Palisades Park plan, Town of West New York, NJ

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

SB
483
.W47
P35
1988

PALISAOES PARK RLAN

TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK

SOUL ARD EA
st

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON, SC 29405

PALISADES PARK PLAN
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK, NJ

HON. ANTHONY M. DEFINO, MAYOR

THROUGH A GRANT FROM
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
DIVISION OF COASTAL RESOURCES
BUREAU OF PLANNING AND PROJECT REVIEW

PROPERTY OF CSC LIBRARY

COMMUNITY HOUSING & PLANNING ASSOCIATES, INC.
David Spatz, AICP, P.P., NJ License No. 3455

This report was prepared under contract with the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
Division of Coastal Resources, Bureau of Planning
and Project Review with the financial assistance
of the United States Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
under the provisions of the federal Coastal Zone
Management Act, P.L. 92-583, as amended.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Anthony M. DeFino, Mayor

Mario R. Hernandez

James F. Langan

Lawrence Riccardi

Luis Suarez

CONTENTS PACE

Introduction 1
Location of Study Area 1
Ownership, 2

Existing Use Element 3
Donnelly Park 4
Veteran's Park 4
Palisades Site 5
Environmentally Sensitive Locations 5
Socially Valuable Locations 7
Physically Constraining Locations 8

Proposed Use Element 9
Veteran's Park 9
Donnelly Park 10
Palisades Site 12

Implementation Element 14
Construction/Rehabilitation Costs 14
Management/Maintenance Issues 14
Funding Sources 19

State Regulation Consistency Element 21

EXHIBITS Following Page

Location of Study Area 2

Photographs 8

Design Elements 13

Site Location 34

Land Use 34

Palisades Park Plan 34

INTRODUCTION

The West New York Palisades Park Plan will develop a strategy to allow

the Town of West New York to create a unified and improved park system

along the top of the Palisades cliffs and to provide access to the Hudson

River.waterfront. The Plan consists of four major elements: Existing

Use; Proposed Use; Implementation; and State Regulation-Consistency,

which outlines the consistency of the Plan with the Rules on Coastal

Resources and Development (N.J.A.C. 7:7E-1.1).

The Town of West New York has a well developed park system, however, as

with many densely populated urban areas, there is a shortage of recreation

facilities. The existing parks along the Palisades provide passive and

active recreation facilities and a magnificent and unparalleled view of

the Hudson River and New York City skyline. A large portion of this a rea

is currently undeveloped and as these parks serve as neighborhood, com-

muhity and regional facilities, their improvement is greatly needed.

Location of Study Area

West New York's waterfront extends across the entire width of the Town, a

distance of approximately 4,900 feet along the Hudson River, from the

Township of Weehawken (at 51st Street) at its southern boundary to the

Town of Guttenberg (at 68th Street) at the north. As delineated on the

Town's Zoning Map as the Controlled Waterfront Development District, the

waterfront extends from Boulevard East on the west to the pierhead line

in the Hudson River on the east.

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As shown on the accompanying map entitled, SITE LOCATION, the Study Area

is located along Boulevard East from 51st Street on the south to 60th

Street on the north. The area consists of two Tax parcels, known as

Lots I and 2A in Block 168, with a combined area of 15.68 acres; these

parcels are described in greater detail in the followng section on

ownership.

Ownership

The Study Area is comprised of two parcels in separate ownership. Lot I

in Block 168, which has frontage on Boulevard East, is owned by the

Hudson County Park Commission and is developed with Donnelly and Veteran's

Parks. Lot 2A in Block 168, located to the east of Lot 1, with frontage

on Hillside Road, is owned by the Town of West New York and is partially

developed with the Town's Panorama Swim Club. Lot 1 has an area of 4.24

acres and the Town owned Lot 2A has an area of 11.44 acres.

As shown on the table contained on the SITE LOCATION map, these two parks

comprise 13% of the total 187.45 acres of waterfront land, with 85% of the

total, or 156 acres, owned by ARCORP Properties. The relationship of the

Study Area to the ARCORP site will be discussed in a following section of

this report.

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LOCATION OF STUDY AREA
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK., NJ.

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EXISTING USE ELEMENT

The following discussion on land use is divided into two sections; over-

all developmen t of the Study Area and surrounding properties and the spe-

cific development of the Study Area. The Study Area is developed with

three recreation fa cilities: Donnelly Park, Veteran's Park and the Pano-

,rama Swim Club; the major portion of the P,anorama site is in a natural

overgrown state. The remainder of the waterfront area (primarily owned

by ARCORP Properties), located to the east of the Study Area and east of

Hillside Road, is generally undeveloped, with the exception of a narrow

privatE road, a yacht- berth and accessory landscaping and parking faci-

lities.

The properties opposite the Study Area, on the western side of Boulevard

East are residentially developed. The properties frorn 51st Street to 56th

Street contain one, two and three family structures, with the -remaining

parcels, north to 60th Street, developed with rrulti-family buildings;
C,

these include the 300 unit Parkview Gardens public housing project.

The remaining portion of the waterfront area is located between Boulevard

East and Hillside Road, from 60th Street north to the Town of Guttenberg

boundary at 66th Street. The parcels at the southern and northern ends of

this area are developed with highrise apartments including a 60 unit build-

ing, the 421 unit Riviera Towers, the 196 unit Tower West and the 282 unit

Versaille apartments. The area between this development contains several

Town owned parks (Liberty/Skyline, Verrazano and Auf Der Heide) and the

West New York sewage treatment plant on Hillside Road. These parks con-'

tain a variety of recreation facilities including a softball f4 eld, tennis

courts, basketball courts, tot lots and pas@ive sitting/viewing areas.

