As one of New York’s latest landmark destinations, this artificial oasis floats above the water, combining breathtaking imagination with a restorative atmosphere. The park offers immersive experiences through its artistic installations and vibrant natural ecosystem, making this island park a truly unique experience.
Project Background
The site has a rich history, dating back to the early colonial era, when it served as a seasonal hunting and fishing camp for Native American tribes and a hub for trade along the Hudson River. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the waterfront transformed into a bustling port of entry, and in 1912, it famously became the landing site for Titanic survivors returning to New York. After many changes, the pier became part of the newly established Hudson River Park in 1998, serving as a public space and green area for the community, as well as a venue for summer events and concerts. However, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy severely damaged several piers along the Hudson, including this one.
In 2013, philanthropist Barry Diller partnered with the Hudson River Park Trust to restore the pier, reimagining it as a unique public space for New York. They sought to create a new type of immersive experience, blending nature and art. They selected the innovative Heatherwick Studio and MNLA landscape design firm to bring this vision to life. The result is a breathtaking urban oasis, designed for both city dwellers and visitors, named "Little Island."
Costing $260 million, Little Island opened on May 21, 2021, offering 11,000 square meters of beautiful landscapes, unique architecture, public art installations, and a rich program of free educational events and performances, attracting over a million visitors annually.
Location
Located on the southwestern waterfront of Manhattan, Little Island is just a 45-minute drive from JFK International Airport, nestled close to the popular High Line Park. Manhattan’s well-connected public transport system makes getting there easy for both locals and visitors.
Getting There
The Manhattan waterfront is a major tourist destination, and Little Island is easily accessible by car, subway, or bus:
By car: A 45-minute drive from JFK International Airport takes you past iconic sights like the Empire State Building and the High Line. Rideshare and taxis can drop off at 10th Street, with an additional taxi stand at Pier 57 to the north of the park.
Public transport: Visitors can take public transit from the airport, with most routes stopping near 14th Street. New York's extensive subway system makes it easy to transfer to nearby stations. There are also bike-share options for those who prefer cycling (bikes are not permitted inside the park).
Operating Hours & Costs
The park is open year-round, with daily operating hours that vary by season:
September 5 – November 13: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
November 14 – March 12: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
March 13 – September 4: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
The best time to visit is between April and July, when temperatures are pleasant, avoiding the hot and rainy seasons. During this time, the park’s lush spring and summer landscapes are in full bloom, and the outdoor performances are in full swing. As Little Island is an open-air venue, it operates rain or shine, but will close if extreme weather occurs, such as lightning within 10 miles, winds over 32 mph, or snow accumulation.
The park itself is free to the public, though tickets are required for performances in its amphitheater.
Design Team
The design was a collaborative effort between British architecture firm Heatherwick Studio and New York-based landscape architects MNLA. Founded by Thomas Heatherwick, Heatherwick Studio is known for pushing the boundaries of architecture, urban infrastructure, and design. Heatherwick’s global fame stems from works like the UK Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo and the iconic yet controversial "VESSEL" installation in New York City. Little Island, which began in 2013, took eight years to complete.
MNLA, or Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, has been a cornerstone of New York’s landscape architecture scene for over 25 years, with more than 500 completed projects. Known for their eco-conscious designs and people-centered public spaces, MNLA crafted Little Island’s lush landscapes. Arup, an internationally renowned engineering consultancy founded in 1946, ensured structural soundness and engineering expertise for this project.
Design Features
Originally invited to design a public pavilion for a new pier in southwest Manhattan, Heatherwick Studio saw an opportunity to rethink the pier itself, rather than creating just another symbolic structure within Hudson River Park. The team's focus was not on the traditional approach of designing a building, but rather on the overall experience for visitors: the excitement of walking above water, leaving behind the bustling city, and immersing themselves in a green, natural environment. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Central Park, where people often forget they are in one of the most densely populated cities in the United States, the design aimed to evoke a similar feeling of escape.
While traditional piers are typically flat to accommodate docking ships, the design team sought to create a new artificial landscape for Manhattan that would undulate and shape spaces in contrast to the city’s grid of flat streets. The initial design concept envisioned a floating, leaf-like form with curved edges resembling ribs, sheltering visitors from the wind. This concept was inspired by the wooden piles found at the project site, remnants of past piers that once extended from Manhattan's shoreline. These submerged piles have become an important habitat for marine life, serving as a protected breeding ground for fish.
