design team was charged with maximizing views, public accessibility to the park, pedestrian circulation, and stormwater management on a site that has steep slopes and extreme topographic changes of over 50 feet. Our solution involved the creation of terraced levels and catwalks throughout the park, as well as an amphitheater for viewing the falls.

Stormwater from upper levels is captured in bioswales and conveyed to lower levels, where it is slowly released through two earthen berms that hold the amphitheater. All disturbed soil was relocated into landscaped berms where it could be capped and serve to accent and support other park features.