As noted above, the Study Area is comprised of three existing parks.

These recreation facilities, also shown in the accompanying photographs,

are described in detail as follows:

Donnelly Park

This park, which is located on the eastern side of Boulevard East, from

approximately 54th Street to 60th Street, contains a mix of active and

passive recreation facilities. The northernmost area is primarily for

passive use with paths and benches. The middle portion of the park con-

tains the active play areas, which include two basketball courts, four

sets of swings, climbing apparatus, a slide, three "spring horses" and

a balance beam; in addition, there are three tables with inlaid chess/

checker boards. This area gets a wide use from various age groups. The

southernmost area contains an open-sided pavillion structure that is gen-

erally underutilized. There is a lower terrace area that appears to be

rarely used for recreation activities; this area has access to the base

of the pavillion, which is currently used for park storage but could be

used for expanded recreation purposes. More critical to this study, the

terrace area provides access to the Palisades, with overgrown steps that

appear to provide access to the base of the Cliffs.

Veteran's Park

This facility, which extends from 54th Street south to the Weehawken

boundary, is primarily for passive use. The AmVets Building, which is

used as a meeting room, is located at the northernmost portion of the

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park, with the remainder containing paths and benches.

Palisades Site

The major facility in the Study Area is this 11.4 acre site located

along and within the cliffs, with direct access to Hillside Road. The

northernmost portion of the site is developed with the Town"s Panorama

Swim Club which consists of a swimming pool, diving pool, deck area and

maintenance/concession building; in addition, there is off street park-

ing for four vehicles.

The remaining, larger portion of this site is undeveloped and consists

of the cliff, which is covered with a variety of vegetation; there do

not appear to be any specimen trees in this area, nor any exposed rock

face. The stairways noted in the discussion of Donnelly Park, appear to

extend down the cliffs in the southern portion of this site; in addition,

there are several ledge areas which could provide sitting or viewing

areas in an improved park facility. The base of the cliffs, which is on

the ARCORP Properties site appears to be wetlands, which will have to be

addressed in terms of access to the Hudson River.

Environmentally Sensitive Locations

Within the Study Area, the Palisades cliffs are considered as environ-

mentally sensitive; this includes steep slope areas, the historic/geologic

importance of the cliffs and wetland areas at the base of the cliffs.

In the cliff area, the slopes vary in grade with some areas in excess of

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30%; due to the sensitive nature of this resource, the difficulties in

engineering and State policies (N.J.A.C. 7:7E-3.32) limited active de-

velopment possibilities are available.

The Palisades are one of New Jersey's most valuable resources and deserve

the utmost care and protection. The Hudson River Waterfront Planning,

Study and Development Commission noted that "the crest of the Palisades

cliff affords the greatest view of the river and the New York skyline,

one of the most spectacular views in America."

The Palisades Sill,-the result of volcanic activity during the Triassic

period, was formed by the intrusion of magma (subsurface lava) parallel

to the bedding planes of the existing sedimentary rocks. Toward the out-

side margins of the intrusion, the diabase cooled relative quickly and

only small crystals were permitted to form, creating a fine-grained

fabric. The interior of the sill took much longer to cool and larger crys-

tals were allowed for form, creating a coarser-grained fabric. In either

case, the diabase has a dense, interlocking crystal fabric, which accounts

for the toughness of the rock.

Regional uplift tilted the entire Triassic sequence to the west-northwest

by several degrees. Over time, erosion of the softer shales and sandstone

exposed the edge of the Palisades diabase sill until it stood, as now, as

a cliff face in certain areas between Weehawken, New Jersey and Rockland

County, New York bordering the western side of the Hudson River. Columnar

jointing developed in these fountains during cooling and caused columnar

and step-like appearances in certain places. Rock fragments from erosion

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along these joints form distinctive talus slopes.

Legislation passed in 1900 by both New York and New Jersey laid the

groundwork for the bi-State Palisades Park Commission, which supervises

the Palisades Interstste Park system. The Palisades cliffs, from Fort

Lee, north to Sparkill in New York, have been designated as a National

Natural Landmark in recognition of their geological significance. How-

ever, south of Fort Lee, the cliffs have not received such Federal or

State designation and therefore, protection has been left to the muni-

cipalities in which the cliffs are located. West New York has been one of

the most farsighted communities by purchasing the 11.4 acre Palisades

site to provide public protection for the cliffs.

Socially Valuable Locations

The Recovery Action Program, prepared under the U.S. Department of the

Interior's Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program, noted that although

there were almost 42 acres of parks, playfields and playgrounds, the Town

of West New York has a deficiency of almost 100 acres of outdoor recrea-

tional space (as determined by the National Recreation and Park Associa-

tion standards). In a municipality considered one of the most densely

developed in the Country, the provision of recreational facilities becomes

one of the most critical aspects of public service.

The presence of existing parks along Boulevard East and the ability to

utilize the Palisades site affords West New York the opportunity to bene-

fit residents. The parks in the Study Area are used by all residents of

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the Town but serve as a prime source of outdoor recreation for those

living in the adjacent public housing project. In addition, the Town's

Recreation Department runs a "day camp" program at Donnelly Park during

July and August for children from 5-12 years of age. The swimming pool

is available for use by both residents and non-residents and is also

used for swimming meets and other similar activities.

