North Tonawanda, New York
This park, situated at the western gateway to the Erie Canal System, is located between the twin cities of North Tonawanda and Tonawanda in Western New York. Since 1998, the park has celebrated local canal history while providing boaters with access to local services, entertainment, and shopping, which has helped to generate additional economic development in the neighboring area. EDR’s design concept included transient docking, preservation of historic character, complete redesign of a 600-foot section of canal wall, a pedestrian promenade along the canal, and a pavilion for special civic events. Custom designed details took cues from historic and cultural character; for example, historic brick pavers were salvaged from beneath asphalt and reset in the new parking plaza. The site hosts festivals and has become a thriving gathering place for entertainment, recreation and commerce. It continues to provide aesthetic, cultural, and environmental benefits to the community, and has become a well-loved destination for locals and visitors alike.
The Upstate New York American Society of Landscape Architects recognized this project with an Honor Award for Public Landscape Design.