One of the things I love most about landscape architecture is the creative ways we can breathe new life into spaces that once served entirely different purposes. Domino Park, located along the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, exemplifies this. A beautifully executed example of adaptive reuse, industrial heritage merges gracefully with contemporary urban life in this park.
Walking through Domino Park (photo taken by Shalae Larsen)
Park History
Opened to the public in June 2018, Domino Park is a 5-acre public space built on the site of the former Domino Sugar Refinery. The refinery operated from 1856 until its closure in 2004, and symbolized New York’s industrial era. The refinery complex once produced more than half of the sugar consumed in the United States. However, after its closure, it sat vacant for years. As a result, it became disconnected from surrounding community and made the waterfront inaccessible.
Designed by James Corner Field Operations, Domino Park celebrates the gritty charm of its industrial past. Original refinery artifacts like syrup tanks, cranes, and machinery have been thoughtfully preserved and integrated as key focal points throughout the landscape. For me, this layering of history with modern design resonates deeply. It reminds visitors of the complex narratives embedded in urban places.
Silos at Domino Park (photo taken by Shalae Larsen)
Layout & Programming
The layout of Domino Park thoughtfully weaves together active and passive spaces. The design weaves traditional urban plaza spaces with a playful and highly interactive playground, dedicated dog areas, and expansive lawns. An adjacent plaza area even transforms into a seasonal ice-skating rink during colder months, underscoring the versatility and adaptability of its design. This rich mix of uses makes Domino Park inviting and inclusive for a diverse urban population.
Domino Park Playground (photo taken by Shalae Larsen)
Materiality & Planting
The masterful use of planting and detailing stands out as one of the most striking design achievements at Domino Park. The gardens are not only visually striking—filled with bold textures and colors shifting through the seasons—but also designed to support local biodiversity and ecological health. The waterfront promenade is carefully layered with pathways, seating, and planters that frame views across the East River to Manhattan, creating moments for quiet reflection amid the energy of city life.
The attention to detail here is remarkable. Materials are chosen for both aesthetic and durability, echoing the industrial heritage in a refined yet authentic way. Additionally, strategic pops of color appear throughout the park. This subtly unifies spaces and offering a cohesive visual identity.
Domino Park (photo taken by Shalae Larsen)
A Case Study for Transforming Industrial Landscapes
Domino Park is a compelling case study for transforming forgotten industrial spaces into thriving public assets through thoughtful landscape architecture. Its success, I believe, lies not only in its beauty but in its genuine connection to the site’s rich history and the vibrant community it serves today. Domino Park offers inspiration and proof that it’s possible to honor the past while creating meaningful spaces for the future.