Physically Constraining Locations

As noted in a previous section, the environmentally sensitive nature of

the Palisades provides physical constraints as well within the Study

Area, access for vehicles is not feasible or desirable and pedestrian

access is also limited. The development of existing parks, to some ex-

tent, limits the use of the site and mandates the integration of new fa-

cilities with the present conditions. There are several potential areas

for patbs through the cliffs and they will be discussed in the Propose:d

Use Element of this Plan.

-8-

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Pavillion lower terrace

6. Pavillion terrace

7. View of N.Y.C. skyline from Donnelly Park

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8. Veteren's Park

9. Panorama Swim Club

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10. Palisades, facing Swim Club site

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11 Palisades, facing south

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12. Palisades, facing Veteren's Park
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PROPOSED USE ELEMENT

As noted in the element on existing land use, the Study Area is comprised

of three park facilities, containing both developed and undeveloped areas;

different strategies must be prepared for each park. The following are

proposed improvements to Donnelly and Veteran's Parks and the Palisades site

that will accomplish the goals set forth in the introduction to the Plan.

Veteran's Park - 51st to 54th Streets on Boulevard East

This park is currently an underutilized, passive area consisting of a monu-

ment, benches and landscaping. The park requires rehabilitation and re

design to attract residents of West New York.

Goals:

1. encourage use of the park

2. improve access to and from park

3. improve views of New York City skyline

Proposed Improvements:

1. clear excessive vegetation growth at top of cliffs to expose views of

the Hudson River and the New York City skyline

2. repair sidewalks, benches and lighting to improve the appearance of the

park and make it more attractive to potential users. This "street

furniture" should be uniform in appearance to provide an identity and

link to other park facilities.

-9-

3. trim branches of existing trees. The mature, beautiful trees which

line the pathways in Veteran's Park are one of its more important

features, however they are overgrown and give a dark, forbidding ap-

pearance to the park. Pruning of branches will open up this area,

give more natural light and improve views.

4. repair memorial monument in center of park. This area should be

cleaned up to make it a focal point for users of the facility.

5. improve park identity. The modern sculpture located next to the Am-

Vets building should be refurbished and relocated to a more visible

area. Veteran's Park could become a "sculpture garden" with the ad-

dition of pieces from local artists and collectors.

6. Boulevard East sidewalks should be repaired and brick treatments used

to link Veteran's Park to Donnelly Park and, ultimately, further

north on Boulevard East to Liberty/Skyline and Verrazano Parks.

Donnelly Park - 54th to 60th Streets on Boulevard East

Donnelly Park is a mixed use area consisting of paths and benches, basket-

ball courts, a tot lot and a pavillion. The park requires a general rehabi-

litation to allow a more active participation by residents.

Goals:

1. encourage use of underutilized portions of the park

2. improve access to the swimming pool site

3. improve views of the New York City skyline

_10-

Proposed Improvements:

1. clear excessive vegetative growth at top of cliffs to expose views of

the 'Hudson River and the New York City skyline

2. repair sidewalks, benches and lighting to improve the appearance of

the park and make it more attractive to potential users. This "street

furniture" should be uniform in appearance to provide an identity and

link to other park facilities.

3. The major component of this rehabilitation program for Donnelly Park

is the enhancement and reuse of the pavillion. This facility consists

of a street level paved area covered by a recently repaired roof and

a lower level grass area surrounded by a stone wall; the base of the

pavillion contains underutilized storage areas. The upper level should

be repaved and benches repaired to take advantage of the unobstructed

views from this area. The lower terrace level should be landscaped

and reseeded and the stone wall should be repaired using similar ma-

terials. The storage area should be cleaned and repaired as necessary

to provide storage and concession areas.

The key to the reuse of this area is provision of new activities which

focus on the unique aspects of the facility. The terrace should be

used for concerts and other special events such as viewing fire works

or boating in the Hudson River. The base of the pavillion should be

used for storage of stage equipmenc, a small concession area and, if

space exists, a museum display area for exhibits on West New York, the

Hudson River or the Hudson County region.

4. Stone steps are located on either side of the terrace, however they

are overgrown with vegetation and cannot be located after several

feet. The area should be cleared to expose the remaining portion of

the staircase which should be repaired and expanded to provide access

to the Palisades site and the waterfront

5. Boulevard East sidewalks should be repaired and brick treatments used

to link Donnelly Park and Veteran's Park with the swimming pool on

Hillside Road and further north on Boulevard East to Liberty/Skyline

and Verrazano Parks.

Palisades Site - east of Donnelly and Veteran's Parks

The Town's Panorama Swim Club is located on the northern portion of the

site, however, most of the 11.4 acres are in their natural state and un-

developed.

Goals:

1. utilize the undeveloped portions of the site

2. improve access to other, existing parks on Boulevard East

3. provide access to waterfront recreation facilities

Proposed Improvements:

1. the undeveloped areas should be left in their natural state as much

as possible to preserve and enhance existing features. Footpaths and

resting points should be created to allow close, controlled contact

with the Palisades environment.

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BENCHES

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LIGHTING POLES

PAVING
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TRASH RECEPTACLES

IMPLEMENTATION ELEMENT

As described in the Proposed Use Element of the Palisades Park Plan, signi-

ficant rehabilitation and development efforts are required to implement

the Plan. This section discusses the various costs involved, management/

maintenance issues and funding sources available to attain the Plan's goals.

Construction/Rehabilitation Costs

The primary costs associated with the Plan involve constuction/rehabilita-

tion and maintenance. The three parks which comprise the Study Area are

currently owned by the Town, therefore there are no acquisition costs or

associated legal fees; any need for legal services which may arise during

the implementation of the Plan will be provided by the Town's Law Depart-

ment.

