GARRET MOUNTAIN PHASE 2

Location: Woodland Park, NJ
Client: County of Passaic

Garret Mountain Reservation is a 568-acre park located in Woodland Park and Paterson, New Jersey. The park was originally conceived by the OImsted Brothers firm as part of the Passaic County Open Space system. Today, the park serves as a critical forested area with significant cultural and historic elements including Lambert Castle. MKW was retained by the County of Passaic to design context-sensitive improvements in two main areas: the Auto Overlook and High Meadow.

A site design was developed for the High Meadow and Auto Overlook that balances current community needs with the historic design by the Olmsted Brothers. MKW redesigned the Auto Overlook at the nothern end of the site focusing on universal access for the mobility-impaired, enhanced planting and drainage improvements. The parking lot is improved to clarify parking layout and provide efficiency. Stormwater runoff is redirected into a rain garden to eliminate current erosion issues. An accessible ramp provides a route to the overlook’s sweeping views of Paterson, as well as a picnic area and shade structure. A new accessible walkway dubbed the “Quarry Walk” directs park users to the top of the High Meadow and recalls the site’s historic quarry activity.

The anchor of the High Meadow is a new playground, which is the first in the park and showcases a nature theme punctuated with boulders, mounds, and planting. In addition to the playground, the High Meadow includes a fitness area, supplementing the park’s current use as a space for active recreation. Opportunities for leisure and passive recreation are provided by a shade structure and granite block amphitheatre. Both the High Meadow and Auto Overlook areas will include native plants exclusively which are suitable for Garret Mountain’s rocky soils and serve as habitat for migratory bird species.