Direction New York, where an atypical park, called “Little Island”, has just opened its doors. Overlooking the waters of the Hudson River with pillars shaped like tulips, this man-made island is one of a kind. Presentation.
When flowers invite themselves in the “Big Apple”!
The “Little Island” aerial park, which overlooks the Hudson River, perched on giant concrete tulips, was inaugurated on May 21 in New York City.
This one-hectare artificial island was built alongside the site where the famous Pier 54 had once been built, belonging to the White Star Line shipping company, on which landed in particular the some 719 survivors of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred in 1912.
In New York, “Little Island”, the new park levitating on the Hudson https://t.co/lZNaPOZH6t #AFP pic.twitter.com/Y8QeHRGf0o
– Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) May 24, 2021
“Little Island”, an artificial and aerial island overlooking the Hudson River, in New York
Accessible by two pedestrian bridges between 6 a.m. and 1 a.m., the park is suspended above the water thanks to 182 concrete pillars in the shape of tulips, each weighing 68 tonnes.
These bitumen flowers were not all built at the same height (between 5 and 18 meters high) in order to give relief to this strange island, which will have cost the trifle of 260 million dollars.
The project was largely funded by the foundation run by billionaire Barry Diller and his wife, designer Diane von Furstenberg.
The couple have also agreed to cover the cost of maintaining the fleet for the next 20 years.
In total, the contribution of the Diller couple should amount to around 380 million dollars, unheard of in New York for a private donation devoted to public gardens.
Little Island New York opens today May 21, 2021 it’s so pretty and artistic !!! #NewYork #littleisland pic.twitter.com/cpU9zNABnK
— CnathDreamer ? (@CnathDreamer) May 21, 2021
Flowers of more than 350 species, but also trees have been planted on the site, which also includes an amphitheater with a capacity of 700 places.
It should be noted that the construction of “Little Island” is part of a larger development project for the Hudson River docks.
Called “Hudson River Park”, it intends to revive the sector located between the 57e Street and Battery Park City, an area located in the far south of Manhattan Island.
While waiting for the end of the work, New Yorkers can already take advantage of this little green lung which is a real breath of fresh air for the city, which has paid a heavy price at the height of the health crisis linked to Covid -19.
Photo credit: AFP
Photo credit: AFP
Photo credit: AFP
–
