T


here’s no precedent for parks along the shores of Newark’s Passaic River,


an area marked by a history of heavy industry and serious water pollution. But here, The Trust for Public Land has partnered with the city to lead the development of Newark Riverfront Park, a seven-acre strip of greenery that spans the waterfront and opens up new public space for locals to enjoy. Although park construction was still in progress when Superstorm Sandy tore through New Jersey, flooding parts of Newark, the park sustained minimal damage—because it was designed to go underwater. The park features a new boardwalk made out of recycled plastic. It took a beating in Sandy and survived—


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STORMPROOF PARKS


52 · LAND&PEOPLE · SPRING/SUMMER 2013


unlike many other boardwalks in the area. “It was completely submerged in


the storm” says Anthony Cucchi, New Jersey state director for The Trust for Public Land, “yet even in its partially constructed state it fared very well. Seeing it withstand that test was a big relief to us all.” When complete, Newark River- front Park will include biking trails, a floating dock, a performance pavilion, and shrubs and other plantings spe- cially selected to prevent erosion at the water’s edge, even during a flood. You can find similar park planning


under way in New Orleans. Before Katrina, “water” was a dirty word, says Jeffrey Hebert, executive direc- tor of the New Orleans Redevelop- ment Authority. Prior to the storm,


New Orleans relied on walls to keep the city dry, closed off its canals, and pumped away stormwater wherever they found it. “Everyone thought our engineers would save us from any- thing we might face,” Hebert says. But after the storm, city leaders had


a change of heart. “Nature became the first line of defense,” Hebert explains. In 2012, the city adopted a plan called “Living With Water,” which aims to transform water into a public asset. Central to that vision is the Lafitte


Greenway, a three-mile linear park that runs through the heart of several historic neighborhoods. The green- way—in progress with help from The Trust for Public Land—will create new places to store water, reducing flooding in adjacent neighborhoods.


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