Discover Little Island NYC: A New Urban Oasis
New York City, known for its dynamic skyline filled with rooftop restaurants and busy streets below, has added a new landmark to its array of attractions—Little Island. This public park, perched above the Hudson River, is NYC's first "floating park”, which was built from the hurricane-ravaged Pier 54, in Hudson River Park. Designed by Heatherwick Studio and funded primarily by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, the park opened in May 2021. Since then, Little Island has become a popular destination for tourists and locals with its rolling hills, walking paths, open lawns, and stunning views of the city.
Creating Little Island
Initial Plans and Funding
“What was in my mind was to build something for the people of New York and for anyone who visits—a space that at first sight was dazzling, and upon use made people happy.”
Little Island's creation began in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated New York City. By 2011, Pier 54 in Hudson River Park was deteriorating, a situation worsened by the hurricane in the following year. At a 2011 party for donors of the High Line, Diana Taylor from the Hudson River Park Trust approached Barry Diller about rebuilding the pier.
In November 2014, it was announced that Heatherwick Studio would design the new park on the site of Pier 54. The estimated cost of the 2.3-acre park ranged from $130 million to $160 million. Diller and his wife, Diane von Fürstenberg, pledged $100 million through their Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation and planned to donate an additional $30 million. The city contributed $17 million and the state $18 million.
In 2015, the Hudson River Park Trust approved the plans. The project, initially named Pier 55, was designed to float above the water on 300 concrete pillars. Despite initial concerns about rising sea levels, Diller assured that the park would be safe from a thousand-year flood. The project was affectionately dubbed "Diller Island."
Structural Design and Tulip Pots
The park covers 2.4 acres and is supported by 132 tulip-shaped concrete structures, or "tulips pots," suspended above the water on 280 concrete pilings. Each pot, weighing up to 75 tons and ranging from 15 to 62 feet above the waterline, was built by the Fort Miller Company and its sister companies, which produced steel plates and foam forms for the pots.
Heatherwick Studio’s design drew inspiration from the remnants of Pier 54, aiming to create a new park that seemed to emerge organically from the water. As the studios owner, Thomas Heatherwick explained, the idea was to extend the new concrete piles skyward, forming an undulating landscape over the river.
Landscape Design and Plant Life
Signe Nielsen, founding principal of MNLA, was responsible for designing the park’s landscape and layout, which consisted of three lawns, an amphitheater, a smaller stage and lawn area called "The Glade," and a central plaza with seating and food and beverage options. The Main Lawn, located in the center, is surrounded by various microclimates created by the park's elevated corners, offering distinct experiences through color, texture, light, and shadow.
To reduce erosion and enhance aesthetic appeal, Nielsen filled the park with more than 350 species of flowers, trees, and shrubs, including 114 trees and 65 shrub species. In springtime, the parkland comes alive with the blooms of over 66,000 bulbs. While summer features 290 varieties of large ornamental grasses and a procession of new blossoms weekly. Autumn transforms the park with warm hues and rich textures, and in winter the landscape is ethereal with evergreens.
Challenges to the the Little Island Project
In September 2017, the project was canceled due to ongoing legal disputes over environmental factors and escalating costs, which had exceeded $200 million. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo arranged a deal for the park’s completion in October 2017. Cuomo promised to finish the remaining 30 percent of Hudson River Park and ensure the surrounding plant and wildlife would not be harmed. The City Club dropped its lawsuits in exchange.
Opening Little Island
Construction resumed in April 2018, with a revised budget of $250 million. By August, pilings were being installed, and a cornerstone was laid in December. The park, renamed Little Island in October 2019, saw the first trees planted in March 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, construction continued with minimal interruptions. By May 2021, the park was officially opened, at a final cost of $260 million. The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation committed to fund the park's upkeep and programming for 20 years, with total contributions estimated at $380 million.
Things to do at Little Island Park
Performances
Visitors to Little Island can enjoy numerous activities including leisurely strolls, picnics, and free performances with an impressive lineup of events six days a week, including music, dance, circus, and spoken word performances. By 2023, Little Island had presented 572 shows including shows by the American Ballet Theatre and a three-week performing-arts festival called The Big Mix. It had welcomed over three million visitors to enjoy these performances.
Some of these performances are held in The Amph, a 687-seat wooden amphitheater for larger concerts and performances. Highlights of the 2024 season include:
- A concert by the award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices.
- A Pride weekend celebration with Tina Landau and her Broadway friends.
- The American Ballet Theatre’s return to live performance in NYC.
- The Little Orchestra Society's "Things That Go Bang!" revival.
- A weekend of island music curated by the World Music Institute.
Educational Programs and Events
The Glade, a more intimate venue for smaller performances, hosts educational events. These include creative workshops for all ages led by teaching artists. Teens can enjoy special nights organized by The Door, and the park partners with the Free Black Women’s Library, Women in Comics, and Teatro SEA for a Little Library on Fridays.
Programs from the Children's Museum of Arts and New Victory Education are held weekly and schools are encouraged to use Little Island as an outdoor classroom or field trip venue. Visits are self-guided, and any groups should inform park staff in advance by completing an online form.
Interactive Art Installations
Throughout the park, visitors can discover various interactive art installations that were created by local and international artists, and invite visitors to engage with art in new and playful ways. For children, the playground also has interactive installations, workshops, and family-friendly activities, encouraging visitors of all ages to engage with the arts.
Views from the Park
Little Island has several scenic overlooks that provide breathtaking views of the Hudson River, the New Jersey skyline, and the Statue of Liberty. These elevated vantage points are perfect for photography, quiet reflection, and taking in the beauty of the city from a new perspective.
Health and Wellness at the Park
The park also encourages physical and mental wellness through activities like yoga, meditative walks, jogging, and birdwatching. Visitors can enjoy the lush landscape and river views while engaging in healthy activities.
Dining at the Park
Union Square Events operates two food stands in the park serving a variety of food and beverage options from April to December. Offerings include classic American fare, fresh sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
Visiting Little Island
Little Island is situated on Pier 54 in the Meatpacking District, between 13th and 15th Streets. Accessible via two pedestrian bridges on the Hudson River Greenway, visitors can also reach the park by taking the A, C, E, or L subway lines to the 14th Street/8th Avenue station. The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am, with no reservations required from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. After noon, timed reservations are necessary. Admission to the park is free, though some performances in The Amph require a paid ticket.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, visitors are asked to respect park rules, such as no smoking, outside alcohol, or walking in plant beds. The park is ADA compliant, with accessible restrooms and stroller-friendly paths. Visitors can find more information on the park’s website.
Best Time to Visit
To fully appreciate Little Island’s tranquility, visiting early in the morning is recommended. For a lively atmosphere, visit during the day to see joggers, families, and friends picnicking in the dedicated eastern picnic spaces. Or in the evening head to the southwestern areas to watch the dramatic sunsets over the Hudson River.
Discover Beyond Little Island NYC with CityDays
If you want to discover more islands in New York, such as Goat Island or Bannerman Castle then, why not embark on a CityDays Hunt, and in particular our Southern Tip and Slow Boat to Chinatown Hunts? These ones delve into the history of their respective areas whilst uncovering incredible landmarks along the way, which we think you’ll enjoy!
Scavenger Hunt tours are a great way to bring family and friends—or even dates—together for an afternoon of great fun and adventure, solving clues and snapping photos. Clues will lead you to the big sights and those that you'd walk straight past.
For more information about our New York Hunts then click here: NYC Scavenger & Treasure Hunts | CityDays.
