City of Water Day

Passaic River Makes a Splash 2023

Dundee Island State Park Passaic, NJ
July 15th, 2023

Participants will have the opportunity to plant, listen to student-led music and story hour, and complete a scavenger hunt while we explore ways community members can help the local ecosystem adapt to climate change and sea level rise. Join us. Make a change.

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About Us

What is City of Water Day ?

The City of Water Day , a collective initiative orchestrated by the Waterfront Alliance and the New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), serves as a grand symphony that harmonizes efforts towards a New York and New Jersey harbor fortified against climate challenges.

Spanning numerous neighborhoods encompassing the five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland counties, as well as New Jersey, this significant event will witness a myriad of captivating events nestled alongside the serene waters. These immersive experiences will not only commemorate the significance of a resilient and inclusive waterfront but also provide community members with fun opportunities that will encourage them to acquire knowledge and bask in the beauty of their local aquatic landscapes.

100%
Team Work
95%
Commitment
90%
Community
City of Water

History of Dundee Island

Settlement
Industrialization
Expansion
Decline
Revitalization

  • The Early Settlement and Land Acquisitions by Hartman Michielse

    The history of the Dundee Island Canal and its surrounding Dundee Canal Industrial Historic District (DCIHD) dates to the earliest European settlement of Passaic and Clifton. One of the area’s first settlers, Hartman Michielse (or Michielsen), purchased the land in 1678 and for the rest of his life, acquired hundreds of acres from these two municipalities as well as parts of Paterson. At the time, these lands were called Acquackanonk Landing, or simply Acquackanonk. Michielse’s relations later adopted the name Vreeland and held onto much of the land well into the mid-nineteenth century.

    This information has been provided by Kelly McManus at The Passaic Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs

    La historia del Canal de la isla Dundee y del distrito histórico industrial del canal Dundee (DCIHD) que lo rodea se remonta a los primeros asentamientos europeos en Passaic y Clifton. Uno de los primeros colonos de la zona, Hartman Michielse (o Michielsen), compró la tierra en 1678 y durante el resto de su vida adquirió cientos de acres de estos dos municipios, así como partes de Paterson. En ese momento, estas tierras se llamaban Acquackanonk Landing, o simplemente Acquackanonk. Los parientes de Michielse adoptaron más tarde el nombre Vreeland y conservaron gran parte de la tierra hasta mediados del siglo XIX.

    Esta información ha sido proporcionada por Kelly McManus en el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales e Históricos de Passaic

  • The Dundee Manufacturing Company's Canal

    In the 1830s, the Dundee Manufacturing Company (DMC) dammed the Passaic River at the site of the present Dundee Dam and constructed a half-mile canal that led into Passaic. The success of this effort was limited, and between 1858 and 1861, the DMC built a new canal. This canal became the Dundee Island Canal which the future park, Dundee Island Park, is named after. It stretched 1.8 miles and despite issues with the company fulfilling its charter, it helped expand and develop the industry of Passaic. Coupled with local railroads, textile and paper mills such as Botany Mills, the Dundee Textile Company, and the McLean Textile Company would establish themselves along the banks of the Passaic.

    This information has been provided by Kelly McManus at The Passaic Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs

    En la década de 1830, la Dundee Manufacturing Company (DMC) construyó una represa en el río Passaic en el sitio de la actual presa de Dundee y construyó un canal de media milla que conducía a Passaic. El éxito de este esfuerzo fue limitado y, entre 1858 y 1861, la DMC construyó un nuevo canal. Este canal se convirtió en el canal de la isla Dundee, que da nombre al futuro parque, Dundee Island Park. Tenía una longitud de 1.8 millas y, a pesar de los problemas con la compañía para cumplir con su estatuto, ayudó a expandir y desarrollar la industria de Passaic. Junto con los ferrocarriles locales, las fábricas textiles y de papel como Botany Mills, Dundee Textile Company y McLean Textile Company se establecerían a lo largo de las orillas del Passaic.

    Esta información ha sido proporcionada por Kelly McManus en el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales e Históricos de Passaic

  • Population Boom and Transportation Advancements

    With the canal offering hydropower and the railroad service providing rapid transportation of raw products and manufactured goods, the population of Passaic and Clifton exploded. The factories established here using the canal weathered worker strikes of the 1910s and 20s, and survived the trials of the great depression.

    This information has been provided by Kelly McManus at The Passaic Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs

    Con el canal ofreciendo energía hidroeléctrica y el servicio ferroviario proporcionando un transporte rápido de materias primas y productos manufacturados, la población de Passaic y Clifton explotó. Las fábricas establecidas aquí utilizando el canal resistieron las huelgas de trabajadores de las décadas de 1910 y 1920 y sobrevivieron a las pruebas de la gran depresión.

