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Manhattan may be an island, but it’s not exactly known for its pristine beaches. Or any beaches at all, really. (LA still has a leg up on that count.)
That may change in 2022 when Hudson River Park unveils a brand-new 5.5-acre green space at Gansevoort Peninsula. The Hudson River Park Trust revealed the first renderings this week for that planned waterfront addition, and they include a sports field, a picnic space and—you got it—a public beach area with kayak access.
Don’t go cancelling those ferry tickets to the Rockaways any time soon, though. Swimming at the beach won’t exactly be possible thanks to the polluted water of the Hudson River. Still, easy access to the waves will allow for plenty of recreational activities on the rollin’ river. (Seriously, please don’t go swimming there. I'm begging you.)
“The driving inspiration behind this concept is the idea of creating habitat that links back to the estuary and to connect people to the river and local wildlife,” Madelyn Wils, the president and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust, said in a statement. “We look forward to finalizing the design, working with the community, and getting the project underway.”
The design team behind the new addition is James Corner Field Operations which also developed the High Line and Domino Park on the Brooklyn waterfront. We’ll have to wait and see if this new waterfront park gets a stellar taco joint, though.
The site, located at the end of Little West 12th Street in the West Village, is currently a parking lot for the sanitation department. (Talk about a glow up!) It will take about 18 months to construct once the final design is approved.
Image: James Corner Field Operations, Courtesy of the Hudson River Park Trust
Image: James Corner Field Operations, Courtesy of the Hudson River Park Trust
Image: James Corner Field Operations, Courtesy of the Hudson River Park Trust
