NYSOPRHP Sunken Meadow State Park Gateway Building
Sunken Meadow State Park was conceived in 1926 by the Long Island State Parks Commission (LISPC) under New York Governor Alfred E. Smith. Robert Moses, LISPC Chairman during this period, initiated development efforts at Sunken Meadow State Park by providing critical infrastructure while concurrently creating the means for patrons to access the park through the construction of parkways throughout Long Island. As part of park expansion activities in 1958, a permanent gateway plaza was constructed at the park entrance to welcome patrons at Sunken Meadow State Parkway’s northernmost terminus. Not since its construction had the plaza received any significant renovations, leading to a deteriorated facade and antiquated mechanical and communication systems.
The project provides an outdated facility with modern technological amenities, such as new electrical and telecom services, energy-efficient LED lighting, and automated pay stations allowing for streamlined transactions. In addition, dynamic message signage at each admission lane designates open/closed lanes and was also connected to real-time data sources to provide patrons with situational messages such as hours of operation, fees and weather conditions. The design also showcases unique architectural features of the existing park structures, including bullnose brick patterning and glass block details from the existing on-site bathhouses to articulate the bases of all the new structures along with the combination of an English and Stack brick bond to clad the structures. Material selections used for the gateway reconstruction also focused on leveraging low-maintenance and long-duration building materials to reduce overall operating costs for the Park.
The design process for the selected concept utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) to develop photorealistic images of the proposed plaza and overall project. The BIM model was further used to coordinate the structural, architectural, and MEP systems to allow for a fully coordinated deliverable. As part of the design process, D&B also coordinated with NYSOPRHP and other stakeholders—such as the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)—to establish temporary traffic plans that adequately divert and reroute vehicular traffic to support the new design improvements.
Other critical components of the project included the performance of hazardous materials surveys for the presence and abatement of asbestos-containing material, lead-based paint and other hazardous materials/constituents of concern for each affected structure per applicable federal, state and local regulations promulgated by USEPA, OSHA, NYSDEC, and NYSDOL. D&B also assisted with other environmental aspects, including the completion of an environmental review process established by the New York State Environmental Quality Act (SEQRA) and under 6 NYCRR Part 617.
Contact Us