Parking Lot to Soon Be History at New Bridge Landing

The roadway and parking lot at Historic New Bridge Landing, adjacent to the Steuben House, will soon be history.

A plan to turn them into an area for walking has been approved by the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission and will be moving forward this spring.

During his report at the March 3 monthly meeting of the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission, Michael J. Trepicchio, chairman of the commission, said the project is now out to bid and should begin, “within the next couple of months.”

Trepicchio explained that the roadway will be changed from macadam to a more “user friendly area for walking purposes only.”

“At the same time we are removing the parking lot in front of the (Steuben) House but will keep a turn- around for emergency purposes,” the chairman said.

Trepicchio said the project will, “help restore the river bank to a more natural setting.”

“This will also fulfill one of the projects in our master plan which is to remove 20^th Century intrusions,” he said.

In a related development, Trepicchio said that a walkway that traverses the entire 18-acre historic site was completed at the end of last year.

Installed in early December, the new path starts at Hackensack Avenue and travels through the park linking all three historical homes at the site.

The three historic homes located at New Bridge Landing are the Campbell Christie House, the Demarest House and the Steuben House.

Trepicchio said the path has a “handicapped accessible” surface as well.

“Now there is an easy way for everyone to get through the site,” he said.

Trepicchio then commented on the recent programs that have happened at the historic site, specifically the Washington’s Birthday celebration.

“We have been having a lot of great programs and people have been coming out and have been very impressed--support for the park is increasing,” he said.