Manhattan's First Beach Coming To Hudson River Park

WEST VILLAGE, NY — The design firm behind New York City attractions such as the High Line and Brooklyn's new Domino Park has been tapped to create Manhattan's first public beach, according to the organization that oversees Hudson River Park.

The Hudson River Park Trust announced this week that it will tap landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations to redevelop a 5.5-acre park along a strip of land known as the Gansevoort Peninsula on the Hudson River near Little West 12th Street.

"Along Hudson River Park’s four miles, we've been able to showcase some of the best landscape architects in the field," Madelyn Wils, President and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust, said in a statement. "I'm pleased that the exceptional design firm James Corner Field Operations will join the ranks of the talented teams that have helped make Hudson River Park one of the great waterfront parks in the country."

The firm's plan for the site include a beach on the southern side of the Gansevoort Peninsula. Unfortunately, Manhattanites looking to take a dip will still have to leave the island. The beach at the new park will not be for swimming, but will host environmental programs instead, the Hudson River Park Trust announced.

The final design of the Gansevoort Peninsula park will feature feedback from community stakeholders, local elected officials and Manhattan’s Community Board 2. The Hudson River Park Trust plans to hold public workshops with James Corner Field Operations to solicit feedback from neighborhood residents.

"We are thrilled to be selected to work with HRPT and the surrounding community to create a design for Gansevoort Peninsula – an incredible site that will integrate art, nature, and recreation to become a signature gathering place for New Yorkers," Architect James Corner said in a statement.

Construction on the park is expected to begin in 2020 and wrap up by 2022, the Hudson River Park Trust announced. The Gansevoort Peninsula was previously used by the city Department of Sanitation.

Photo by Google Maps street view