Elevated urban green space in New York showcases horticultural expertise by prominent landscape architects
Little Island: A Floating Urban Oasis in New York City
Little Island, a new public park and arts venue, has made its debut on the Hudson River in New York City. This unique floating garden, occupying the space left by three of the old Chelsea Piers, is a modern urban oasis designed by Heatherwick Studio.
The park's striking, sculptural structure, consisting of 132 tulip-shaped, precast concrete structures, rises from the river. The landscape, crafted by Heatherwick Studio and Signe Nielsen, principal founder of MNLA, focuses on creating an immersive, undulating landscape with rolling hills, varied walking paths, and naturalistic plantings.
Signe Nielsen was responsible for the park's lush landscapes, which feature over 350 different plant species. The planting scheme provides well-considered habitat niches and food sources for wildlife, and is designed to suit a variety of microclimates. Across the park, over 60 species of bulbs, 80 species of shrubs, 249 species of perennials, 80 species of grasses, and 42 species of trees were planted.
The Moon Garden, located in the southeast quadrant, is filled with white plants, while the Southwest Overlook, the highest point in the park at almost 19m, offers breathtaking views over the Hudson River. Signe, a former ballet dancer, designed the planting to evoke the flow of movement between dancers.
The park's meandering paths and steps encourage exploration of its dynamic landscape, with hidden lookouts and seemingly secret spaces adding to the sense of adventure. The planting scheme also features a seasonally changing color palette, called 'bloom sweep', that ties the four quadrants visually together and is linked to temperature.
Maintaining the park is the responsibility of the park's head of horticulture, Orrin Sheehan, and his small team. Interacting with visitors eager to learn about the park's planting is an enjoyable aspect of the garden team's work. The park's seasonal routine includes early cutbacks in January, lawn care, and plant maintenance in the warmer months.
Little Island was transformed into a public park and outdoor performance space after a $260 million investment from Barry Diller and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. In the early 20th century, these piers served as the main port for the Cunard White Star Line, with the RMS Titanic headed from one of these piers.
The park's design balances aesthetics, ecology, and human experience by integrating performance areas seamlessly with greenery, fostering wellness and sensory engagement within the urban context. Little Island is more than just a park; it's a sanctuary-like atmosphere that invites visitors to explore, learn, and enjoy the beauty of nature in the heart of the city.
- The landscape of Little Island, a new public park in New York City, features an immersive, undulating design with rolling hills, varied walking paths, and naturalistic plantings, crafted by Heatherwick Studio and Signe Nielsen.
- Signe Nielsen, the park's lead landscape architect, designed the planting scheme to provide habitat niches and food sources for wildlife, featuring over 350 different plant species.
- Maintaining the park's lush gardens is the responsibility of the park's head of horticulture, Orrin Sheehan, and his small team, who engage with visitors eager to learn about the park's planting.
- Little Island aims to foster wellness and sensory engagement within the urban context, offering a sanctuary-like atmosphere where visitors can explore, learn, and enjoy the beauty of nature, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
