Riverside Park
New York, NY
The original Riverside Park and Riverside Drive were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and built under the direction of Calvert Vaux in the 1870s and 1880s. The park was vastly expanded in the 1930s by architect Clinton Lloyd and landscape architects Gilmore Clarke and Michael Rapuano. Today, Riverside Park constitutes a long, linear park organized in three levels where each level was envisioned to contain particular recreational activities associated with it that repeat along the length of the Park. The park is unique for its integration of park and parkway, for its cohesive organization along its length and breadth, and for its landscape features including its retaining rubble masonry walls and promenade.
In response to major flooding in the park during rain events, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation contracted Stantec to perform a Riverside Park Drainage System Study to evaluate and improve existing drainage systems within the 108th to 116th Street segment of the park. As a Preservation Consultant to Stantec, LSA performed archival research; identified character-defining and historic features; reviewed existing conditions documentation; evaluated the scope of restorative work for Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) related items; performed design review; assisted the team in meeting LPC requirements; and participated in successful meetings with Stantec and LPC staff. LPC reviewed the project and issued a positive Advisory Report.
Designations: New York City Scenic Landmark, National Register of Historic Places, New York State Register of Historic Places