The Town's consulting engineers have made preliminary studies of the vari-

ous plan elements and estimated the following construction and/or rehabili-

tation costs:

Veteran's Park $ 650,000

Donnelly Park $1,400,000

Palisades Site $3,000,000

These costs are mo-re fully described on the accompanying cost estimates

prepared by the Town's consulting engineer.

Management/Maintenance Issues

A major problem facing West New York, and many other communities is vandal-

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WEST NEW YORK PARKS REHABILITATION
BOULEVARD EAST
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY

SECTION A - 51st to 56th STREETS.
EAST ALONG BOULEVARD EAST

PRELIMINARY UNIT COST BREAKDOWN

EXISTING AND NEW WALKS

New paving including demolition and carting
22,000 s.f. @ $10-00 s.f. $ 220,000.

REFURBISH STONE WALLS

Stonewall repairs 500 l.f. @ $20.00 l.f. $10,000.

Demolish and rebuild 4' retaining walls
2,130 s.f. @ $11.50 s.f. $24,500. $ 34,500.

FENCING

700 l.f. @ $10.00 l.f. $ 7,000.

MONUMENT REPAIR

base, monument, paint, lighting $ 50,000.

LANDSCAPING

Clearing and grubbing including
specialty clearing $10,000.

Trees 60 @ $300 $18,000.

Shrubs 350 @ $ 50. $17,500.

Seeding 53,000 s.f. @ $1.50 s-f- $80,000.
$ 125,500.

LIGHTING
33 high intensity floods @ $4,000 $132,000.

Sheet I of 5
MAYO, LYNCH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. December 30, 1987

SECTION A CONT'D.
Sheet 2

PARK FURNISHINGS

Game tables 6 @ $1,000. ea. $ 6,000.
Benches 75 @ $ 750. ea. 57,000.

Waste Receptables 20 @
$600 ea. 12,000.

Water Fountains 4@ $1,400 ea. 5,600.
$ 81,000.

PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION COST $ 650,000.

Sheet 2 of 5
MAYO, LYNCH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. December 30, 1987

WEST NEW YORK PARKS REHABILITATION
BOULEVARD EAST
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY

SECTION B - 56th to 60th STREETS
EAST ALONG BOULEVARD EAST
EXISTING AND NEW WALKS PRELIMINARY UNIT COST BREAKDOWN

New Paving including demolition and carting
46,000 s.f. @ $10.00 s.f. $ 460,000.

New stairs and platform $ 20,000.
$ 480,000.

REFURBISH STONE WALLS

2,500 l.f. @ $20.00 l.f. $ 50,000.
FENCING 3,000 l.f. @ $10.00 l.f. $ 30,.000.

PAVILLION RENOVATION

2,400 s.f. ea. floor @ $35.00 s.f.
2 floors total $ 168,000.

LANDSCAPING

Clearing and grubbing including
specialty clearing $ 8,000.

Trees 50 @ $300. ea. $ 15,000.

Shrubs 700 @ $50. ea. $ 35,000.

Seeding 85,000 s.f. @ $1.50 s.f. $ 128,000.
$ 186,000.

LIGHTING

70 site lighting fixtures @ $2,000. ea. $ 140,000.

RENOVATE PLAYGROUND

Equipment $ 10,000.

Resurface 24,000 s.f. @ $10.00 s.f. $ 240,000.

$ 250,000.

Sheet 3 of 5
Milk MAYO, LYNCH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. December 30, 1987

SECTION B CONT'D.

PARK FURNISHING

Benches 100 @ $750. ea $ 75,000.

Waste Receptacles 26 @ $600. $ 15,400.

Water Fountains 4 @ $1,400. ea. $ 5,600.
$ 96,000._

PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION COST $ 1,400,000.

Sheet 4 of 5
MAYO, LYNCH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. December 30, 1987

WEST NEW YORK PARKS REHABILITATION
BOULEVARD EAST
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY

SECTION C DOWN THE PALISADES FROM
51st STREET TO RIVER ROAD

PRELIMINARY UNIT COST BREAKDOWN

EXISTING AND NEW WALKS
FENCING Create new walls 15,000 s.f. @ $10.00 s.f. $150,000.
20,000 l.f. @ $10.00 $200,000.

LANDSCAPING

Clearing and grubbing including
specialty clearing 25 A @ $2,000 ea. $ 50,000.

Seeding 1,066,000 s.f. @ $1.50 s.f. $ 1,600,000.
$1,650,000.
LIGHTING 15 high intensity floods @ $4,000 $ 60,000
45 site lighting fixtures @ $2,000 ea. $ 90,000
NEW STONE WALLS @ 150,000.

8,700 s.f. @ $11.50 s.f. $100,000.

PARK FURNISHINGS

benches, receptacles, water fountains,
exercise equipment, decking, shelters, $ 750,000
pavillion, flag poles etc.

PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION COST $3,000,000

Sheet 5 of 5
MAYO, LYNCH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. DECEMBER 30, 1987

ism to parks and recreation facilities; much time, money and effort is

put into a rehabilitation program by the Town only to have to expend

greater sums to repair damaged equipment and landscaping. As part of

the Palisades Park Plan a public education program will be instituted to

attempt to alleviate this problem. The following is a description of

the staffing and equipment levels and budget process of the Town's Parks

Department and a proposed public education program.

