Land Use Opportunities Historically, land uses within the Village •Trails and other safe and acces- of South Orange have been logically sible connections are also necessary organized in relation to one another as for the overall success of land use Ridgewood Road well as the river corridor itself, a trend enhancements throughout the cor- that continues today. The Village Cen- ridor. ter, train station and Middle School are located within a compact urban core In addition to the few major enhance- that is easily accessible from adjacent ments proposed in image 3.07, various residential neighborhoods. Recreation- minor modifications to existing land 9 3 al and utilitarian spaces are located uses can be made to improve one’s ex- 1 5 around the edges of the study area and perience along the river corridor: 4 within the floodplain of the river, taking 2 advantage of space that cannot be built •Creation of park gateways provide upon. direction for users and emphasizes 8 entrances into various parts of the Although South Orange currently has an corridor. effective land use framework in place, •Certain historic structures may be opportunities exist to evolve the cur- rehabilitated to better serve recre- rent land uses that will serve to en- ational facilities. hance one’s experience within the river •Riverbank treatments can be reha- corridor: bilitated. •Access to various public spaces •Portions of the Village Center are along the corridor can be improved. ripe for infill development, specifi- •Focal points and overlooks can be cally around the existing train sta- created for visual interest along the tion and the Performing Arts Center, river. Opportunities 1. Reuse pumphouse as ‘Nature Center’ with mixed use development and •Existing access and parking can be structured parking on undeveloped better integrated into the existing 2. Develop pedestrian/bicycle river crossing sites. land uses. 3. Consolidate DPW site •The underutilized DPW site presents 4. Create focal point area a unique opportunity to consolidate 5. Utilize for recreation public works operations in order to 6. South Orange Middle School dedicate the remaining land for pas- 7. Create Park gateway sive open space, nature study and/ 8. Relocate recreation building, retain play area or active recreation. 9. Provide access from Church Street 30 Concepts Opportunities Village of South Orange, New Jersey East Branch of the Rahway River Master Plan Existing Woodland Existing Passive Recreation 21 Existing Ballfield Existing Tennis Court Recreation Area Church Street 6 Existing Institutional Uses 20 South Orange Avenue 7 Mead Street 13 Mixed Use Above Parking 2 16 18 Meadowbrook Lane 12 Focal Point Third Street 19 17 Existing Road 14 10 Urban Revitalization Dis- 15 trict Boundary Proposed Trail Connection 11 Strengthen Existing Trail Connection 10. Define pedestrian access to train station and 17. Create park gateway and new pe- Sloan Street. destrian bridge 11. Consider mixed use/structured parking 18. Reconfigure and beautify parking Enhance Park Gateway 12. Beautify river edge lot to allow for a trail along the river 13. Create greenway and bicycle/pedestrian path 19. Create river focal point area Enhance River Connection to Thrid Street 20. Create an interpretive center in the to Urban Core/Create Ur- 14. Performing Arts Center historic structure ban Gateway 15. South Orange Train Station 21. Park gateway/scenic overlook to 3.07 Land use opportuni- ties plan (RHI, 2004). 16. Improve sight lines/connections Floods Hill Opportunities Concepts 31 East Branch of the Rahway River Master Plan Village of South Orange, New Jersey Program Opportunities A wide range of recreational, environ- supplement existing shops, restaurants mental and educational activities occur and cafés. The Performing Arts Center within the study area, however op- can further enhance the user’s experi- Ridgewood Road portunities still exist to create a more ence and provide connections to other dynamic river corridor. Current land use programmatic opportunities through- patterns, resource allocation and his- out the river corridor. The creation of a toric land use patterns give rise to three river-oriented public plaza could an- major programmatic opportunity zones chor this redevelopment in the Village within the study area. Center. 7 2 1 8 The southern portion of the study area The northern portion of the study area 4 has many opportunities related to rec- presents opportunities for preserva- 3 reation, ecological preservation and tion and rehabilitation of historic land- interpretation. Existing recreational fa- scapes as well as maintaining existing cilities in this area are Chyzowych Field, modern recreational resources. Further Waterlands Park, and Farrell Field. This opportunities within the northern por- area is also the most densely forested tion of the study area include engag- and least developed portion of the cor- ing the South Orange Middle School in ridor, creating a suitable area for eco- educational programs related to ripar- logical interpretation via a new nature ian habitats, ecology, local history and