New $260M Public Park Opening Along The Hudson In Lower Manhattan

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — A new 2.4 acres public park with breathtaking views of the Hudson River, more than 350 species of flowers, trees, and plants, and a 687-seat amphitheater is opening for the first time on Friday.

Nestled against the water, "Little Island" near 13th Street in Hudson River Park is the creation of mega-mogul Barry Diller. Diller, who is the founder of the Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting, partnered with the Hudson River Park Trust in 2013 to help recreate the Pier 54 and 55 space damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

In the eight years since, Diller, along with his wife and famous designer Diane von Furstenberg, have poured in $260 million to create the island located at the border of Greenwich Village and Chelsea and make it come to life.

“I hope Little Island will serve as a whimsical oasis for everyone who visits, a place to wander around and be happily surprised at every turn, to lounge and graze the landscape, and to be entertained, educated and stimulated by our programming,” Diller said in a news release.

Along with the plant life and amphitheater, the new park boasts a central plaza with seating and food, a playground, a stage, and multiple lawn spaces. Little Island was designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, with the landscape design done by Signe Nielsen.

Heatherwick is also the designer of the Vessel in Hudson Yards.

The park will also serve as the host for live performances and cultural events throughout the summer and into the fall.

“It’s a joy to welcome the public to this newest area of Hudson River Park, and we are forever grateful to Barry Diller and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation for their extraordinary contribution to Hudson River Park and New York City overall,” said Noreen Doyle, acting President of the Hudson River Park Trust, in a news release. “Bringing a project like Little Island to life took vision, tenacity and commitment from countless people – design professionals, government partners, artists, community advocates, local elected officials, Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio and above all, Mr. Diller."

In Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2021 State of the State address, he referred to the opening of the Little Island as a major moment in the arts scene recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in New York City.

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