The process for developing procedures and policies for parks and recrea-

tion is a coordinated effort of the Mayor's Office, the Commissioner of

Parks and Public Property and his staff, with input from the Superinten-

dent of Parks and the Department of Purchasing. The Community Development

Department has also been involved in the planning for parks and recrea-

tion through the implementation of recreation improvements funded by HUD's

Community Development Block Grant Program and the State of New Jersey's

Green Acres Program for parkland acquisition and improvement. In addit ion,

the Town of West New York has a contractual arrangement with a planning

consultant who provides services to the Town and the Community Development

Department.

Management and maintenance of the Town's parks is provided by the Division

of Parks of the Department of Parks and Public Property. The Division of

Parks consists of the Director of Parks and Public Property, 44 permanent

and 17 temporary employees, in addition to the Park Police staff consist-

ing of a Chief and 11 patrolmen. The Safe & Clean Neighborhoods Program,

funded on a 50%/50% split by the Community Development Department and the

State Department of Community Affairs, provides 4 "Clean Inspectors" and

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21 "Safe Patrolmen" whose jurisdiction includes the parks.

The recreation program for the Town is run by the Department of Public

Affairs and Recreation with a staff of 10 full or part-time employees and

up to 150 temporary seasonal workers. Town-sponsored Senior Citizen's

recreational activities are directed by the Supervisor-Coordinator of

Senior Citizens Activities with a staff of 3 full and part-time employees

and one temporary worker.

Vehicular equipment for the Division of Parks consists of two vans, used

for transporting electrical and carpentry equipment, two jeeps that are

shared by the Division of Buildings,one open-bed truck and one pick-up

truck. In addition, the Department also has several lawnmowers and other

field maintenance equipment. Expenditures for equipment maintenence and

replacement are included in the annual budget for the Department of Parks

and Public Property and equipment is replaced as needed.

Security for the parks is provided by the eleven member Park Police who

are stationed in the Recreation Center in Memorial Park. While the Park

Police have a relatively small area to patrol, it is impossible to be in

all places at all times. Destruction of park equipment takes place during

the day and also during off-hours when the parks are not in use.

There are several ways the Town can reduce the deterioration of parks in

West New York. Ideally, several additional park police would be hired

and, provided with scooters or other vehicles, would patrol the parks dur-

ing the night when most of the vandalism takes place. The Town could use

unemployed youths to supplement park employees in painting, seeding, lawn-

-16-

mowing and other maintenance work. This would allow more repair work

to be accomplished and free Town employees to do larger-scale maintenance

work such as repairs to equipment and fences. In addition, this would

provide an expanded future work force that could be used when the large,

Waterfront area is developed and additional parkland will be provided by

the developer. Funds to hire these unemployed youth could be provided

through the Community Development Block Grant Program,,

The only way to effectively prevent vandalism is the education of park

users. This educational process should begin in the homes and schools

and be promoted Town-wide, through the Safe & Clean Neighborhoods Program,

in the press, radio and other media.

Elements of a public education program to be considered should include:

1. The designation of a specific week to "kick off" the program; this

should be the beginning of the spring season when the parks begin to

get their heaviest use. The "kick-off" week should be preceded by

several weeks of intense publicity in the newspapers, radio and

schools.

2. One activity of this "Protect the Parks" week could be a poster con-

test cosponsored by the Board of Education and the Division of Parks.

This contest would have an anti-vandalism theme and the contest win-

ners, chosen, perhaps by members of the Culteral Arts Council, would

be used in the publicity campaign.

-17-

3. In conjunction with the "Safe & Clean Neighborhoods Program", special

11clean-up" days should be held throughout the summer and fall. These

11clean up" days would involve the children who use the parks and edu-

cate them as to the importance of keeping the parks clean and damage-

free. The children who clean up their park the best that day should

be given some sort of prize, such as free ice cream or soda.

4. The Park Police consists of the Chief and eleven patrolmen. During

the week there is single coverage in the parks from 8:AM to 4:PM and

full coverage from 4:PM to 12:AM; on weekends, only one part-time

patrolman is on duty. The regular Town Police cover the parks from

12:AM to 8:AM. As scheduled there is no specific police coverage of

the parks during the night and very light coverage on weekends. Ade-

quate police coverage of the parks is one way to reduce vandalism and

the high cost of repair, replacement and rehabilitation of park faci-

lities. In this regard, the Park Police should be rescheduled so that

there is better coverage on weekends when the parks are heavily used

and the regular Town police should make regular "sweeps" through the

parks during late night hours. The Town should hire 3 additional Park

Police and supply them with vehicles so that they can cover several

parks over a scheduled period of time.

5. A special "hot line" number should be set up so that residents can

call the Park Police and report acts of vandalism.

6. The "Protect the Parks" education campaign should become an annual

event held the same time each year. This then becomes an anticipated

event which reinforces the aims of the program.

-18-

The budget for the Department of Parks and Public Property is prepared

each October by the Commissioner of Parks and Public Property and his

staff with input from the Parks Superintendent and the Department of Pur-

chasing. The Department uses a zero-based method of budgeting, which is

newly developed each year and is not based on the past year's experience.

Each component of the budget is evaluated on its own merits and-not on

the previous year's performance.

The Department of Parks and Public Property's budget for the last three

years is as follows:

Salaries Other
Year & Wages Expenses Total

1985 $745,805 $486 400 $1,232,205

1986 $745,805 $581,100 $1,326,905

1987 $879,500 $601,300 $1,480,800

Funding Sources

Although the Town owns the property located in the Study Area, and does

not have to undertake any expensive acquisition procedures, the costs in-

volved in the rehabilitation program are substantial. In order to imple-

ment the Plan, which could not be accomplished by a single funding source,

the following sources will be utilized:

1. Community Development Block Grant - The Town participates through the

Urban County process and will allocate funds towards development activ-

ities. In the past, the Town has used funds for the Swimming Pool site,

_19-

Memorial Park, Washington Park and others.