center. Underutilized lands at the DPW open space, so that future generations site further enhance this opportunity, of residents may understand the many offering the possibility to study wet- natural and cultural resources extant in lands at the river’s edge. South Orange. Additionally, removing of public spaces and ecological habitats some existing programmed recreation along the river corridor. With leadership Major programmatic improvements space in this area creates the poten- and coordination from public agencies within the Village Center are primar- tial to improve access and relax stream or private, nonprofit groups, stream ily related to enhancing the “sense of bank slopes in certain areas. restoration projects, park clean-up place;” an opportunity exists to create a days, or environmental education ses- livelier, more comfortable and memo- Corridor-wide programmatic opportu- sions can be organized to benefit both rable setting within the rich historic nities include prospects for volunteers the residents of South Orange and the urban context. Additional retail and and organizations to become involved natural and public spaces they use. commercial space can be created to in the rehabilitation and maintenance 32 Concepts Opportunities Village of South Orange, New Jersey East Branch of the Rahway River Master Plan Existing Woodland Existing Passive Recre- ation 21 Existing Ballfield Existing Ball Court Church Street 6 Potential Recreation Area Mead Street 12 17 19 South Orange Avenue Orange South 5 Meadowbrook Lane Institutional Use 13 16 Third Street Existing Buildings 15 23 23 9 Potential Buildings 18 20 11 22 Existing Road 10 14 Existing Trail Potential Trail Opportunities 12. Urban infill with ground floor retail 1. River interpretive area 13. Mixed use above parking Improve Crosswalk 2. Nature/interpretive center 14. Existing Baird Recreation Center 3. Ecological/conservation area 15. Urban gateway feature Park Boundary 4. Relocated shelter/picnic facility 16. River-oriented focal point 5. Reconfigure parking for more open space 17. Historic Duck Pond Focal Point 6. Gateway features 18. Accessible parking 7. Pedestrian access to Chyzowych Field 19. Interpretative facility 8. Tennis courts adjacent to Chyzowych Field 20. Existing recreation field 9. Urban plaza 21. Existing Floods Hill Park 10. Existing train station 22. Existing Montrose School 3.08 Program opportunities 23. Remove Existing Tennis Courts plan (RHI, 2004). 11. Performing Arts Center Opportunities Concepts 33 East Branch of the Rahway River Master Plan Village of South Orange, New Jersey The Master Plan 35 East Branch of the Rahway River Corridor Village of South Orange, New Jersey Goals Vision Statement The East Branch of the Rahway River is the heart of the Village of South Orange, and the rehabilitation of its physical, ecological and hydrological health will evi- 1. Provide safe and continuous pedestrian and dence its importance to our community. bicycle connections along the corridor. We, the residents of South Orange will no longer feel a barrier between ourselves 2. Improve connections from adjacent neighbor- and our river. We will be able to walk up to the banks of our river and touch the water. As often as possible, we will daylight our underground waterways, exposing hoods and land uses; preserve and enhance our river for all to see. Where walls must remain, they will serve as promontories access to recreation. and promenades, offering views along the watershed and focal points to the wa- tershed. 3. Make the river edges accessible, turning the The river will be a thriving ecosystem, filled with native grasses and flowering trees slopes into an amenity. and shrubs, rather than invasive plant species. 4. Expand opportunities for active and passive The banks of our river will no longer erode; a dense mat of roots from native recreation. plants will protect our soil, and the water of our river will be clear. The river and our parks will not appear as utilitarian, leftover spaces, but will be 5. Lead the way for other communities seeking to beautifully designed with plantings, pathways, lighting, signage and comfortable reclaim waterfronts. places to sit. Vistors to South Orange will remember times that they spent strolling the banks 6. Create a unified project aesthetic while balancing of the river after seeing a performance downtown, or after coffee, dinner or drinks urban and natural characteristics. from one of the restaurants nearby. Our children will grow up learning to treasure their river, having learned about fish 7. Preserve and enhance historical features along the and birds, trees and reeds along its banks. They will play along its banks knowing corridor; rehabilitate the historic character of the what a wonderful resource with which they are blessed, and they will teach their corridor. children to treasure the river as well. 8. Improve the ecological and hydrological value of the river corridor. 9. Create a learning environment by maximizing educational opportunities. 4.01 View from the top of Floods Hill 4.02 River view (RHI, 4.03 Southern Trail (RHI, (RHI, 2004).