Little Island Offers New Yorkers an Oasis of Nature and Art
Little Island, a whimsical public park on the Hudson River, opened on May 21st.
Photo courtesy of Michael Grimm
New Yorkers unable to travel to distant islands during the Covid-19 pandemic have instead turned to local islands to satisfy their need for an escape. Car rides to Long Island, ferry rides to Governors Island, and bike rides to Randall’s Island have provided welcome access to green, open spaces. Luckily, New Yorkers now have another island to add to their list of local destinations: Little Island at Pier 55 in Hudson River Park.
Little Island, which opened on May 21st, is a 2.4-acre oasis designed to look like a giant leaf floating on the water. Hovering above the river on 132 tulip-shaped concrete pods and set on piles of different heights, the park features rolling lawns, winding pathways, and lush landscaping. It is home to 35 species of trees, 65 species of shrubs, and over 200 varieties of vines, bulbs, grasses, and perennials. The highest overlook in the park is 62 feet above the water and offers spectacular views of the river and city skyline.
Little Island’s website promises city dwellers “a break from urban life and a connection to spontaneity and joy” in a public space that is “whimsical, captivating, and restorative.” The project was initiated by philanthropist Barry Diller and funded by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation.
In addition to its distinctive design, Little Island is unique because of its focus on the performing arts, according to Visitor Experience Manager Logan Ford. The island has several performance spaces, including The Amph, a 700-seat ampitheater, and The Glade, which features a smaller stage where audience members can lounge on the lawn. There will also be spontaneous, smaller-scale performances throughout the park.
According to Ford, the programming features “an incredibly diverse set of art forms,” including dance, theater, comedy, music, and even some circus acts. The performers will range from famous names to talented artists who are less well-known. Ford is excited to “bring performing arts to New Yorkers in a way that is safe and outdoors,” after a year in which the city has been “starved for live performance” because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Indeed, the pandemic is an ongoing concern for the park’s management. Ford and his colleagues at Little Island are eager to “invite as many people into the park as is responsible” by ensuring that visitors feel safe and comfortable. Precautions will be in place so that visitors can “follow them and also feel supported by them,” Ford said. Park managers will continue to monitor changing guidelines from the city and state as they make decisions about capacity and events.
Ford considers Little Island “a gift to the city” and hopes that it will offer visitors “beautiful moments of surprise and magic.” He also emphasized that the park is meant to serve New Yorkers. “Everyone is welcome, but this is a neighborhood park,” Ford said. “It is crucial to our mission to make sure that we are serving New Yorkers first.”
Similar to the High Line project, another public-private partnership that transformed an abandoned elevated train track into a beautifully landscaped public park, Little Island replaced a decrepit old pier that was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. This project is part of a long-term effort to repurpose the decaying piers along the West Side of Manhattan into usable public spaces. Hudson River Park is now the longest waterfront park in the United States and attracts millions of visitors a year with its variety of recreational offerings.
