PATERSON UNVEILS 6.4 ACRE VISTA STATE PARK DESIGN

Paterson, NJ – On June 6, 2024, Mayor Andre Sayegh, Paterson Historic Preservation Commission Director Gianfranco Archimede, and Martha Sapp, Director of the New Jersey Green Acres Program, unveiled the preferred layout for Paterson Vista State Park following a period of public design review input. This marks a significant milestone in creating a new 6.4-acre urban state park that will serve as a vibrant community space for residents and visitors alike.

Located in the vicinity of the majestic Great Falls National Park, Paterson Vista State Park offers unparalleled views of Paterson and its surroundings. Acquired by the State of New Jersey in 2016, this 6.4-acre parkland will now enter the final engineering phase to be ready for construction, scheduled to commence later this year. The park will boast a diverse range of passive recreational amenities, designed to cater to all age groups and ensure public accessibility. This acquisition solidifies the land as a public open space, establishing a continuous network of publicly-owned land from the Great Falls east to Ryle Avenue. This is the largest parcel of dedicated public open space to be established in Paterson since the 1890s.

Extensive community input shaped the park’s design. To gather feedback from residents, a public comment period and design review meeting were held. Schematic design sketches and a survey were posted online. The project architects from Suburban Consulting Engineers incorporated this feedback into the final design, which was revealed at today’s event.

Mayor Andre Sayegh expressed his gratitude, stating, “Vista Park will be a state-of-the-art park thanks to the public’s input. I am profoundly grateful to Gianfranco for ensuring that Patersonians were integral to the process. This park represents a beautiful addition to our city and a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. The feedback and ideas from our residents have truly shaped this park into a space that reflects the needs and desires of our community. We are creating a legacy for future generations to enjoy, and I am excited to see Vista Park become a cornerstone of our city’s green spaces.”

Gianfranco Archimede expressed his gratitude to the community, saying, “We are deeply thankful to all the Patersonians who participated in providing their input on the various sketches and ideas we developed. Your voices have truly shaped this park, and we are eagerly looking forward to its realization. This collaborative effort ensures that Vista Park will be a place that resonates with everyone in our community, offering a serene retreat and a vibrant space for recreation and connection.”

Martha Sapp highlighted the collaborative spirit, adding, “When it comes to Paterson, Green Acres and the Department of Environmental Protection are all in. We have a committed group of people who care about improving life in cities across New Jersey. Paterson has been an energetic and great role model for many other cities, and we look forward to the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting at Vista State Park.”

For more information about Paterson Vista State Park and updates on the project, please visit www.PatersonNJ.gov/VistaPark.

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