New Park Amenities at Riverside County Park South

Aiming to provide additional recreational services to Bergen County and specifically the residents of North Arlington, the Bergen Department of Parks tasked LAN with designing amenity upgrades at Riverside County Park South in North Arlington, NJ. The design includes a new comfort station, amphitheater, and maintenance garage in conjunction with new walking paths, access to the river, varied recreational spaces, and a new loop road/parking throughout the park. This project encompasses a majority of the 85 acres of the park along the Passaic River and spans the municipalities of Lyndhurst and North Arlington.

As visitors enter the park, they are greeted by the welcome signage on the comfort station, creating a new destination and meeting point. Connected by a curvilinear stone spine, a stage is located on the riverside with a new amphitheater nestled into the hill, while the restrooms remain accessible to visitors along the path. Providing shade while aiding in the overall acoustics, an artistic roof structure further connects the programmatic elements and the structure to the landscape. The design also focused on enhanced security within the restrooms with threat detection systems, vandal resistant finishes, and accessibility and inclusivity for all users with the “family” restroom located between the two gendered restrooms. The comfort station also features clerestory lighting for ample natural light and an accessible chase to provide maintenance without shutting down the building.

LAN Associates was the lead architectural and civil designer while working in conjunction with MKW+Associates for the project’s landscape design. The enhanced features throughout the park focus on additional recreational points for all ages, expansion of walkways and trails, and a richer connection with the vital Passaic River. The upgrades and improvements provide the community with a multitude of places to come together throughout all seasons and all events.