Heatherwick Studio embraced this concept to create a holistic design, rather than a traditional structure made up of a base, columns, and platform. The result is Little Island, a floating park supported by 132 prefabricated concrete columns. Each column is rooted in bedrock approximately 61 meters below the water’s surface, creating an organic structure that seems to grow out of the river. The design harmonizes with the existing marine ecosystem, ensuring that the park coexists with the water's natural habitat over time.
The varying heights of the columns shape the island’s overall contour. Corners of the island are lifted, allowing sunlight to reach the marine habitat below, while other edges are lowered to create sloped lawns, varied observation platforms, and a natural amphitheater for performances. This seamless integration of nature and architecture defines the park’s immersive experience.
To determine the form of these "organic clusters," the design team drew inspiration from nature, including the ice formations around wooden piles during winter. This natural pattern was reinterpreted into a standardized modular design for ease of construction.
These tulip-shaped pots, filled with over 100 species of native trees and plants, promote biodiversity and are resilient to New York’s local climate. Different microclimates and landscape features are designed across the island, providing diverse ecological experiences for visitors.
For the tulip-shaped pots, Heatherwick Studio collaborated closely with local manufacturers to create smooth, tactile concrete structures. The prefabricated units were transported by boat and assembled on-site to minimize disruption to the city. Each "pot" can support between 250 and 350 tons.
MNLA, the landscape architects, selected around 400 species for the project: 35 types of trees, 65 types of shrubs, and 290 species of grasses and vines. The island also features lawns for relaxation and performance viewing, with plenty of space for sunbathing and rest. A 1,790-foot-long (545 meters) scenic walkway weaves through the island, connecting three distinct landscape zones, each with its own observation platform located in the northeast, southwest, and northwest corners.
MNLA chose weathered steel for the island's retaining walls, reflecting the warm tones of the original pier while allowing for shrubs and perennial vegetation to grow through. The steel panels were produced by a local company. The park's 420 steps, divided into seven staircases, are made from black locust wood, sourced locally in New York. Large boulders, collected and processed from New York, add a sense of adventure to the space, creating varied rhythms in the visitor experience. MNLA also designed a comprehensive drainage system for the island, with engineering analysis and support provided by Arup. Arup also helped Heatherwick Studio and MNLA by using 3D modeling to analyze the load-bearing capacity of the pots and calculate wind loads that influenced the landscape design.
In 2022, after winning the public vote for Dezeen’s Landscape Project of the Year, Little Island was praised as "a sanctuary for both New Yorkers and the natural environment, a true urban oasis."
Visitor Experience
Spanning approximately 11,000 square meters, Little Island is located on Manhattan’s southwestern waterfront, between 12th and 14th Streets. The park is entirely suspended above the water, accessible via two bridges on the north and south sides. Its proximity to the popular High Line Park offers visitors a view of the island from afar.
Since the park is built over water, there is no underground parking, nor any designated parking areas nearby. Visitors must park in public garages in the surrounding neighborhoods and walk to the entrance. For those taking taxis, buses, or the subway, drop-off points and stations are all within a five-minute walk.
The entrance is kept simple, retaining the historic pier gate without adding any new buildings or installations. The bridges lead directly into the park without unnecessary decoration. To manage crowd flow and avoid overcrowding, Little Island currently operates on a reservation system. Though entry is free, visitors must have their reservation time checked by staff at the entrance before entering the park.
As you enter Little Island Park, you’re immediately greeted by its iconic cluster of "tulip planters," a striking design where columns seem to rise directly from the water without additional structural elements. This organic form gives the illusion of a naturally grown entity, with variations in height forming an opening used as the entrance. The exterior design is mesmerizing, creating a strong sense of place. From the entrance, you can clearly see the structure of the planters, the texture of the concrete, and the unique scale of the units, enhancing the transition from the cityscape to the park’s interior.
Upon stepping inside, you're met with Zone 4, a large grassy slope designed for relaxation. The area features weathering steel retaining walls, color-coordinated wayfinding signs, and sleek steel railings. Despite the park’s 10,000 square meters being a relatively common size for public spaces, the distinctiveness of Little Island becomes immediately apparent, different from the work of Thomas Heatherwick on other projects like the Maggie’s Leeds Centre.
