A beautiful spring day provided the perfect opportunity to check out one of New York City's newest attractions -
Little Island.
Opened in 2021 the island sits on the site of Pier 54 which until 1935 was used by the British Cunard-White Star Line for trans-Atlantic ocean voyages. Among the many passengers who arrived at Pier 54 were the survivors of the Titanic.
Like many of the New York piers, it fell into disuse for years and was then reclaimed for various social purposes. But in 2012 the pier was seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy and it was decided to create a new kind of public space.
It is certainly eye-catching.
Two bridges provide access to the island, one to the north and one to the south, but given the island is only just over 2 acres, they aren't very far apart.
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| The North Bridge |
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| The South Bridge |
Walkways and stairs wind their way around well-tended lawns and flowerbeds, making the multi-level island accessible to all.
An amphitheater overlooks the river. Free and low-cost performances are held throughout the summer months giving local artists a chance to showcase their talent. As it faces west I can imagine the evening audiences may also get to see some stunning sunsets.
There's a patio where you can grab a bite and sit in the sun and enjoy the surroundings. The day I visited there was only one food truck in operation but from May 25 there will be more options available. I have to say the toasted cheese sandwich was remarkably good!
The park is so well-designed, even the restrooms have been built into the landscape.
Throughout the park, there are fun objects such as Spinning Discs and Dance Chimes. The latter seems popular with young and old judging from the amount of music being made. And it certainly wasn't just kids enjoying the
spun chairs on the patio.
And this being New York, everywhere you look there are the iconic views:
It's well worth a visit. And it's free. Though in the busy summer months if you visit after 12pm Thursday thru Sunday (and holidays), you need to have a timed ticket for entry unless you have a ticket for a performance.
Mel writes contemporary fiction with a twist of mystery and suspense. Her latest novel in the Detective Rigby series "No Stone Unturned" will be released on May 10, 2022.
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What a unique space for a walk. I can imagine that seeing a performance there would be amazing. Love all the creativity that went into creating the island.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is different. I couldn't imagine what it would be when they were first building it. They have done some amazing work on the west side - basically it used to be one disused pier after another. , now it's almost all recreational space. Right next to this island they're currently working on the pier to the south (you can just see the site in the last photo) - can't wait to see what this one ends up being!
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