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| Ariel view from the Standard by Michael Grimm |
What can you get these days for $260 million? You can get Little Island, a new public park in Hudson River Park and West 13th Street. The free-admission park opens tomorrow and timed reservations will begin on Friday, May 21.
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| Little Island from the esplanade by Michael Grimm |
Components of the park, nestled among more than 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, include a 687-seat amphitheater (“The Amph”), a central plaza with seating and serving food and beverages (“The Play Ground”), an intimate stage and lawn space (“The Glade”), and dazzling views of the park, New York City, and the Hudson River. Starting in June, Little Island will host independent arts programming, with live performances and cultural events featuring hundreds of local artists and performers.
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| The Amph photograph by Michael Grimm |
Primarily funded by The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Little Island was designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, with landscape design by Signe Nielsen of MNLA.
“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” said Barry Diller.
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| Natalia Paruz performs in the Glade; photograph by Liz Ligon |
The Architecture and Landscape
Designed by Heatherwick Studio, Little Island’s distinct exterior is supported by a structure that is made up of 280 concrete piles, which emerge from in between the leftover wood piles of Pier 54 that were largely preserved to maintain habitats for aquatic life. On top of the piles, 132 concrete “Tulips” make up the structure of the park. Each tulip’s shape is unique and has a different weight load capacity to hold the soil, lawns, overlooks, and trees.
The landscape design was led by Signe Nielsen of MNLA, and provides a visually surprising and inspiring experience as visitors walk across the park. The plantings are varied to provide an environment that changes with the seasons, with flowing trees and shrubs, fall foliage and evergreens. More than 66,000 bulbs and 114 trees have been planted, some of which will grow to 60 feet tall.
“Every time I come to Little Island, I’m struck by the same sense of wonder. This is an environment made to surprise. I wanted New Yorkers to feel delight and excitement around every turn from the moment they set foot here. When you enter from the concrete of the city, you’re immersed in this living, breathing ecosystem full of unexpected corners, hills and overlooks. I can’t wait to see New Yorkers experience this special place for the very first time,” said Signe Nielsen, Principal at MNLA.
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| Violinist XinOu Wei perfoms in The Amph; photograph by Liz Ligon |
The Arts
Beginning in June, Little Island will host a season of programming to foster and support New York City-based artists. The schedule of performances can be found here. The majority of events will be free, and ticketed events will be primarily free or low-cost. There will be performances and educational programming six days a week, with offerings from music, dance, circus, spoken word, and more. Programming ranges from surprise performances with local performers to special events with renowned New York City arts organizations. Some of this season’s signature events will include:
· A concert with the award-winning Broadway Inspirational Voices
· A Pride weekend celebration with Tina Landau and her many Broadway friends
· The New York City live-performance return of American Ballet Theatre
· A revival of a Little Orchestra Society’s fan favorite program Things That Go Bang!
· A weekend of music from the islands curated by the World Music Institute
Four artists-in-residence will perform, curate, and direct a range of work over their three-year residency in collaboration with a team of producers, led by producer Julia Kraus.
· Tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel
· Playwright and award-winning director Tina Landau
· Actor, singer, and music director Michael McElroy
· Acting, musical, and storytelling group, PigPen Theatre Co.
According to the Little Island website, applications for performers to engage in the spring season are closed.
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| MeenMoves performs in The Glade; photograph by Liz Ligon |
The Community
Little Island will offer free educational programming six days a week, including creative workshops for all ages led by Little Island teaching artists, weekly programs from the Children’s Museum of Arts and New Victory Education, a Teen Night with The Door, and a Little Library that visits the park on Fridays in partnership with the Free Black Women’s Library, Women in Comics and Teatro SEA. Little Island has ongoing partnerships with local organizations Greenwich House, Hudson Guild, P.S. 33, The Door, and Westbeth, which include offering free tickets to programming, workshops with teaching artists, and opportunities to collaborate with Artists-in-Residence.
Food and Beverage
Little Island is partnering with Savory Hospitality, which will operate three stalls in The Play Ground, with ample seating and shade. The menu, with items curated for all ages, is responsibly sourced and supports small local businesses representative of all five New York City boroughs. Food and beverages will be sold from 7 to 11 p.m. daily. Beverages include wine, beer, and wine- or beer-based drinks.
Employment
Little Island is hiring custodians, maintenance technicians, and hosts. Information can be viewed at https://littleisland.org/jobs/interested-in-working-in-the-park. Little Island also is hiring experienced seasonal stage technicians and production coordinators to join the Artistic Programming Department and support a variety of multi-disciplinary events and performances. That information can be viewed at https://littleisland.org/jobs/interested-in-working-on-our-stages.
Visiting Little Island
Located within Hudson River Park, Little Island’s main entrance is located at West 13th Street and the Hudson River, at Pier 55. The park will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., with timed reservations required from noon to 8 p.m. All admission is free. Visitors can arrange a time to visit online at www.LittleIsland.org or in person at the park entrance.
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| Photograph by Michael Grimm |
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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's May 2021 calendar.
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