If this project had originally been a public exhibition center by the pier, the space might have been divided differently, perhaps focusing more on material diversity and energy-efficient technologies to revitalize the spirit of New Yorkers. But instead, Little Island takes its 10,000 square meters and transforms it into something else entirely: a space where the roof and walls are removed, the topography is exaggerated, and the materials blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The park’s organic feel and strategic use of height differences create an immersive experience, offering striking views of the surrounding landscape and the nearby New York skyline.
Unlike a conventional exhibition center, the park feels like a custom live sandbox crafted specifically for its location at Pier 55 in New York.
Three primary gathering spaces exist within the park: Zones 9, 5, and 3. Closest to the entrance, Zone 9 offers a southeast viewing area with a small performance stage, mainly used for music performances. It has a modest seating area and a sloping lawn that provides a comfortable vantage point, with the distant Manhattan Financial District as a backdrop. This spot offers a sense of being both connected to and distant from the city—reminding you that you are still in New York, but also offering a space to momentarily leave it behind.
The materials used here deviate from the cooler tones of metal and concrete, instead embracing warm, wooden tones that create an inviting atmosphere. This warm color palette flows throughout Little Island’s designated "rest and relaxation" zones.
Zone 9 also contains one of the park’s few indoor spaces—a public restroom. The interior design continues with warm tones and organic shapes, including window openings in irregular round forms, evoking the stone-age aesthetics of "The Flintstones." Interestingly, while most of the seating areas throughout the park use warm-toned wood, the stair materials are made of cooler-toned black locust wood, offering a visual contrast while remaining cohesive with the park’s natural aesthetic.
The park’s pathways meander in a linear fashion, guiding visitors through different viewpoints and vistas. The topography is enhanced with stairs and ramps to create distinct micro-landscapes, with strategically placed stones doubling as resting spots or shortcuts, adding an element of playfulness. Accessibility is thoughtfully addressed with ramps that ensure those in wheelchairs or with strollers can navigate the park without hindrance.
Zone 8, a small rest area located mid-hill, offers dual views—one out over the Hudson River, framed by the planter columns, and another inward toward the grassy slope of Zone 4 and the dining area of Zone 3. It’s a restful, scenic spot that highlights both the water and the park’s interior.
Zone 7, located on the southwest side, marks the highest point in the park and offers the best views of both the park itself and the distant Manhattan skyline. It’s one of the park’s most popular spots, with a larger viewing platform free of landscaping or barriers, allowing for unobstructed movement and minimizing crowding.
Following the path from Zone 7, you arrive at the park’s focal point—Zone 5, the Amphitheater, or "The Amph." Positioned on the northwest side, this open-air venue has 687 seats and a stage with the Hudson River as its backdrop. The technical room is located behind the seating area, while other facilities are tucked underneath. Performances here are ticketed, with schedules available on the park’s official website, though free events are also regularly held.
Adjacent to the Amphitheater is Zone 6, a smaller northwest viewing platform. It’s quieter, with a more intimate setting compared to Zone 7, and offers serene views. The layered design of the space, with seating areas and quiet planting arrangements, gives it a secluded, garden-like atmosphere.
Zone 4 serves as the central hub of Little Island, and is also the largest area in terms of spatial footprint. This expansive sloped lawn is designed as a flexible open space for relaxation, picnicking, and casual observation. With no trees or plantings to obstruct views, the area's design relies on subtle changes in topography and landscaping to create a soft, inviting environment that encourages people to linger.
Zone 4 seamlessly connects with the adjacent Zone 3, which serves as both a dining area and a large-scale temporary event space. The contrast between the two areas is striking, with the hardscape of Zone 3 juxtaposed against the soft, undulating lawn of Zone 4. Functionally, the two spaces complement each other: Zone 4 can expand the dining area as a picnic zone, or transform into a natural amphitheater when performances are held in Zone 3.
This thoughtful design balances both aesthetic contrasts and practical functionality, enhancing the visitor experience.
Zone 3, the dining and rest area, serves as a key circulation hub within Little Island’s overall design. It connects the two entry bridges and the pathways leading to various observation points, opening up towards the expansive sloped lawn of Zone 4. The hardscaped surface of Zone 3 features distinct paving patterns that subtly guide the flow of foot traffic. Functionally, this area is equipped with standard amenities such as food trucks and dining tables, but it is also adaptable, capable of transforming into a temporary event space when needed.