2. Green Trust Program - The Town will apply to the Green Trust Program

for development funds. West New York has an excellent "track record"

with funds for the swimming pool and St. Mary's Park. In addition, the

Town has an approved application for funds to acquire land in the

Waterfront.

3. Zoning and Developers - The Town's exemplary Zoning Ordinance requires

the provision of waterfront parkland and the development of a Hudson

River Walkway with access to the river for residents of the Town. In

addition, future "developer's agreements" will include provisions for

participation in park development.

4. Other Sources - As they become available, other funding sources will

be sought and applications made for funding.

-20-

STATE REGULATION CONSISTENCY ELEMENT

The State's Rules on Coastal Resources and Development (N.J.A.C.7:7E -

1.1 et. seq.) provide substantive coastal policies which guide public

decisions about significant proposed development and management of re-

sources for New Jersey's Coastal Zone. The following section discusses

the various applicable rules and the Palisades Park Plan's compliance

with those regulations.

Special Areas

Special Areas are those 45 types of coastal areas which were found to

merit f6cused attention and special management policies. The following

such areas are found within the Study Area:

1. Steep Slopes (7:7E - 3.32). Steep slopes are land areas with slopes

greater than 15 percent, which are not adjacent to the shoreline and

therefore not coastal bluffs (N.J.A.C. 7:7E - 3.30). Steep slopes

include natural swales and ravines, as well as man-made areas, such

as those created through mining for sand, gravel or fill, or road

grading. Slopes of less than 15% are not considered to be steep

slopes. The Rules indicated that development on steep slopes is dis-

couraged unless their use is essential to a reasonable use of the

site. If some development of steep slopes meets that standard, then

the development must:

a. Produce minimum feasible site disturbance,

b. Provide for maximum feasible vegetation of the steep slope, es-

-21-

pecially with native woody vegetation,

c. Be consistent with the natural contour of the site to the maximum

extent feasible,

d. Include limited stabilization measures if necessary, such as ter-

racing and paving, that are consistent with the natural or pre-

development character of the entire site, to the maximum extent

practicable, and

e. Meet the Resource Policies for Runoff (N.J.A.C. 7:7E - 8.9) and

applicable standards adopted by local Soil Conservation Districts

of municipalities pursuant to the Soil and Sediment Control Act

(N.J.S.A. 4:24 - 39 et. seq.).

The Plan is consistent with this policy as no "development" will take

place. In order to minimize disturbance, existing stairs and/or t.rails

will be used to provide access, natural features will be used for sit-

ting/viewing areas and, with the exception of some clearing to utilize

paths and expand view possibilities, there will be a minimal disturb-

ance of vegetation.

2. Public Open Space (7:7E - 3.38). Public Open Space constitutes land

areas owned and maintained by state, federal, county and municipal

agencies or non-profit private groups (such as conservation organiza-

tions and homeowner's associations) and dedicated to conservation of

natural resources, public recreation, or wildlife protection -or man-

agement. Public Open Space also includes State forests, State Parks

-22-

and State Fish and Wildlife Management Areas and designated Natural

Areas (N.J.S.A.13:IB - 15.12a et. seq.) within DEP-owned and managed

lands. The State's policy is that:

a. New or expanded public or private open space development is

encouraged at locations compatible or supportive of adjacent

and surrounding land uses.

b. Development that adversely affects existing public open space

is discouraged.

C. Development within existing public open space, such as camp-

grounds and roads, is conditionally acceptable, provided that

the development complies with the Coastal Resource and Develop-

ment Policies and is consistent with the character and purpose

of the public open space, as described by the park master plan

when such a plan exists.

d. Provision of barrier free access to public open space is en-

couraged.

The Plan is consistent with this policy by the provision of an ex-

panded public open space facility, the preservation of a unique area

and is responsive to the needs of residents of West New York, the

Region and the State. A prime component of the Plan will be the

provision of open space that is both visually and physically contig-

uous and affords users continued movement through such public open

space.

-23-

3. Special Hazard Areas. (7:7E - 3.39). Special Hazard Areas include

areas with a known actual or potential hazard to public health, safety

and welfare, or to public or private property, such as the navigable

air space around airports and seaplane landing areas, potential evac-

uation zones around major industrial and energy facilities and areas

where hazardous materials are used or disposed, including adjacent

areas. Coastal development, especially residential and labor-inten-

sive economic development, within special hazard areas is discouraged.

All development within special hazard areas must include appropriate

mitigating measures to protect the public hedlth and safety.

There are no known hazard areas within the Study Area. The NJ DEP

Waterfront Development Permit Application & Environmental Impact

Statement for the Port Imperial project on the adjacent ARCORP Proper-

ties site indicated that the area was not used for the production-or

handling of chemicals and the landfill materials were obtained from

railroad operations and miscellaneous sources such as non-hazardous

dredge spoils approved by NJ DEP and the Army Corp of Engineers.

