Canal Street Riverfront Park, Concord, New Hampshire

The Canal Street Riverfront Park transforms the former Allied Leather Tannery brownfield site into the first new public park in Concord, NH, in over 40 years. This project is the final component in the city’s efforts to redevelop two adjacent brownfield sites. The park is located in Penacook Village, one of several villages within the City of Concord. A brownfield site refers to property where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by hazardous substances, and is typically land that was once used for commercial or industrial developments.

The village dates back 10,000 years to a substantial Native American settlement in the Merrimack Valley, which then evolved into a colonial settlement centered around a hundred-foot waterfall. This location became the hub of mill and industry activity, with weaving, leatherwork, and furniture making among its primary industries. With the decline of water-powered mills, the buildings deteriorated and eventually fell into bankruptcy. Due to significant environmental issues, the city acquired eight parcels consisting of 6.17 acres between 2003 and 2012 to facilitate cleanup and redevelopment efforts. 

A great deal of planning and thoughtful design was required to transform this area into a space where the community can gather and connect with nature. The GPI team worked with the City of Concord throughout the project to bring the park to life. The goal was to create a space that restores access to the waterfront while enhancing bicycle and pedestrian connections to support multimodal transportation and tourism. The new walkway system makes the site universally accessible to all park visitors, providing easy travel options for both walkers and wheelchair users. The design also incorporated various innovative features to protect the delicate environment while introducing new amenities. Nobis Group was brought in to provide geotechnical engineering services, and HL Turner Group developed the pavilion design and provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services. Loureiro Engineering Associates was also involved in preparing the soil management plan. The Penacook Village Association facilitated community outreach focused on the quality of life, preservation of historic character, and economic vitality within the Penacook Village. The Canal Street Riverfront Park officially opened on August 13th, 2025.