Project to ‘transform’ Paterson’s Great Falls breaks ground

PATERSON – Inspired by seeing the hit play "Hamilton,” the Kontner family from Maryland decided to take a trip to Paterson’s Great Falls on Monday.

What the family encountered during its visit was a group of several dozen public officials gathered in the park’s Overlook section for a ceremonial ground-breaking of a $3.2 million improvement project.

Ann Kontner was impressed. “Was the work planned before the play?” she asked.

In truth, the renovations had been in the planning process long before most people ever heard of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created the hip-hop musical that won Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer awards. But the publicity generated by the play’s success comes at a time when the national park is undergoing unprecedented changes and growth.

Two years ago, officials completed a $1.8 million project in the Mary Ellen Kramer portion of the park, just above the Great Falls, which provided visitors with closer access to the cascading waters. Also, last month, $1.5 million in renovations began on historic Hinchliffe Stadium, which is within the boundary of the park. On top of those projects, officials are planning a third major development, the creation of a Great Lawn gathering area near the lower part of the Passaic River.

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“These funds will be used to transform the Great Falls,” proclaimed Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., during Monday’s ceremony, “not just to something new, but to something people can visit. It will be more of a destination when we are done.”

The Overlook project includes the creation of an amphitheater on a hillside facing the waterfall, an improved parking lot, picnic areas, and new trails. Officials shut down the Overlook parking lot Friday, Sept. 15 and they project the work will be done next summer.

Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres said the short-term disruptions will bring long-term gains for Paterson. “This administration has sought to leave a better city for our children,” the mayor said.

The park superintendent, Darren Boch, emphasized that the rest of the park, including the Mary Ellen Kramer area, will remain open during the Overlook work and that rangers will continue to provide visitors with tours.

Among those attending Monday’s event was Passaic County historian Edward Smyk. He said he had been at Overlook on April 18, 1964 when hundreds of people gathered for the opening of the area as a city park. That event featured members of the United States Coast Guard band playing while seated in makeshift bleachers in the overlook area and Smyk on Monday brought with him the 53-year-old photos from the 1960s ceremony.

When asked if the Overlook area has changed much over five decades, Smyk took a quick glance around and said, “Not that much.”

Smyk’s answer may be somewhat different a year from now.