Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation unveils “Little Island;” design by Nielsen of MNLA

New York, NY The name of the city’s newest public park, now taking elevated shape in Hudson River Park by West 13^th St., was unveiled as Little Island by The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. 

Upon its expected completion in spring 2021, Little Island will serve as a park, free to the public, comprised of 2.4 acres of green space with approximately 100 species of trees and shrubs. 

Designed to serve as an urban retreat, the park will host arts, educational and community programming, each staged at various points within the site and all throughout the calendar year. Little Island will be one of the latest additions to the four-mile-long Hudson River Park, which runs along the Hudson River from Chambers St. to West 59^th St. 

With landscape architecture by Signe Nielsen of MNLA, the park will have hills, walking paths and lawns, with river views and a curated mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. 

The terrain will be situated 15 ft. above the Hudson River, and more specifically, on 132 individual concrete support structures that emerge from the water below and serve as the foundation for the site. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, these distinct, “tulip-like” structures will allow for the site to sit at assorted topographical elevations, ranging from 15 ft. to 62 ft. In addition to the undulating appearance, the elevations will allow for visitors on Little Island to take in views of the city and skyline.

Little Island will be located at 55 Hudson Greenway, with entrances on 13^th and 14^th Sts., and will be accessible via a newly constructed section of the esplanade in Hudson River Park largely funded by New York State. 

Once inside the park, visitors will be invited to explore the entirety of the site. 

“It’s a joyous feeling to see Little Island rise up in the Hudson River, and now I can’t wait for New Yorkers and its visitors to cross the bridge, leave the boisterous city behind, and play, lay back and be stimulated every which way by the Island,” said Diller.