Walden Pond Restoration
PROJECT STATUS
Planning
Design
Construction
Completed
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Excavated in 1962 as a fishing and skating pond and named for Freeholder Alfred S. Walden, Walden Pond has for more than six decades been a place for visitors to rest and observe the natural ecosystem of Van Saun County Park. Like any constructed pond fed by a stream, Walden Pond is subject to natural forces. Sediment carried in by runoff and stream flow gradually accumulates, water quality shifts, and habitat conditions change over time. To sustain the pond for future generations, the County is undertaking a comprehensive assessment and restoration effort that includes sediment management, ecological restoration, stormwater improvements, and upgraded public amenities. This active capital project advances the environmental stewardship and infrastructure goals of the 2019 From Marshes to Mountains: Bergen County Parks Master Plan. Design work is continuing, and construction will follow to protect and restore this critical park asset.
PROJECT INFORMATION
| Budget: | $5,040,000 |
| Location: | 401 Valley Rd, River Edge, NJ 07661 |
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements under consideration for Walden Pond include restoring the pond to its original design depth, adding sediment and stormwater management features to protect water quality, enhancing the park with a new pedestrian bridge, improved walking paths and a sculpture garden, and removing invasive plants to support native habitat. The design is still being refined, and the final approach will be shared as the project advances.
RENDERINGS AND GRAPHICS
PROFESSIONALS
Civil Engineer: Boswell Engineering, Inc.