The difference in elevation between Zones 3 and 4 creates a natural stage and audience dynamic, where the dining area can seamlessly extend into the lawn for larger gatherings or performances. In practice, I observed that this open space in Zone 3 naturally invites spontaneous performances. Many artists use this area for impromptu dance or performance art, blending with the crowd in a way that dissolves the boundary between performer and audience. The experience feels reminiscent of an outdoor version of "Sleep No More," where the interaction between the performers and the public becomes fluid and immersive.
This flexibility of use, combined with its open layout, makes Zone 3 a dynamic space within the park, facilitating both casual dining and engaging performances.
Zone 10, located on the southern side of the park above Entrance 1, features an elevated platform area that visually resembles a "Tulip Bridge" formed by clusters of tulip-shaped planters surrounding the entrance opening. Due to the site’s natural conditions and elevation changes, the pathways in Zone 10 incorporate the park’s steepest and most winding designs. However, thanks to the thoughtful integration of landscape elements and interactive installations along the way, these sharp turns and switchbacks create a series of engaging spaces. This clever design ensures that visitors don't experience the paths as repetitive or abrupt, but rather as a playful and dynamic journey through the park's topography.
At the vantage point of Zone 10, visitors are treated to sweeping views of much of the park's landscape, as well as an expansive panorama that includes the old pier at the entrance bridge and the Manhattan skyline beyond. From here, you can also observe performances in the Zone 9 stage area and descend via steps to reach both the performance zone and the public restrooms.
The park's second exit, located in Zone 2 at the northern end, connects to the dining plaza in Zone 3. Unlike the dramatic "tulip bridge" at the main entrance, this exit is flush with the bridge, creating a contrast between the two entry points. Where the entrance prioritizes privacy and visual impact, the exit emphasizes a sense of openness and relaxation. Interactive installations are placed along the bridge, where you can enjoy views of the first entrance and pier from the L-shaped platform.
As evening falls, Little Island remains open until midnight, and its nighttime lighting design is particularly noteworthy. The "tulip bridge" pillars are illuminated with warm 3000K LED lighting, creating a sculptural effect that enhances their three-dimensionality and mystique. Instead of flooding the entire surface with light, the design focuses on highlighting key features, with fixtures cleverly hidden beneath the wooden planks of the entrance bridge.
Tall light poles provide bright illumination for the amphitheater, covering the stage, seating, and pathways, while ground lights cast a soft glow on the surrounding trees, enhancing both ambiance and safety. The positioning of these lights is flexible, allowing for adjustments that affect how they highlight the landscape. The interplay between the park’s lighting and the skyline of Manhattan, including the Empire State Building, creates a compelling nighttime scene.
The wooden staircases connecting different areas of the park are subtly lit as well, with integrated LED lights tucked beneath the handrails. The warm glow of 3000K lighting adds a freshness to the landscape, ensuring that plantings look vibrant rather than washed out. Even the public restrooms, which may appear unassuming during the day, come to life at night with hidden lighting fixtures that enhance the space’s atmosphere.
Under the soft glow of the lights, Little Island transforms into a warm and inviting haven.
Project Summary:
While Little Island’s physical scale might seem modest compared to the typical concept of a "park," the actual experience it offers is incredibly rich. Unlike exhibition halls with a similar footprint, this park—an urban green space—fulfills the constant desire for places of respite. This artificial island, in harmony with its local ecosystem, brings Thomas Heatherwick's imaginative design to life, pushing the boundaries of what's possible within the project's constraints. The varied landscapes and the undulating terrain ensure that the park’s atmosphere is always shifting, while its backdrop—Manhattan's skyline and the Statue of Liberty—makes it truly one of a kind.
The park's soul comes alive through localized cultural activities and the bespoke spaces designed for them. Perhaps the only drawback is that, even with entry by reservation, the park can feel crowded. While the thoughtfully designed pathways and terrain differences prevent physical clashes, visual distractions are harder to avoid.
Whether by day or night, Little Island delivers an impressive visitor experience. From a design standpoint, it's a masterful combination of creativity and engineering—a collaboration between architecture, landscape, and engineering teams that has produced an extraordinary outcome. Every city should have its own "Little Island."
Comments