News Release

Paterson Great Falls Holds Overlook Park Opening in 2018

Overlook Park Construction Underway

©NPS VIP Terry McKenna

News Release Date: October 2, 2018

Contact: Kathleen Long, 973-321-1556

CONGRESSMAN BILL PASCRELL, PATERSON MAYOR ANDRE SAYEGH
TO OPEN NEW GREAT FALLS AMPHITHEATER, REFURBISHED OVERLOOK PARK
 
Will be joined by Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, Secretary of State Tahesha Way, NPS Superintendent Darren Boch, officials from Passaic County and Department of Environmental Protection
 
PATERSON – On Friday, October 5 at 11am, Congressman Bill Pascrell and Mayor Andre Sayegh will lead the celebration marking the completion of phase two of upgrades to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Attendees of the event will sit in the newly completed amphitheater on an embankment facing the Falls for a program which includes a choral and string ensemble performance by Paterson students from the Paterson Music Project. In addition to the amphitheater, other park improvements include a new stairway connecting the Overlook section with Mary Ellen Kramer Park, an updated entry plaza, and an upgraded parking area.
 
“This event is a true highlight of my first 100 days in office,” noted Mayor Sayegh. “As a city councilman and during my campaign for Mayor, I shared my belief that while this historic waterfall led to the birth of the first industrial city in the United States, it will also help lead to the economic development re-birth of Paterson.”
 
“During the first few months of my Administration, we have met with many people – residents and investors alike – who are excited about the continued improvements here and how they positively impact both the perception of Paterson and the city’s ability to capitalize financially on this resource,” Mayor Sayegh continued. “Thank you to the team that managed this project –Darren Boch at the National Park Service and Gianfranco Archimede in Paterson’s Office of Historic Preservation. We look forward to announcing phase three of this project next month.”
“When I first introduced legislation to designate the Great Falls as a National Park in 2006, this is what I envisioned: a modernized and celebrated national park for northern New Jersey,” said Rep. Pascrell, a former Paterson Mayor. “I am very much looking forward to celebrating the remarkable progress of Paterson’s Great Falls National Historic Park on Friday.”


“The completion of Overlook Park is the greatest example yet of what a partnership park looks like; when all levels of government pool their resources and join forces around a unified vision. Since the establishment of this national park nearly seven years ago, working together we have moved the ball faster and farther than many of us anticipated," said Darren Boch, park superintendent. "More than 300,000 visitors came to the Great Falls last year. Many came to be inspired by the natural beauty of the falls, and for the first time many discovered why Paterson is a city of great historical and national significance. Overlook is the place where most of those visitors begin and end their visit to Paterson and so it is fitting that we lay out the welcome mat.”
 
“We are excited for Paterson Music Project students to be part of this special event,” said Elizabeth Moulthrop, PMP Program Director. “Music opens up new doors and possibilities for young people. Opportunities like this empower our young musicians to be ambassadors for the city of Paterson and to take pride in their hard work. These students are our future leaders and they get a front row seat to see positive changes taking place in Paterson.”