In the 90's, enjoy the sunset from the hudson bank involved jumping over a few fences topped by barbed wire and enter the docks dilapidated nothing safe.
The abandonment of the coastline, after years of industrial use, closed Manhattan to the river, although it seems impossible in the case of an island. But everything changed with the creation of the Hudson River Park and the entity that watches over the boardwalk recovery, in municipal and state coordination.
Chelsea Piers, New York.
Without going any further, this same year New York has added a new park on top of one of its old docks, called Pier 57. The monumental space was built in 1952 as a terminal for the Grace Line ship line and, later, became the garages of the buses of the city until its abandonment almost 50 years later. It is now an elevated park, more than 7,000 square meters, with grass at each end to enjoy the views in exceptional tranquility.
As if winning this small oasis for the city were not enough, at the end of this year the recovery of the wharf will spread inside how Condé Nast Traveler Spain advances Noreen Doyle, President and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust. “The new gastronomic market, the classrooms of environmental Technology, the public hall and the newly opened outdoor park invite the visitor to use and enjoy the pier and the unique and spectacular views it offers”.
Those stunning views include the neighborhood of hudson yards, the World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty and another of the celebrated piers, Little Island, which was made possible by a donation from the family Diller-Von Furstenberg, neighbors of Meatpacking District.
Pier 57, New York.
The wharf is just the latest example of a renewal of the coastline that stretches more than 6 kilometers, from Battery Park, to the World Trade Center, to Pier 97, on 57th Street. Although it may not seem like it, due to its lanky shape, the Hudson River Park is the second largest park in Manhattan, after Central Park, of course.
The first piers to be rescued from oblivion for New Yorkers were in Greenwich Village: Pier 51, Pier 46 and Pier 45, the latter also known as Christopher Street Pier, common meeting point of the community LGBTIQ+ from the neighborhood.
From the beginning, the Hudson River Park Trust was clear that each one had to have its own personality, as Doyle explains. "Before building any new area we want to make sure we create spaces that people will really want use so we spent a lot of time with the neighborhood community and the design team to create unique opportunities.” these conversations they manage to identify common points of interest and address new projects creatively but also sustainable.
Of the catalog of docks that are part of the park, the organization can only commercially exploit a handful and this allows them to be self-financing. This is the case, not only of the second phase of Pier 57, but also of the so-called Chelsea Piers, that house a track to practice golf, a bowling alley and a famous photography studio.
The aircraft carrier Intrepid, at Pier 86, New York.
Above are Pier 83, where the ferries depart from tours that go around the island, and Pier 86, where the aircraft carrier Intrepid rests, converted into a space museum. In addition, the park adds many more activities such as browse the river in a kayak, participate in outdoor sports classes, get on the merry-go-round or practice skating.
The appeal of visiting the Hudson River Park is that it is accessible from many neighborhoods in Manhattan and that, very soon, it will add more green land. spring 2023 is scheduled to open Gansevoort Peninsula right across from the Whitney Museum and with Little Island of neighbor
In its two hectares we can enjoy an urban beach with a gazebo at water level and a field to play ball. And for those same dates we wait for the inauguration of the Pier 97, with slides and a playground with water attractions. The future is bright: an educational and research center called Estuarium and the transformation of Pier 40 and Pier 76.
Pier 97 project, due to open in 2023, New York.
All items are ready for visitors to enjoy a park that can go unnoticed and that has become the best kept secret in town. “International travelers will have the opportunity to learn how New Yorkers enjoy their relax time whether having a picnic, letting the children play at the pumps, walking the dog, getting in shape or having a drink while looking at the river or the sunset", Doyle concludes. And this time without having to jump fences.