Projects: Parks & Open Spaces
DAHNERT’S LAKE COUNTY PARK
GARFIELD, NJ
Once the pride of the city, Dahnert’s Lake County Park in Garfield, NJ had fallen into disrepair during the past decade. The lake was unusable for years because of contamination and the park finally closed due to neglect.
In 2006, Let It Grow, Inc was awarded the public contract for the restoration of Dahnert’s Lake Park funded by Bergen County and the Town of Garfield.
The scope of work was extensive, including dredging 7 feet of silt and sediment from the lake itself. An 18-inch diversion pipe was installed to send overflow to the Passaic River. A concrete dam was built, and 5 acres of pond liner put in. We built the retaining walls and stone jetties and put in concrete footings to support an island that we restored in the center of the lake. A unique 80’ wood and steel bridge was installed by crane to connect the park to the island.
Let It Grow excavated the site, and built a roller hockey rink. The park also now includes new asphalt and concrete pathways as well as decorative pavers. We installed ornamental and wooden fencing, and assembled two gazebos (one at the northern end of the park and a second one in the on the island). A new entrance location with signage was put in, and we moved the memorial canon from one side of the park to the other. Let It Grow installed benches and other site furnishings. We graded, installed topsoil and plant material, hydro seeded the entire park and installed an irrigation system.
After a $2.5 million remediation, the six-acre park was completed and re-opened with a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony in April 2007.
Once the pride of the city, Dahnert’s Lake County Park in Garfield, NJ had fallen into disrepair during the past decade. The lake was unusable for years because of contamination and the park finally closed due to neglect.
