VISTA PARK MASTER PLAN RESTORING RECREATIONAL USE OVERLOOKING PATERSON'S HISTORIC AREA Paterson, New Jersey Acknowledgments VISTA PARK PARTNERS National Park Service, Northeast Region Office Amanda Jones, Community Planner, Park Planning and Special State of New Jersey Studies Cathy Elliott-Shaw, Team Leader, Urban Acquisition and Statewide Park Development Team, New Jersey Green Helen Mahan, Chief, Conservation and Recreation Assistance Acres Program Collective Joshua Osowski, Northern Superintendent, New Jersey State Jeff Killion, Historical Landscape Architect, Olmsted Center for Park Service Landscape Preservation Amy Sumoski, New Jersey Green Acres Program VISTA PARK STAKEHOLDERS John Trontis, Assistant Director, New Jersey State Park Service (former) Jack DeStefano, Director, Paterson Museum City of Paterson Robin Gold, Program Director, Hamilton Partnership for Paterson Gianfranco Archimede, Director, Historic Preservation Bob Guarasci, President and CEO, New Jersey Community Ben-David Seligman, Law Department Development Corporation Chief Vincent Mann, Turtle Clan Chief, Ramapough Lunaape Nation Paterson Public Schools Nicholas A. Moretta, Special Assistant to the Leonard Zax, President and CEO, Hamilton Partnership for Paterson Executive Director Steve Morlind, Executive Director of Facilities CONTRACTOR TEAM Passaic County T.J. Best, Freeholder Elizabeth Clarke, Planner Kathleen M. Caren, Open Space Coordinator, Robert Forloney, Program Developer and Department of Planning and Economic Development Cultural Institution Consultant Michael Lysicatos, Assistant Director, Department of Kelly Ream, GIS Specialist and Graphic Designer Planning and Economic Development Elliot Rhodeside, FASLA, Landscape Architect, Rhodeside & Harwell Kelly Ruffel, Director, Department of Cultural and Rachel Schneider, Landscape Designer, Rhodeside & Harwell Historic Affairs Colleen Williams, Landscape Designer, Rhodeside & Harwell Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Darren Boch, Superintendent Ilyse Goldman, Chief, Interpretation August 2018 (cover photo: G.Archimede) VISTA PARK MASTER PLAN RESTORING RECREATIONAL USE OVERLOOKING PATERSON'S HISTORIC AREA Paterson, New Jersey Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Maps The Park Site—Its Boundaries and Adjoining Landowners ...................................................... 4 Vista Park Site ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Need for the Plan ........................................................................................................... 5 Vistas and Views ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Planning Process ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Vista Park's Context on the Plateau above the Cliff ................................................................... 4 Planning Issues and Opportunities .................................................................................................... 7 Vista Park's Context Adjoining Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park .................... 11 Related Plans and Projects ................................................................................................................... 11 Great Falls State Park Master Plan—Loop Trails Concept ........................................................ 13 Neighborhood Context ........................................................................................................................... 31 History of the Park Site Ownership and Land Use .............................................. 19 Access ........................................................................................................................................................... 33 Prehistoric Era ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Slope ........................................................................................................................................................... 40 17th and 18th Century.............................................................................................................................. 19 Natural Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Revolutionary War Years ........................................................................................................................ 20 Site Improvements ................................................................................................................................... 44 Early 19th Century .................................................................................................................................... 20 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................................... 48 The Passaic Water Company Years (1850 to 1908) .................................................................... 21 Related Resources—Large Resource-Based Parks on First and The 20th Century ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Second Watchung Mountains .............................................................................................................. 59 The 21st Century ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Vista Park Master Plan Concept 1—Play Room ............................................................................. 75 Neighborhood Context and Access ........................................................................ 31 Vista Park Master Plan Concept 2—Performance Room ........................................................... 77 Neighborhood Access ............................................................................................................................. 31 Vista Park Master Plan Concept 3—Learning Room ................................................................... 79 Access ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 Vista Park Master Plan Concept 4—Play + Performance Room ............................................. 81 Parking .......................................................................................................................................................... 34 Vista Park Master Plan Concept 4—Play + Performance Room Lighting Concept ........ 82 Pedestrian Access ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Bicycle Access ............................................................................................................................................ 36 Transit Access ............................................................................................................................................. 36 Existing Site Conditions ............................................................................................. 39 Natural Features ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Site Improvements ................................................................................................................................... 45 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................................... 47 Foundation for Planning ............................................................................................ 55 Park Purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 55 Park Significance ....................................................................................................................................... 55 Fundamental Resources and Values ................................................................................................. 57 Other Important Resources and Values ........................................................................................... 58 Related Resources .................................................................................................................................... 59 Park Interpretive Framework ................................................................................................................ 60 Master Plan .................................................................................................................... 69 Vision ........................................................................................................................................................... 69 Guiding Principles ....................................................................................................................................