The hard structures of Highland Park’s new Centennial Park at Raritan Avenue and River Road are beginning to appear against the earth-moving that has been the main site activity for many weeks. These wooden forms will be used in creating steps down from the slightly raised parkland to the street below. Partly visible to the left is the beginning of grading for the larger zig-zag ramp that will give universal access at the same point. Other recent work includes constructing concrete retaining walls left of this photo that separate the park from a neighboring house, and the grading out of a hollow for planting a “rain garden” off to the right that will allow storm runoff to be held and partly taken up by a field of native plants. Photo: Arnold Clayton Henderson 11/21/2006.

Construction equipment rests high in the air atop materials it has scooped out at the future site of the Centennial Park. Because this was a former limo lot, the soils had to be studied in advance of the July digging in case serious pollutants might be found that could deter construction. They weren’t.
Photo: Arnold Clayton Henderson 7/11/2006

Construction began in July 2006 for Centennial Park in the triangular lot formed by the intersection of River Road, Raritan Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue. This will be primarily a ‘visual’ park for most people, the first thing drivers entering Highland Park will see as they cross the bridge over the Raritan River.
Photo: Arnold Clayton Henderson 7/11/2006