    Esta información ha sido proporcionada por Kelly McManus en el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales e Históricos de Passaic

  • Decline and Neglect of the Dundee Island Canal

    Following the end of World War II, many of the textile and paper manufacturers that had established themselves along the canal went out of business. The site fell into decay with garbage piling up and maintenance concerns ignored. By the mid-1990s, much of the original canal had been filled or demolished. Route 21 expanded and new businesses took the place of where the canal had once stood.

    This information has been provided by Kelly McManus at The Passaic Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs

    Después del final de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, muchos de los fabricantes de textiles y papel que se habían establecido a lo largo del canal cerraron. El sitio cayó en decadencia, con acumulación de basura y problemas de mantenimiento ignorados. A mediados de la década de 1990, gran parte del canal original se había llenado o demolido. La ruta 21 se expandió y nuevos negocios ocuparon el lugar donde alguna vez estuvo el canal.

    This information has been provided by Kelly McManus at The Passaic Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs

  • Revitalization: Creating Dundee Island Park

    Today, Dundee Island Park rests along the western side of the Passaic River, just east of where the canal once passed through. This riverfront community consisting of some 80,000 people lacked open space for recreational use, so the County, along with the City of Passaic, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Trust for Public Land, MKW + Associates, and Boswell Engineering worked together to solve this issue. Now the park acts as a major attraction for families, community members, and visitors. Built on a floodplain, the park features sustainable designs for flood remediation. They utilized permeable surfaces so that flood waters can enter the soil without passing on and destroying other infrastructure. The elevated Fieldhouse is designed to be climate resistant and meet the needs of the local community. Created with the idea that everyone should live within walking distance of a park, Dundee Island Park is the first park to be added to the County’s Park System in over 50 years.

    Esta información ha sido proporcionada por Kelly McManus en el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales e Históricos de Passaic

    Hoy, Dundee Island Park descansa a lo largo del lado occidental del río Passaic, justo al este de donde una vez pasó el canal. Esta comunidad ribereña que consta de unas 80,000 personas carecía de espacios abiertos para uso recreativo, por lo que el Condado, junto con la Ciudad de Passaic, el Departamento de Protección Ambiental de Nueva Jersey, Trust for Public Land, MKW + Associates y Boswell Engineering trabajaron juntos para resolver este problema. Ahora el parque actúa como una gran atracción para familias, miembros de la comunidad y visitantes. Construido sobre una llanura aluvial, el parque presenta diseños sostenibles para la remediación de inundaciones. Utilizaron superficies permeables para que las aguas de inundación puedan ingresar al suelo sin pasar y destruir otras infraestructuras. El Fieldhouse elevado está diseñado para ser resistente al clima y satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad local. Creado con la idea de que todos deberían vivir a poca distancia de un parque, Dundee Island Park es el primer parque que se agrega al Sistema de Parques del Condado en más de 50 años.

    Esta información ha sido proporcionada por Kelly McManus en el Departamento de Asuntos Culturales e Históricos de Passaic

City of Water Day

The winners of our Poem Competition

About Poetry Contest

Click Me To See ALL Poems in Spanish & English

1st Place Winner

Nidhi Rana

2nd Place Winner

Brenda Cuacuil-Munguia

3rd Place Winner

Maria Flores

Honorable Mentions

6 students
City of Water Day

Check Our Book & Acknowledgements

PASE July 2023

City of Water Day 2023

Through stunning artwork, amazing poetry, and heartfelt statements from district leaders and community figures, this book emphasizes the significance of the City of Water Day and the importance of a clean environment. It serves as a powerful call to action, inspiring readers to work towards a sustainable future for all.

By: PASE Faculty & Students
See Book
Thank yous July 2023

We appreciate the grant!

This event is possible thanks to a grant awarded to The Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering by The New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program and Hudson River Foundation.

Thank yous July 2023

We thank our community partners!

Thank you: City of Passaic Mayor Lora's Office, Matrix New World Engineering INC, The Passaic County Parks and Recreation Department and Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs, and Passaic Preparatory Academy Gardening Club led by Aimee Zanabria.

Thank yous July 2023

We thank our Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering Team

This project would not have been possible without the Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering Team: Key Club and National Honors Society, Student Musicians led by Keith Place, Student Leaders Seidy Castillo and Darianny Nunez, Administration Team members Dr. Jennifer Aguilar, Ningel Bhuta, and Janely Jose, as well as the Teacher Team comprised of Sue-Anne Alonso, Valerie Bellows, Anna Dowd, Klarissa Garcia, Carolmarie Sofia Lowenstein, and Haley Scheerer.

Location

Event Location

Email PASE Faculty Member
Veterans Ct, Passaic, NJ 07055