Biohabitats on the Passaic River

By Michael Spina
Landscape Architect, Biohabitats

On the morning of Sunday October 17th, there was an unusual amount of life on the Passaic River in Northern New Jersey. The 10th Annual Head of the Passaic Regatta transformed the oft neglected river into a fun family day at the races.

A combination of beautiful weather and exciting events organized by the Neried Boat Club and the Passaic River Rowing Association drew a strong showing from the local community. People not only stood on the sidelines to watch but seemed to enjoy strolling up and down the river, finding comfortable places to sit and enjoy the day. Most of the activity centered around the starting line at the Nereid Boathouse Dock, and the finish line at the Passaic River Rowing Association Dock in Riverside County Park.

It was great to see so many friends and neighbors of the Nereid Boat Club enjoying the boathouse and dock, which will soon be rehabilitated with assistance by Biohabitats. Nereid and Biohabitats are working together to design ecologically sustainable solutions for the site’s failing 100-year-old bulkhead. The focus of the plan is to create a living shoreline anchored by native vegetation. It will be great to see future improvements to the site knowing that the Boat Club will continue to encourage the larger community to come and enjoy the river.

Photos by Joe DiCristo