Little Island NYC: A new park "floats" on the Hudson River
Manhattan debuts a new floating park on the banks of the Hudson River: Little Island NYC opens every day and free admission must be reserved in advance.
Standing on 132 massive concrete tulips supported by pillars on the banks of the Hudson River sits Little Island NYC, a new $260 million floating public park .
This incredible one-hectare floating park, with lots of green spaces and new views of southern Manhattan, appears at 13th Street and stretches for 4 miles along the west shore of Manhattan.
Little Island is open for visitors between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.
"You don't necessarily have to be in the country to have beautiful trees or tree lined pathways, we can have them right here in the middle of the city. New Yorkers sometimes take for granted that we live in the greatest city in the world. This is like our backyard." says a visitor to the park.
Like giant pots installed over the river at different heights, each one of a particular shape and size, the concrete tulips were filled with earth. In them, more than 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs were planted, an amphitheater with a capacity for almost 700 people was installed, another more intimate stage and a large grassy area for sunbathing or having a picnic, as well as a food court.
The park was funded by the foundation of billionaire Barry Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.
The park's landscaper assured that the park will change in each season and that it can be enjoyed both day and night due to strategic lighting.
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The tycoon Diller told a local media that over 20 years he will pay the high maintenance costs of the park, which would be equivalent to about 380 million dollars, the largest gift from a private individual to a public park in the history of the city.
Little Island welcomes New Yorkers and tourists with free tours between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m., but after noon you must make a reservation online. Starting in June, it will host hundreds of free or low-price cultural and educational activities for all ages.
