Little Island NYC

Explore the indigenous history of the Hudson River waterfront with our History Audio Tour, led by Lenape Ambassador Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk. As an Elder, Activist and Spiritual Advisor, Grandmother Clara shares insights on the Lenape people, the original stewards of this land. The audio tour reveals the Lenape’s sustainable practices, their use of trade routes near today’s Little Island, and their legacy that lives in Manhattan. Listen in to gain a deeper appreciation for the Lenape’s commitment to the land and future generations. 📸: Hudson River Park https://lnkd.in/epeDUyji

At Little Island, we prioritize growth—not only in our gardens but in our people. We’re proud to offer paid professional development for our year-round staff, allowing them to build new skills and explore personal career interests. Our Horticulturist Jamie, for example, has taken courses in Plant Health Care, Urban Garden Design, and Beginning Birding—some of which helped complete their Horticulture Certificate. Jamie’s birding course has helped them track migratory birds in the park, adding depth to their work and contributing valuable data to our records and the upkeep of our landscape design. As Jamie’s supervisor Orrin, Head of Horticulture, shared, “All Horticulture staff at Little Island are encouraged to be curious and to take advantage of professional development opportunities. By taking classes, attending lectures, and participating in training, our staff builds skillsets that benefit our garden and their careers.” Interested in joining us? Learn more about opportunities with our team: https://bit.ly/4fdkO1o 📸: Michael Grimm

Fourteen years ago today, Hurricane Sandy destroyed Pier 54. Today, remnants of that pier live on as an integral part of Little Island’s design. The original piles, still visible at low tide, inspired the park’s unique structure – rising from the water like petals to cradle the park’s greenery. The transformation from a desecrated pier to a vibrant public space is a testament to innovation and resilience. 📸: Michael Grimm

Little Island was recently featured on the Built Podcast, where key voices behind this visionary park—Signe Nielsen (MNLA), Mat Cash (Heatherwick studio), Laura Clement (Executive Director), and Michael Wiggins (Director of Engagement and Strategic Partnerships)—shared their insights. They discussed the creative vision, design challenges, and community impact of building a public park that blends art, nature, and public space. Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/d_5hUpFb

Join us next Friday, October 11th, for special Archtober tours of Little Island! Led by our visionary Landscape Architect Signe Nielsen of MNLA and Architect of Record Fabian Jabro of Standard Architects, this tour will reveal how a plan to revive a pier destroyed by Hurricane Sandy transformed into an award-winning park loved by over 5 million visitors! Learn about the creation of the winding paths, colorful blooms, and the innovative tulip pots that define Little Island’s unique design. No need to RSVP—just meet us under the South Bridge Pot Tunnel at 2:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Our 2024 programming season has officially come to a close, and what a season it’s been! In 2024 Little Island hosted 92 performances featuring 9 world premieres in The Amph, shared 8 weeks of free programming in The Glade and employed over 300 artists. As we look ahead to 2025, we're expanding our team! Visit www.littleisland.org for employment opportunities in our programming and marketing departments.

Our bridge railings are crafted from Jatoba wood, known for its rich color and durability. FSC certified Jatoba wood was chosen to preserve biological diversity and benefit the local communities and workers where it was sourced. The next time you stroll our park, be sure to take a closer look at this sustainable craftsmanship. Photo credit: Sai Surya Chikkandru

The creation of Little Island's iconic Tulip pots was a collaborative process. When MNLA, our landscape architect, needed a tree for shade or view framing, it involved trade-offs, with architect Heatherwick reconfiguring the pots and structural engineer Arup recalculating the weight each pot could hold. This teamwork ensured the perfect balance of design and function. Photo credit: Michael Grimm

We’re thrilled to partner with renowned fashion designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, founder of the luxury menswear brand Bode. After crafting the distinctive suit for our production of Robeson, she now brings her award-winning talent to The Marriage of Figaro, designing all 67 costumes for the show. This marks her first foray into performance design, blending her celebrated storytelling through fashion with the world of opera. It’s a unique partnership that unites high fashion and opera in a bold, creative vision. Read more in Vogue: https://bit.ly/4doVpjP

The Glade was intentionally designed as a tranquil space with a rich botanical atmosphere, where the blooms are predominantly white throughout the year. This serene corner features plants like white echinacea, campanulas, asters, anemones, and roses, alongside trees like Zelkova, crepe myrtle, and a pale pink Yoshino cherry. Even in winter, the bark of these trees add to the area’s beauty, making The Glade a peaceful retreat no matter the season. Photo credit: Michael Grimm