4. Special Urban Areas (7:7E - 3.41). Special Urban Areas are those

municipalities defined in urban aid legislation (N.J.S.A. 52:27D

178) as qualified to receive State aid to enable them to maintain

and upgrade municipal services and offset local property taxes; West

New York has been so designated. The State's policies are as follows:

a. Development that will help to restore the economic and social via-

biIlity of special urban areas is encouraged. Development that

-24-

would adversely affect the economic well being of these areas is

discouraged, when an alternative more beneficial to the Special

Urban Area is feasible. Development that would be of economic

and social benefit and that serves the needs of local residents

and neighborhoods is encouraged.

b. Housing, hotels, motels and mixed use development which is con-

sistent with the Public Access Resource Policy (7:7E - 8.11),

including those provisions relating to fishing access as appro-

priate, are acceptable only over Large Rivers where water depen-

dent uses are demonstrated to be infeasible. These uses are

conditionally acceptable on structurally sound existing pilings,

or where at least one of the following criteria is met:

(1) Where piers have been removed as part of the Harbor Clean Up

Program, the equivalent pier area may be replaced in the same

or another location.

(2) Structurally sound existing pilings may be reconfigured pro-

vided that the total area of water coverage is not increased

and that fisheries resources are not adversely impacted.

(3) Expansion of the existing total area water coverage is dis-

couraged, except where it can be shown that extensions are

functionally necessary for water dependent uses. For example

additional piers and pilings would be conditionally accept-

able for a marina which is a water dependent use.

-25-

C. Housing, hotels, motels and mixed use development are acceptable

in Filled Water's Edge Areas, provided that development is con-

sistent with the Filled Water's Edge Policy (N.J.A.C. 7:7E - 3.16)

and public access is provided for, as required by 7:7E - 8.11.

The Plan is consistent with this policy by the enhancement of a public

recreational facility that serves the needs of local residents and

neighborhoods and provides public access to the waterfront. Funds to

implement the Plan will come from the Federal CDBG program, State

Green Acres program and private sources.

5. Geodetic Control Reference Marks (7:7E - 3.45). Geodetic Control

Reference Marks are traverse stations and benchmarks established or

used by the New Jersey Geodetic Control Survey pursuant to P.L. 1934,

C116. They include the following types:

a. Monument-(Mon), Disk-(Dk): A standard United States Coast and

Geodetic Survey or New Jersey Geodetic Control Survey disk set in

a concrete post, pavement, curb, ledge rock, etc., stamped with a

reference number and used for both horizontal and vertical control.

b. Point-(Pt.): A State Highway, Tidelands (Riparian), City, Etc.

survey marker represented by a chiseled cross, punch hole, brass

plug, etc. used for horizontal and vertical control. These stations

are not marked, but if there shluld be an enclosing box, the rim

is stamped with a number.

-26-

C. Rivet-(Rv.): A standard metal rivet set by the New Jersey Geo-

detic Control Survey, used for vertical control.

d. Mark-(Mk.): Same as Point, but used only for vertical control.

In the description of such marks there should appear a mark num-

ber followed by an equality sign and then the original name or

elevation of the bench mark and in parentheses the name of the

organization which established the mark.

The State's policy is that the disturbance of a Geodetic Control Ref-

erence Mark is discouraged. When a Geodetic Control Reference Mark

must- be moved, raised or lowered to accommodate construction, the New

Jersey Geodetic Control Survey shall be contacted at least sixty days

prior to disturbance, and arrangements shall be made to protect the

position. If the position can not be protected, it may be altered in

position after approval by the New Jersey Geodetic Control Survey and

under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer or land sur-

veyor using standard methods. Copies of field notes and instruments,

tape and rod specifications including calibration data, shall be sub-

mitted to the New Jersey Geodetic Control Survey.

Any Geodetic Control Reference Mark uncovered during site work will

be protected to the maximum extent possible. It is not anticipated

that any proposed work would cause a disturbance to any such mark.

6. Basic Location Policy (7:7E - 6.2). A location may be acceptable for

development under the specific location policies, but the DEP may

-27-

reject or conditionally approve the proposed development of the loca-

tion as reasonably necessary to:

a. Promote the public health, safety and welfare,

b. Protect public and private property, wildlife and marine

fisheries, and

c. Preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment.

The Plan is consistent with this policy and promotes the public welfare,

protects public and private property and preserves, protects and en-

hances the natural environment by the expansion of a regionally valu-

able recreational site.

7. Recreational Use Policy (7:7E - 7. 3). Resort-recreation uses include

the wide range of small and large developments attracted to and ofteil

dependent upon locations along the coast. Thses uses include hotels,

motels, marinas, boating facilities, campgrounds, amusement piers,

parks and recreational structures such as bath houses, natural areas,

open space for active and passive recreation and linear paths for bi-

cycling and jogging. (See also 7:7E - 7.10 hotels and motels; and

7:7E - 5.5(d). campgrounds).

a. Each waterfront municipality should contain at least one water-

front park on each body of water within the municipality, Munici-

palities that do not currently provide, or have active plans to

provide, public access to the water will not be eligible for Green

Acres or Shore Protection Bond Funding.

-28-

b. Resort/recreation uses and commercial fisheries uses shall have

priority over all other uses in Monmouth, Ocean,-. Atlantic and

Cape May counties with highest priority reserved for those uses

that serve a greater rather than a lesser number of people and

those uses that provide facilities for people of all ages and

for people with physical handicaps.

C. Appropriate recreation areas shall be incorporated in the design

of all residential, industrial and commercial developTent to the

maximum extent practicable, as necessary to ensure that needed

on-site recreation opportunities will not be precluded by a lack

of suitable open space. The "maximum extent practicable" will

be determined based on guidelines of the Green Acres Program (See

N.J.S.A. 13:8A - 1 et. seq.) which consider the recreation resource

supply and demand, the natural characteristics of the site and the

ability to identify a public.agency or other organization willing

to manage, maintain and develop the open space as a recreational

resource. What is necessary will be determined by consideretion

of recreation resource supply and demand and municipal and county

open space and recreation master plans.

