Great Falls embody Paterson's ambition
By: Andre Sayegh
Guest columnist
..... God has given Paterson two gifts: the Great Falls and the wisdom to knew what to do with them.
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During my successful campaign for mayor in 2018, I pledged to make our gift from God the centerpiece of our city's renaissance. Eight years later, we have made significant strides in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of New Jersey's Niagara.
..... Our gaol is to make the Great Falls New Jersey's Number 1 tourist destination, and we are proud to have a partner in the national Park Service. Together we have opened an amphitheater for performances and community celebrations. As a matter of fact, it was the site of my State of the City address in 2024.
..... Flinching Stadium is he only ballpark within a national park and one of only two stadiums still standing in our country that hosted Negro League baseball games. Sadly, it was fallow and forlorn for 26 years. It was an eyesore and a depressing symbol of a city in decline. However, thanks to our team effort, we brought New Jersey's field of Dreams back to life. It is now home to three professional sports teams: the New Jersey Jackals, the New York Cosmos and a women's tackle football team, the Jersey Shore Wave.
..... In addition to reviving the stadium, we opened America's newest civil rights museum, the Charles J. Muth Museum. Moreover, we developed affordable housing for seniors, a day care center for children and a parking garage for visitors on the Hinchchliffe footprint.
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We transformed what was once a dumping ground,drug den and crime magnet into New Jersey's newest state park. Vista Park features fitness zone, a children;s playground an amphitheater and picnic grills and table. Furthermore, the park affords visitors views of both Paterson city skyline and the New York City skyline.
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Another transformation has taken place at the lower portion of the national park. We cut the ribbon on a new river walk, which is a nostalgic nod to nature and makes for a memorable selfie on social media.
..... We installed a new pedestrian bridge, and consequently, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of visitors at the park. However, we have additional plans to make our national and natural treasure more of an economic draw.
..... The Great Falls Center is currently under construction and is scheduled to be open next spring. [2027] It will house a food market, cafe, souvenir store and rooftop restaurant.
..... We are also working with the Hamilton Partnership of Paterson to build a visitor center at the national park. This is a priority for my third term.
..... All of these current attractions and future projects will be highlighted this month on News 12's program "Road Trip Cloe To Home."
..... The Great Falls are where Alexander Hamilton set the stage for the American Industrial R Evolution, and it is now time for our city's second act. In fact, my favorite song in the very popular Broadway musical named for the Founding Father of Paterson is "My Shot." Well, we are shooting for the moon and the stars to make suer that people "Fall in love with Paterson."
..... Andre Sayegh is the mayor of Paterson.