Photos: Whimsical new NYC waterfront park floats over Hudson River

From Manhattan’s West Side Highway, the “Little Island” looks like a cluster of giant white flower buds sprouting from the Hudson River. But the 2.4-acre park—conceived and mostly paid for by billionaire Barry Diller through his Diller - von Furstenberg Family Foundation—is actually an undulating platform of grass, trees, and winding pathways mounted on concrete piles where Pier 54 used to be.

Published on: May 22, 2021 7:04 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

A stairway leads to one of the highest points of Little Island, a new Hudson River Park, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in New York. Designed to create an immersive experience combining nature and art, the park is scheduled to open to the public Friday. There are two amphitheaters, a casual outdoor dining space, winding footpaths and stairways leading to multiple views of the city and a playground. (AP)

2/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

The Empire State Building can be seen from a distance from a winding path that leads to a casual outdoor dining area, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Little Island, in New York. Located atop Hudson River piers damaged during Superstorm Sandy, the park features two amphitheaters, a playground, winding paths and staircases, and views of the city from multiple angles. (AP)

3/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

Giant concrete 'tulip pots' that support the new Hudson River park Little Island are shown from the bottom up, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in New York. The park replaces piers damaged by Superstorm Sandy. (AP)

4/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

The Little Island public park on Hudson River Park in Manhattan is seen on May 21, 2021 in New York City. (AFP)

5/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

People wait in line to enter the Little Island public park on Hudson River Park in Manhattan on May 21, 2021 in New York City. The Little Island public park on 13th Street in Hudson River Park opened for the first time to the public on Friday. The features 350 different flowers, trees and shrubs. A 687-seat amphitheater with independent arts programming starting in June. The park also has space for seating for food and beverages from vendors. (AFP)

6/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

The new park Little Island, designed by Barry Diller, sits on the Hudson River in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., May 17, 2021. (REUTERS)

7/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on May 22, 2021 7:04 PM

Workers and staff move about in an outdoor dining area at Little Island, a park along the Hudson River, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in New York, ahead of the park's planned public opening Friday. (AP)