Design & Placemaking

Explaining the importance of local context-driven design.....

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• Permeable landscaping to mitigate flooding.
• Native plant species suited for flood-prone areas.
• Lighting should be at a human-scale height.
• The Greenway should connect to the proposed Bergen Arches and Hackensack Riverwalk, densifying the active transportation network in the region and increasing accessibility to public transit networks for residents of Jersey City and other municipalities.
• Create space for food trucks.
• Provide plentiful seating, shade, and restrooms.

• Create connection with Secaucus Junction Station.
• Connect with Secaucus Transit Village Redevelopment Area.
• Incorporate Laurel Hill Park and its elements, including boardwalk.
• Create additional wetland overlook areas with informational/educational signage.
• Explore bicycle and pedestrian connections with other residential areas in Secaucus.
• Provide shade, wind shelter for path segments in exposed wetland landscape.
• Possible site for visitor center, could include utilities or educational spaces.
• Anticipate increased traffic volume from commuters to Jersey City.

Programming Recommendations

• Boardwalk
  • For wetland, wildlife, city viewing
• Information Displays
  • Wetland science, ecology, biology, etc
  • Relevant freight infrastructure facts
  • Meadowlands / NJSEA information
• Tower Viewers & Mounted Binoculars
  • For wildlife and cityscape viewing
• DB Drawbridge
  • Monument?
  • Necessitates bridge
• Greenway Bridge
  • Sculpture art
  • Elevator/Stairwell access to ground

• Opportunity to create Kearny's primary Greenway access point at the Arlington Depot Park location to divert Greenway users away from greenway intersections in residential areas. 
• Tie in the Greenway's programming with local schools:
  • Provide outdoor classrooms along the Greenway for educational programming to support local schools, particularly those within walking distance of the Greenway. 
  • Partner with local schools to create murals along the Greenway. 
• Provide shade and wind shelter for path segments in exposed wetland landscape.

Programming Recommendations

• Educational Programming: 
  • Outdoor classrooms
  • Educational nature walk with signage (describing local plants, pollinators, wildlife, ecosystems, etc)
  • Natural playground
• Art & Culture: 
  • School mural projects – coordinated with local schools
  • Outdoor painting classes 
  • Art from local artists 
  • Tie-in with existing graffiti art on greenway – graffiti residency & mural walls 
• Tie-in with points of community pride: 
  • Kearny’s “Soccer Town USA” title
  • High school crew team (near the Passaic crossing)
•  Kearny Ave. Intersection: 
  • Food carts / pop-ups from local restaurants 
  • Bikeshare partnership located at Kearny Ave. and Arlington Depot Park intersection
•  Walking Clubs:
  • Walking groups for older adults, coordinated with local senior centers 
  • Provide frequent and plentiful seating & rest areas to create an inviting Greenway experience for older adults
• Historic Landmarks:
  • Lookout point – W&R Drawbridge
  • Historical exhibits highlighting local history 
  • Walking tours of greenway with local historians

• Create primary Greenway access point at the Highland Ave and Manchester Pl. location with its close proximity to Branch Brook Park and Park Elementary School.

• Provide outdoor interactive spaces along the Greenway for recreational programming to support local schools and sport centers within walking distance of the Greenway.

• Partner with local businesses to provide cleanup / recycle days due to industrial uses along the Greenway.

• Provide space for local artists to showcase their work along greenway.

• Create communal hub experience for local residents to explore and host events on the Greenway .

• Encourage biking and walking to nearby transit locations and along the Greenway.

Programming Recommendations

Recreational Programming: 

• Outdoor interactive spaces (spaces for pop-up shops)
• Biking /Scooter stations, located at both ends of the Greenway
• Covered spaces along Greenway for local residents to host events or just rest

Art, Culture, Community Identity:

• Mural projects – coordinated with local schools, artists, businesses
• Outdoor Makers Market hosted by local artisans and businesses
• Celebrate culture and identity of Newark by planting Cherry Blossoms along Greenway

Maintenance:

• Provide ample trash cans and recycle bins along Greenway
• Provide signage to areas for disposal of waste
• Incorporate plants that absorb pollutants from the surrounding area

• Residents and visitors to Belleville Township can benefit from an accessible and environmental-friendly transportation option by adding a bike share stations and charging station for electric vehicles (EVs).
• The width of Intersection 2 can also be utilized to host food trucks, creating a vibrant and dynamic public space. It can attract more visitors and keep them there longer, promoting a sense of community and social interaction.
• Having a green space within an urban setting can offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation with a variety of amenities, including benches, picnic tables, and water features.
• Additionally, it can be designed to incorporate sustainable features, such as native plants, rain gardens, and green infrastructure. It can boost biodiversity, reduce heat islands, and improve air and water quality.
• Host pop-up markets and other temporary events as well as food trucks can add vibrancy to the Greenway and provide opportunities for local businesses.
• Cultural events like concerts and art exhibits like the cherry blossom festival and jazz festival to celebrate the diversity and richness of the local community.

Programming Recommendations

• Art & Culture: 
  • Bloomfest: Featuring stage performances, cultural demonstrations, and children's activities in Branch Brook Park, Belleville. 
• Connectivity:
  • Bikeshare Partnership along the Greenway connecting the municipal
  • Escooter partnership (lime,veo) in Belleville  
• Linear Park: 
  •  Designing and selecting equipment that is more accessible to people of all ages and abilities
• Food and Markets:
  • A farmers' market offering fresh fruits and vegetables as well as handmade crafts and local honey.
  • Food truck and outdoor container cafes

• Enable Bloomfield’s young and engaged residents to: 
  • Take ownership of their space,
  • Gather outdoors on a small, medium, or ad-hoc basis,
  • And enjoy outdoor space not dedicated to golf or baseball.
• Celebrate and promote Bloomfield’s:
  • Native plants,
  • Connection to other trails,
  • And historic preservation and diverse architecture.

• Concentrate programming meant to attract outside visitors to Broad St. corridor.
• Use Greenway as an active transportation corridor to connect the skate park, Town Green, local High School, Cultural Center, etc.

Programming Recommendations

• Community garden, could tie-in with the Bloomfield Community Gardens
• Native flower beds with educational signage
• Flex spaces for outdoor dining and picnicking
• Flex spaces for outdoor performances and movement classes
• Rotating mural program to feature works by local artists and students
• Electronic billboards showing local events, times, and direction
• Interesting and accessible ways to go up, down, and around the Greenway at the different elevations within Bloomfield

• Take advantage of 100 foot ROW:
  • Smallest portion is about 30 feet 
• Gas lights along this area would tie in with existing community placemaking.
• Utilize the large amount of space provided by the Greenway's right-of-way to create small recreational areas.
• Rain gardens and other plantings that absorb pollutants and manage stormwater.
• Encourage biking and walking
  • Bike trail
• Utilize Victorian elements to connect to the style of the town.
• Consider how we can connect the Greenway to the rest of the town.

Programming Recommendations:

• Pocket parks will fit a range of right-of-way widths.
• Small recreational facilities.
• Bike facilities, showers, lockers to support bike trail.
• Commercial kiosks.