After (top) & Before (bottom): These before and after images show the Susquehanna River's edge in downtown Owego, New York. The backside of the historic "Riverow" commercial buildings overlook the water's edge, which had become badly eroded. Bank stabilization and new plantings have now redefine the river's edge. Top Photo: Chuck Haupt Bottom Photo: Michael Haas
Owego, New York has long thrived on a rich history and connection to the Susquehanna River. Although this symbiotic relationship was critical in the economic and social development of this small upstate New York community, over the years the strength of this connection waned. It was from this historical desire to reconnect the village to the river once again that the Owego Riverwalk grew.
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The dog walker is heading east on the Riverwalk and under the Court Street Bridge.
The trees along the walk are a mix of linden, hawthorne, ash, maple, willow, serviceberry and river birch (Betula nigra "Heritage', pictured left), all indigenous to the Susquehanna riverbanks. The linden's (Tilia cordata) were selected for their similarity to the many basswood trees that previously grew here. Photo: Chuck Haupt
Local discussions and planning for the trail began over 30 years ago (Riverow plan, J. Mowery, 1977). The historic Owego Marketplace, a nonprofit business organization that markets the commercial district regionally, rekindled the earlier vision. The project was formally initiated through NYSDOT in the spring of 2004 after federal monies were secured through Representative Hinchey's office for design and construction. In February 2005, the design team was selected to complete the Riverwalk. The master plan was created by HAAS Landscape Architects, in collaboration with Delta Engineers, both Binghamton, New York-based design firms with waterfront development r????(R)???(C)sum????(R)???(C)s. The project went up for bid in the spring of 2009 and was awarded to ProCon Contracting of Vestal, N.Y. The project was completed in the spring of 2010. The Owego Riverwalk received an "Honor Award for Built Projects" in 2012 from the N.Y. Upstate ASLA Chapter.
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The old, narrow passage separating the Riverow buildings and the river were certainly not inviting, particularly at night. Today, the 10-ft. wide quarter-mile stretch of wood-patterned concrete path mimics the original wooden sidewalks at the turn of the 20th century. The backs of some of the basements still display steel boat moorings mounted to the foundations, and suspended brackets once used to support loading docks, testimony to the once thriving river commerce. The building stone is etched from spring ice flows of years past. Now, the roof runoff is captured in downspouts and carried below the trail. Photos: Michael Haas
Project Challenges
A multitude of environmental, property, engineering and funding issues had to be addressed early in the design work. The project corridor comprised 21 separate parcels and 16 owners. Permanent easements had to be negotiated with all owners to allow construction to advance. While no "hard connections" from the Riverwalk to Riverow were made as part of the plan, opportunities for such were considered. (Note: Riverow is a block of commercial buildings on the eastern end of Riverwalk.) As expected, individual businesses initiated numerous enhancements since the completion of the project, including access to the rear fa?????ades of these historic buildings.
Years of erosion along the river's edge and frequent flooding were key causes of concern behind Riverow, and a potential maintenance headache for the proposed trail. Form and function became major design objectives for the improvements. An exposed village sewer main and seriously eroded banks were concurrently addressed after studying the river's hydraulics. Stone armoring of the bank was added to protect these elements. Longevity and maintenance were key concerns, as all park features located below the 100-year flood elevation were designed to withstand floodwater levels, ice flows and debris with minimum damage or cleanup expense. Park features include custom precast seat blocks that incorporate submersible LED lighting.
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The precast concrete seat blocks along the trail are patterned and colored with form liners to give the appearance of limestone. This material choice allowed for installing recessed, submersible LED lighting (Prisma Architectural Lighting), which can been seen from the south side of Interstate I-86. During seasonal flooding, the LEDs can be seen aglow underwater. Photo: Chuck Haupt
All pathways maintain a five percent or less grade to eliminate the need for handrails. Since opening, the trail has withstood seasonal flooding. September 8, 2011 saw flash flooding in Owego and the Riverwalk from Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee. The flooding devastated over 80 percent of the village.
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The fishing/seating area located opposite the future "Gateway Space" offers direct access to the river. Boat moorings for canoes and kayaks are installed in faces of the lower steps. The spring flooding has deposited silt on the lower patterned concrete steps. Photo: Chuck Haupt
Design Overview
The Owego Riverwalk consists of three major areas: Draper Park, Ahwaga Park (nicknamed Mayor's Park) and the connecting riverbank trail. Ahwaga is a small park at the eastern end; Draper is a larger park west of Court Street Bridge. Within Draper Park pedestrian linkages are made to Front Street via a stone-textured concrete walk to resemble those still prevalent in the village. Much effort was made to retain the pastoral character of Draper Park and its many amenities. The access closest to the Court Street Bridge showcases an information kiosk depicting area attractions. Interpretive signage along the trail explains the valley's natural resources and historical connections to the river.
The park walkway connects to a native bluestone staircase that descends the slope to give direct access to the Riverwalk. An alternate route parallels the well-planted embankment until it abuts an ADA-compliant boardwalk-textured concrete path that also allows service access. An attractive overlook along the upper path offers superior views to the river valley and bridge. The overlook is a favorite spot for wedding and prom photos.
