Welcome back to our six-part blog series exploring some of New York City’s most notable public spaces through the eyes of a Utah Landscape Architect. In our previous posts, we’ve journeyed through the bustling plazas and serene parks that make up the city’s urban fabric. Today, we explore Little Island, a unique addition to the NYC landscape that intertwines innovative design with urban greenery.
Little Island (Photo by Shalae Larsen)
Little Island, a distinctive floating park on the Hudson River, designed by Heatherwick Studio and landscape architects MNLA, opened to the public in May 2021. From an architectural perspective, the park is truly magical, its unique tulip-shaped concrete pilings creating a striking visual presence from both near and far.
Little Island (Photo by Shalae Larsen)
Exploring the space up close, I discovered that the relatively “little” island is extensively subdivided into numerous smaller, intimate spaces. While some might argue this segmentation creates cozy, personalized pockets throughout the island, I found myself craving at least one significant, expansive moment—an area offering clear visual and spatial relief from the intricacy of the surrounding design. Additionally, the overall sense of sequencing and connection between these subdivided spaces felt somewhat lacking, impacting the park’s overall cohesiveness.
Amphitheater space in the park (Photo by Shalae Larsen)
Additionally, the park’s material palette and plant selections felt overly complex, contributing further to the sense of visual clutter and busyness within the confined space. While the complexity and lushness might appeal aesthetically, simplifying certain elements could have improved clarity and provided stronger visual unity.
Little Island (Photo by Shalae Larsen)
Nonetheless, Little Island remains a remarkable addition to New York City’s vibrant network of public spaces. This park illustrates both the opportunities and challenges inherent in creating intricately detailed landscapes within limited urban spaces.