The Plan proposes natural areas, open space for passive recreation

and linear paths that will tie in to the proposed Hudson River walkway/

bikeway. The Town of West New York has an approved Green Acres appli-

cation to acquire a 6 acre site on the waterfront which will be devel-

oped as part of the overall ARCORP Properties project. A component

of the Palisades Park Plan is the linkage of the parks on top of the

-29-

Palisades and the proposed waterfront recreation areas.

8. Transportation Use Policy (7:7E - 7.5). Policies are noted as:

a. New and improved needed public transportation facilities, includ-

ing bus, rail, air, boat travel, people mover systems and related

parking facilities, are encouraged.

b. Existing rail right-of-ways may not be converted to other uses,

unless the Department determines that the route is not critical

for public transportation or public access reasons.

C. The construction of internal bicycle paths, foot paths and side-

walks in residential, commercial and industrial developments is

required to the maximum extent practicable

d. Linear bicycle and foot paths are encouraged along the edges of

all water bodies and from the water body to the nearest public

road, provided they would not disturb Special Areas or subject the

user to danger.

e. Existing bicycle and foot paths shall be continued around devel-

opment when it is not practical to pass through development.

The Palisades Park Plan is consistent with these policies as follows:

a. Public transportation is provided by existing bus lines on Boule-

vard East that stop in several locations in the Study Area. The

Study Area is also accessible to pedestrians from a large por-

tion of the Town.

-30-

b. Links will be provided to any future bus/light rail transitway

on the waterfront.

C. Internal paths will be located within and through the Study Area

to link the various recreation facilities.

d. Links will be provided to the local segment of the proposed

Hudson River walkway/bikeway.to be built by ARCORP Properties in

West New York,

9. Vegetation (7:7E - 8.8). The State policy mandates that coastal de-

velopment shall preserve, to the maximum extent practicable, existing

vegetation with a development site. Coastal development shall plant

new Vegetation, particularly appropriate native coastal species, to

the maximum extent practicable.

With the exception of some clearing to locate and establish paths And

sitting areas and to enhance views, no disturbance of natural vegeta-

tion is proposed. Any specimen trees found in the Study Area (includ-

ing those planted in Donnelly and Veteran's Park) will be protected

to the maximum extent possible.

10. Public Access to the Waterfront (7:7E - 8.11). The State's policy is

defined as follows:

a. Coastal development adjacent to all coastal waters, including both

natural and developed waterfront areas, shall provide perpendicu-

lar and linear access to the waterfront to the maximum extent prac-

ticable, including both visual and physical access. Development

-31-

that limits public access and the diversity of waterfront ex-

periences is discouraged.

b. All development adjacent to water shall, to the maximum extent

practicable, provide within its site boundary, a linear water-

front strip accessible to the public. If there is a linear

waterfront accessway on either side of the site and it is not

feasible to continue it within the boundaries of the site, a

pathway around the site connecting to the adjacent parts, or po-

tential parts of the waterfront path system is adjacent parcels

shall be provided.

c. Municipalities that do not currently provide or have active plans

to provide, access to the water will not be eligible for Green

Acres or Shore Protection Bond funding.

d. Public access must be clearly marked, provided parking where a p-

propriate be designed to encourage the public to take advantage

of the waterfront setting and must be barrier free where practi-

cable.

e. A fee for access to, including parking where appropriate or use

of publicly owned waterfront facilities must be no greater than

is required to operate and maintain the facility and shall not

discriminate between residents and non-residents except that

municipalities may set a fee schedule that charges up to twice as

much to non-residents for use of marinas and boat launching fa-

cilities for which local funds provided 50 percent or more of the

costs.

-32-

f. All establishments including marinas and beach clubs which con-

trol access to tidal waters shall comply with the Law Against

Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5 - I et. seq.

g. Public access including parking where appropriate shall be pro-

vided to publicly funded shore protection structures and to

waterfronts created by public projects unless such access would

create a safety hazard to thI_- user. Physical barriers or local

regulations which unreasonably interfere with access to, along

or across a structure are prohibited.

h. Development along the Hudson River must conform with the Hudson

River Walkway and Design Guidelines, a report prepared by

Wallace, Roberts and Todd for NJ DEP, 1983 and which may be ob-

tained from the Department's Division of Coastal Resources.

i. Development adjacent to coastal waters shall provide fishing access

within the provision of public access wherever feasible and war-

ranted.

j. Development adjacent to coastal waters shall provide barrier free

access within the provision of public access wherever feasible and

warranted by the characteristics of the access area.

The Plan is consistent as follows:

1. Paths will be located to provide perpendicular access to the water-

fromt and linear access between facilities.

-33-

2. The Plan will include linkages to the proposed Hudson River walk-

way/bikeway and between the various existing Town parks north of

60th Street along Boulevard East.

3. The Panorama Swim Club facility provides barrier free access.

Wherever feasible, this will be expanded into the remainder of

the Palisades site.

Scenic Resources and Design (7:7E 8.12). New coastal development

is encouraged to be visually compatible with its surroundings in terms

of building and site design and to enhance scenic resources. New

coastal development that is not visually compatible with existing

scenic reaources in terms of large scale elements of building and site

design is discouraged.

The proposed rehabilitation and expanded use of the Pavillion will be

compatible with its current design and will include elements such'as

trees,.shrubs, existing stone walls and paths. Any new landscaping

will be compatible with existing plantings or naturally occurring

trees and shrubs.

-34@-

DATE DUE

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