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Bluestone veneered stairs provide direct access from Draper Park to the Riverwalk. The trail's width accommodates service and snow removal vehicles, flood cleanup and landscape equipment. All concrete pavement joints were dowelled and sealed to assure a continuous surface with no threat of movement at the joints. Top Photo: Chuck Haupt Bottom Photo: Michael Haas
The trail stretches about a quarter mile from Draper Park to Ahwaga Park beneath the bridge, and along the backside of the historic buildings known as Riverow. The trail, slightly wider than the original riverbank, closely follows the existing grade, allowing a 10-ft. wide paved path surface and generous vegetated space on either side. The Riverwalk passes below existing decks and heavy timber supports, while maintaining an eight-foot minimum overhead clearance. Observed in the character of the stone basement fa?????ades are the original steel of the canal boat moorings, stone foundations etched from spring ice flows of years past, flood level debris still visible on the brick and suspended brackets once used to support loading docks, testimony to the once thriving river commerce. All features were preserved.
The trail continues to a fishing/seating area located opposite the vacant "Gateway Space." Here direct access to the river is allowed via terraced seat blocks keyed into the bank improvements.
At the eastern project terminus in Ahwaga Park, another information kiosk is placed within the small streetside plaza. Again, a stone-patterned concrete walk has been aligned near the easternmost building to minimize impacts to the park and existing trees. At the natural break in the bank, the path descends in a switchback formation, maintaining grade at five percent or less to eliminate the need for handrails. A stairway also joins at the top of bank and provides direct access to the new path below.
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The decorative LED pedestrian lighting (Sternberg) provides ample illumination for the parkscape. The Dark Sky-approved cutoffs focus the light directly downward to reduce light pollution. Original stone blocks in Draper Park were saved and reused. Photo: Michael Haas
Plantings
Native plantings along the Riverwalk display seasonal color, have minimal maintenance needs, buffer views of service equipment and create a visual edge to the riverbank. Perennials were added as self-propagating species that can survive intermittent flooding and river silt. Ample lawns have been maintained in both parks for multipurpose activities, and a native grass meadow seeded behind Riverow. Tree plantings consist of a mix of linden, hawthorne, ash, maple, willow, serviceberry and river birch – all indigenous to the Susquehanna riverbanks.
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Perpendicular to the trail are two path offshoots with plazas placed at the entrances of two parks. This is the Ahwaga Park plaza at the east end of the Riverwalk. The information kiosk (graphic panels by Pannier Graphics) matches the one at the Draper Park entrance. The patterned concrete walk is integrally colored (Solomon Colors) and highlighted to resemble the original slate walks throughout Owego Village. Custom "Decatur' bike bollards (Sternberg Lighting) resemble the boat moorings found on exposed foundation walls. Recycled plastic benches (Barco Products) in a cedar color, and Dumor all-steel trash receptacles are additional site amenities. Photo: Michael Haas
Site Amenities and Material Selections
Site amenities such as period light poles, benches, trash receptacles and planters have all been located above seasonal flood elevations in both parks. Custom bike bollards are located in each park, as bikes are not allowed along the Riverwalk. The large precast concrete blocks, patterned to resemble quarried stone blocks in foundations, provided a means to incorporate safe, cool and functional LED lighting at the edges of the trail, additional seating during festivals and the ability to retain portions of the riverbank for accessibility. Discussions with local historians identified much about the project site. Highlighting this important history became a key design objective for materials selection and the interpretation of the former river commerce and navigation.
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The Draper Park overlook along the upper path has a bluestone wall with a rock-faced finish commonly called "Llenroc." Llenroc (Cornell spelled backwards) replicates the texture and pattern of Lockport limestone used to construct the Ezra Cornell villa between 1865 and 1875. The capstone is bluestone from Upstate New York with a thermal finish. The railing is powder-coated steel. Photo: Chuck Haupt
Maintenance
Operation and maintenance costs of the Riverwalk were minimized through conscientious design. The trail's width accommodates service and snow removal vehicles, flood cleanup and landscape equipment. All concrete pavement joints were dowelled and sealed to assure a continuous surface with no threat of movement at the joints. LED lighting was installed for its low cost and durability of fixtures during flood events. Master gardeners have adopted the plantings and continue to divide perennials and grasses to sustain the planted edge that separates pedestrians from the stabilized riverbank.
Project Team
Landscape Architect: HAAS Landscape Architects
• Project Manager – Michael Haas, PLA
• Project Designer – Jessel Champoux, PLA
Civil Engineer: Delta Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, P.C.
• Project Manager – James McDuffee, P.E.
Hydraulic Engineer: Woidt Engineering and Consulting, P.C.
Survey & Environmental: Shumaker Engineering and Land Surveying
General Contractor:
ProCon Contracting, Vestal, NY
Patterned Concrete - Collins Concrete Construction
Masonry - Benaquisto Masonry
Precast Concrete - Binghamton Precast & Supply Co.
Landscape Contractor - Watson Farms, LLC
Owner: The Village of Owego (Owner), Kevin Millar, Mayor (present)
Riverwalk Steering Committee
Vendors
Bridges: Light Poles & Bollards – Sternberg Lighting (Decatur)
Trash Receptacles: Dumor, Inc. (102-32 All Steel Receptacle)
Benches: Barco Products (Model Gtb-800, color – cedar)
Bike Racks: Sternberg
Graphic Panels & Interpretive Pedestals: Pannier Graphics
Pavement Color Manufacturer: Solomon Colors, Inc.
Seatblock Lighting (Submersible LED fixture): Prisma Architectural Lighting
