One of the most unique greenspaces in Hudson County is officially back open to the public as Jersey City has wrapped a lengthy revitalization of the historic Reservoir #3.
Mayor Steven Fulop and other dignitaries cut the ribbon this week on the 14-acre greenspace, which is situated next to Pershing Field in The Heights. The facility was first built all the way back in 1874 to provide drinking water to city residents.
It did just that until the late 1980s when the city switched over to the Boonton Reservoir in Morris County, which put Reservoir #3 out of service. The rustic space had been seasonally open to the public on a somewhat sporadic basis through the years despite the reservoir’s presence on the State and National Register of Historical Places.
Initial work to stabilize the 20-foot high Egyptian Revival walls that surround the reservoir began in 2018 and Jersey Digs first revealed the full plans for the renovation about two years later.
The space has been closed for almost three years during the work but is open just in time for the fall foliage season. The scenery in the coming weeks alone is worth a trip based on our frequently used pictures from a 2016 profile.
“Reservoir 3 is a beloved landmark in Jersey City, and its reopening marks a significant milestone in our commitment to preserving our city’s rich history while providing modern amenities and ensuring our parks remain valuable resources for recreation, education, and natural beauty for all residents to enjoy,” said Mayor Steven Fulop in a statement.
Visitors to the revamped space will immediately notice a stabilized full walking path, new lighting, fencing, and seating. Reservoir #3 now boasts new viewing sheds and work removing invasive species and algae was part of the work.
A significant number of trees and shrubbery were removed as part of the work, which was a bone of contention for some local community groups including the Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance.
The newly opened reservoir is nonetheless fully ADA compliant after the renovation, which was funded by The Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Green Acres Program.
Improvements at the reservoir aren’t quite done yet. The next steps involve rehabilitating the historic structures and remediating the water itself as part of efforts to open up greater portions to the public.
Jersey City says they have secured permits from the NJDEP and funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust to move forward with the preservation of the reservoir’s historic Romanesque pump house.
