July 16, 2007
Update: New Jersey Capital Park System Project
In November 2006, WRT created a special feature regarding a competition-winning scheme for a new urban parks initiative in Trenton, NJ. The feature,which provides further details on the scope of the project,can be viewed via the following link:
Re-casting Trenton: Creating New Jersey's Capital Park System
Part of the project's goal is to link the park and Trenton's streets to the Delaware River waterfront, while taking the opportunity to clean stormwater as it flows to the river. Also paramount to the design is the recasting of Trenton as a major historic destination.
The project is currently in the master plan phase, which began in January. Phase one of the park schematic design is slated to begin following the recommendations of the master plan that will be submitted in August. Key WRT personnel involved in the master planning include Margie Ruddick, ASLA, (Principal in Charge), Yogesh Saoji, AIA, AICP, LEED® AP (Project Director), Eric Tamulonis, ASLA, LEED® AP (Senior Landscape Architect), and Adam Krom, AICP (Senior Planner).
"The park system master plan fits into the larger context of what is happening in Trenton at the moment," said Mr. Saoji, referring to projects such as the NJDOT's Route 29 realignment as well as the daylighting and restoration of the Assunpink Creek. "The plan we create needs to encompass these other projects, to help move them forward."
"WRT has worked on a number of capital complex master plans, heritage parks, and park planning and design projects, but this one combines all of these projects into one unique opportunity," Mr. Saoji added.
The New Jersey Capital Park System would be the second urban park operated by the state after its completion. The other is Liberty State Park, for which WRT also provided the master plan and landscape design services.