Riverfront Recapture has selected Hargreaves Jones, a renowned leader in landscape architecture and design, to develop a master plan for their new riverfront park, regional trail extension, and complementary commercial development on the Hartford-Windsor line.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have a firm with Hargreaves Jones’ experience as our partner in this endeavor,” said Michael Zaleski, President & CEO of Riverfront Recapture. “Their team will help us transform this previously inaccessible land into a thriving community asset with far-reaching benefits: fostering environmental stewardship, uniting communities, driving economic growth, and furthering our mission to connect people with the Connecticut River.” 

Hargreaves Jones is a leader in designing resilient and iconic public waterfront parks and transformative architecture for cities and communities. Hargreaves Jones’ signature projects include Crissy Field on the San Francisco Bay, Louisville Waterfront Park on the Ohio River, Chattanooga 21st Century & Renaissance Park on the Tennessee River, and London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the River Lea. Their work has been widely exhibited, published, and recognized by over 100 national and international awards, including the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, the Rosa Barba International Landscape Prize, and the prestigious American Society of Landscape Architecture Landmark Award. 

“We are excited and honored by this opportunity to develop a vision that will transform this remarkable site into a unique new park that will add to the existing vibrant and beloved riverfront park system – serving communities from near and far to experience and connect with the Connecticut River,” said Mary Margaret Jones, President & CEO of Hargreaves Jones. ”It will strategically reinforce and extend the existing park system northward, resulting in five connected parks along 7 miles of the Connecticut River. The Hargreaves Jones team is eager to work with Riverfront Recapture to develop a plan that is inspiring, resilient, and poised for implementation.”

Riverfront Recapture’s selection criteria for the project called for firms with experience in designing innovative and engaging public spaces, a robust and inclusive community engagement process, experience in regulatory permitting, understanding of environmental restrictions, a background in brownfield site development, experience in sustainable building practice, demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion & diversity, and a track record of successful park design projects attracting construction funding. Hargreaves Jones’ partners in the proposal bring a broad range of experience to Riverfront Recapture’s project, including Sage & Coombe Architects, Fuss & O’Neill, HR&A Advisors, Trophy Point, and Hive Public Space. 

Hive Public Space, a BIPOC and women-led urban design and placemaking studio, will lead an inclusive community engagement process to connect with future park users of all ages and abilities. They bring a wealth of expertise in community engagement. Their approach begins with strategically tapping into existing resources within the project’s local communities and leveraging them to spearhead a cohesive and creative engagement plan. This effort will begin with a Winter Site Walk on Saturday, December 2, at 11 am. Register to attend here. 

Renderings: Hargreaves Jones