Washington Park, located in the heart of downtown Albany, is a historic beloved gem of the City’s Park system serving not just Albany residents and children, but also visitors who come from far and wide to enjoy this historic park. Many visitors for over a century. Unfortunately, the existing playground has not been updated in decades and no longer adequately serves the needs of a bustling park in the heart of downtown.
The subject project includes construction of a new playground within a 1.5-acre portion of Washington Park in the City of Albany. A Phase IA archaeological study was previously prepared. The site is located in the former limits of the State Street Burial Ground, which was established on this site ca. 1800 until about the 1850s. Burials from the site were removed and relocated to Albany Rural Cemetery in the 1860s. The former burial ground was redesigned and reconstructed as part of Washington Park in 1870.
NYSHPO’s review of the Phase IA report has resulted in a requested for geophysical (ground penetrating radar, or GPR) investigation, potential pre-construction archaeological testing of any identified GPR anomalies, preparation of an archaeological monitoring plan, and archaeological monitoring during construction. The Phase IA report is included as Exhibit A.
The project’s cut, fill, and ground disturbance diagrams are included as Exhibit B.
As the park is publically accessible year-round, applicants have the opportunity to visit the site on their own at any time dawn-dusk.
