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    Our Vision for the Reservoir

    A look at the Alliance’s Vision for the Reservoir:
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    Key Design Principles

    The Reservoir Alliance Vision for the Reservoir’s Future

    1. A Formal Site Plan, with incremental phases of development.
    2. Preserve the feeling of a secluded, quiet natural retreat from the surrounding city and the feeling of being “out in nature” in an un-manicured environment.
    3. Preserve and enhance existing flora and fauna including trees and meadows
      1. but remove selected invasive noxious species such as poison ivy, ailanthus, etc.
      2. favor sustainable native plantings.
    4. Establish a wildlife sanctuary with enhanced habitats, including along the Eastern shore, and entire Reservoir site is to be nature-friendly.
    5. Preserve and highlight historical structures, fabric, and material described in the Historic Structure Report on the Reservoir.
    6. Preserve and adaptively re-use Gatehouses for environmental education, historic education, art gallery space, and Reservoir volunteer meetings. Preserve Tower as Reservoir icon with future access as a lookout point.
    7. New construction would be minimally visually intrusive in size, color, design, and material. Improvements would be built with sustainable materials, using materials already on site if possible.
    8. Preserve open waters and wetlands and enhance still and running water, (adding waterfalls, a stream descending from the gatehouse etc.) Running waters/waterfalls would filter, aerate, and promote the heath of, the lake. Devise a way to maintain a more constant water level. Design a variety of natural shorelines.
    9. Recreational access to water for boating and fishing. A safe way for children to play in water
    10. Perimeter trail with bridge over Jefferson Ave. entrance, interior trails and boardwalk with benches and scenic overlooks. Safe, level areas for seniors and handicapped.
    11. Boathouse and dock.
    12. Grassy field/beach for picnicking/relaxation. Keep the island, and hilly terrain and bluff rocks on the North-Western shoreline.
    13. Security. A perimeter fence on the walls, aesthetically consistent with the site, and where necessary at street level, to secure site when the Reservoir is closed. Also explore CCTV security.
    14. Minimal artificial lighting.
    15. Restrooms/water fountains, vandal resistant.
    16. Maintain the Reservoir’s current function/ability to absorb water runoff during rainstorms so it does not contribute to flooding the city sewer system during heavy rains.

    Contact the Alliance at jcreservoir@juno.com or 201-656-5235

    Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance
    P.O. Box 7833
    Jersey City, NJ 07307

    jcreservoir.org