Bergen County Breaks Ground On New Rowing Center

HACKENSACK, NJ — County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of Commissioners and the Bergen County Parks Department gathered on Friday to break ground on a new boathouse which will provide greater access to the Passaic River.

The group broke ground to mark the start of construction on the site of the future Bergen County Rowing Center in the southern section of Riverside County Park.

Officials say the new boathouse "will satisfy growing demand for public access to Bergen County waterfronts and rowing activities with more efficient and increased boat storage, as well as improved instructional and meeting spaces."

Good news for those new to rowing, the boathouse will also provide greater access to rowing for novice and advance users on the Passaic River.

"Today we broke ground on an exciting project that will not only revolutionize the sport of rowing in Bergen County, but will also expand once-limited access to the Passaic River for the public’s recreational enjoyment," said Tedesco.

"The future Bergen County Rowing Center, which is a central piece in the overall revitalization of Riverside County Park, demonstrates my administration’s continued commitment to open space, environmental stewardship, and the enhancement of our Bergen County Parks System for future generations to enjoy."

The two-story, 14,285 sq. ft. multi-purpose rowing center, will replace an existing one-story, 2,600 sq. ft. structure used as a makeshift boat storage facility.

"The Bergen County Parks Master Plan identified key areas throughout the County in need of additional open space, such as Southern Bergen," said Bergen County Commissioner Chairman Steve Tanelli.

"Today’s groundbreaking is just another impactful investment aimed at bridging the gap and providing the residents of South Bergen with additional exercise and recreation opportunities. Through several phases, Riverside County Park will undergo an extensive revitalization featuring a new amphitheater, walking paths, outdoor fitness stations, comfort station, and state-of-the-art children’s playground."

Bergen County has partnered with the non-profit organization Passaic River Rowing Association (PRRA) since 2003 to operate the Riverside Park facility, and offer community rowing programs to the public. Once the boathouse is complete, Bergen County will continue their partnership with PRRA to operate the facility and continue to provide community rowing, training, and environmental stewardship programs at the facility, officials said.

Clarke Caton Hintz Architects and Peterson Architects designed the project in 2019, and the Board of Commissioners awarded the construction contract to DMD Contracting on March 17.

The $7 million project is funded by grants from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund as well as the NJDEP’s Green Acres Program and the Office of Natural Resource Restoration.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2022.

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