Towering green oasis hovering over New York City's skyline, showcases horticultural brilliance courtesy of leading landscape architects
In the heart of New York City, a modern urban oasis has sprung up on the Hudson River. Little Island, a new public park and arts venue, is a testament to innovative design and horticultural ingenuity.
Over a ten-month period starting in March 2020, the park's head of horticulture, Orrin Sheehan, and his team planted over 350 plant species, creating a rich, layered landscape with dynamic seasonal interest and ecological value.
The planting scheme integrates with the rolling hills sculpted atop the park’s unique piers, providing varied topography. Meandering paths and steps link the four quadrants of Little Island, offering immersive natural experiences in the city.
Each quadrant boasts a unique colour palette. For example, the Moon Garden is filled with only white plants, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. In contrast, the Northwest Overlook features rich-red Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and bright-orange Helenium autumnale 'Adios', offering a burst of colour.
The design balances aesthetics, ecological benefits, and visitor engagement. The park's lush landscapes, designed by Signe Nielsen, principal founder of MNLA, support the park's function as both a green refuge and a public arts venue, mediating both ecological and social uses.
The design includes an outdoor amphitheatre, a smaller performance space, a large open plaza, and central lawn. Signe Nielsen, the designer of Little Island, wanted the interplay of plants to evoke the flow of movement between dancers.
The planting scheme in the park is designed to create a unified feel across the four quadrants, despite the variety of microclimates. The 'bloom sweep', a seasonally changing color palette, ties the quadrants visually together and is linked to temperature.
Little Island's planting design is a carefully crafted, highly diverse landscape. It occupies the space left by three of the old Chelsea Piers, one of which was once the main port for the Cunard White Star Line, where the RMS Titanic was headed.
While specific soil strategies or irrigation systems are not detailed, ecological and horticultural expertise was likely applied to support plant health and resilience on the pier structure. The park's lush landscapes, combined with its innovative design, make Little Island a must-visit destination in New York City.
In the colder months, the horticulture team begins with early cutbacks in January and continues with lawn care and plant maintenance in the warmer months. The Southwest Overlook, also known as 'Signe's mountain', is the highest point in Little Island, offering breathtaking views over the Hudson River.
The park's design encourages biodiversity, with a huge selection of native and non-native plants that provide well-considered habitat niches and food sources for wildlife. The design of Little Island is a testament to the power of horticulture and design to transform urban spaces into vibrant, naturalistic havens.
- The horticulture team of Little Island, led by Orrin Sheehan, has carefully planted over 350 plant species, creating a diverse and rich landscape in the heart of New York City.
- Each quadrant of Little Island showcases a unique color palette, with examples like the Moon Garden filled with white plants and the Northwest Overlook featuring vibrant red and orange flowers.
- Signe Nielsen, the designer of Little Island, aimed for the interplay of plants to inspire movement, much like a dance, while balancing aesthetics, ecological benefits, and visitor engagement.
- The innovative design and horticultural ingenuity present on Little Island make it a model of how urban spaces can be transformed into vibrant, naturalistic havens that support both ecological and social uses.
