Climate - Adaptive Waterfront Park, Hudson, NY
Henry Hudson Riverfront Park is an existing 7 acre park situated along the Hudson River in the City of Hudson, NY. Assemblage, as a member of the HVC, led the team in the investigation and redesign of an existing park that is heavily impacted by flooding that will be exacerbated by sea level rise in the near future. of with enriched and active recreational shoreline. The resulting framework plan will adapt to sea level rise, regenerate the shoreline’s intertidal ecology, and maintain waterfront recreational access that is critical to the Hudson community.
Adaptation to climate challenges underpins the design process. With a projected 54” rise in sea level projected to occur by the year 2080, the design team proposed a plan that is responsive to advancing water. A primary is expanding the park to higher ground by transforming underutilized gravel lots into green recreational spaces before the water rises above the existing shoreline. Additionally, planning for successful wetland migration into the park and trading out paved shoreline walkways for raised boardwalks are key strategies.
A rigorous community engagement process produced four main goals to inform the design outcomes: ‘‘Expand the Park’, ‘Prioritize Pedestrians’, ‘Enhance Nature’, and ‘Design For Inclusion’. With these goals in place, the plan proposed new accessible pathways, a fishing pier and knoll, a terraced amphitheater, new water access points, and biodiverse plant typologies. The plan envisions a solution for present and future generations to enjoy the waterfront.
Funders & Partners: New York Department of Environmental Conservation / Hudson River Estuary Program/NEIWPCC, and the City of Hudson
Urban Planner: youarethecity
Ecological Engineer: eDesign Dynamics.
‘Expand the Park’ is one of the climate-adaptive design goals for the new park. Expanding to higher ground now will create more land-based recreation space, and aquatic recreation opportunities will also expand as the river advances.
