The September issue of National Geographic features an urban park in Yonkers that Warren-based PS&S, an architecture, engineering, surveying, and environmental consulting firm, was instrumental in creating.  The Yonkers Saw Mill River Daylighting Park is included in an article featuring only four parks nationwide titled ‘America the Beautiful; New ideas for protecting land, water and wildlife.’

The Saw Mill River was buried beneath the City of Yonkers at the beginning of the 20th Century. “Daylighting” the river, that is, returning the river to a more natural, open-air condition, provided community and ecological benefits and was part of Yonkers plan for social and economic progress.  PS&S led a landscape architecture team in creating a new urban river and park through the center of downtown Yonkers, New York, which features two dynamic pools and three strategic low waterfalls.

As the article states, “After native plants were installed along the new channel, wildlife appeared as if by magic. Muskrat, herons, turtles, and ducks are spotted here regularly.”   The PS&S design included a fish ladder that supports the American eel migration, an outdoor learning enclave and a hydro-electric water wheel that powers streetlights near City Hall.

“This was a true conservation project that has resulted in a win-win for the environment as well as for the community economically,” said John Sartor, President and CEO of PS&S.  “We are proud to have helped create such a visionary project that included so many local, state and federal entities to make this a reality.”