Little Island is located within Hudson River Park, just off the western coast of Manhattan in New York City. Designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened to the public in May of 2021, the artificial island serves as a park for residents and visitors alike. The 2.4 acre oasis, built on the remnants of Pier 54, provides opportunities to play, relax, exercise or take in a performance with a beautiful backdrop.
During my first visit, I was inspired by how much was included in a relatively small area. Those interested in playing can scramble on boulders, play musical instruments or spin optical illusion discs.
Winding paths with inclines up to 60+ feet offer a chance to work out and a built-in amphitheater provides a great venue for a musical performance. As a plant person, I was impressed by the landscape which offers year-round interest. I learned this public park includes over 66,000 bulbs and 114 trees.
Little Island’s unique exterior is supported by concrete piles. On top of the piles, 132 concrete “tulips” make up the structure of the park. The original Pier 54 piles remain in the water to provide a habitat for aquatic life.
Access to Little Island is free. The park opens at 6AM and closes at 12AM, so there is no excuse not to visit during your next trip to New York City!