The Grand Steps serve as the terminus to the Great Lawn and as the major access point to the river. Moving from the edge of the fountain to the river, the stone placement of the Grand Steps matches the geometry of the Great Lawn as it approaches the river’s edge.

These large platforms of granite break down into smaller and more irregular pieces as they become increasingly interspersed with the riparian floodplain plantings. Granite steps carry visitors through this transition and supply visitors with safe, structured access to the water.

In addition to providing a social function for the park, the Grand Steps also serve a more technical function, acting as a manifold distribution for a underground stormwater main. Small openings in the Grand Steps allow stormwater passage and assist in mitigating stormwater release