Pier 97 Opens in Hudson River Park

Photo: Hudson River Park

Park’s Northernmost Pier Brings 2.5 Acres of Open Space for Recreation and Lounging to Manhattan’s West Side

Amenities Include a Playground, Sports Field, Lawn and Scenic Overlook Points 

Follows Opening of Gansevoort Peninsula Last Year

The Hudson River Park Trust today celebrated the opening of Pier 97. The approximately $47.5 million project, designed by !melk, includes 2.5 acres of public open space and features a large playground, athletic field, sloping lawn, sunset deck with tables and chairs, walking promenades and flexible gathering space – all surrounded by over 16,000 square feet of flowers and plants. Shaped by extensive community input, planning for the design of Pier 97 began in 2018 and portions of the pier began opening to the public in December 2023. 

Located opposite West 57th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, Pier 97 brings a unique mix of recreational and lounging space for visitors to enjoy. The playground includes a 26-foot-high rope climbing structure and ship’s hull, along with seasonal water spray features. The 120-foot-long synthetic turf field can host a variety of sports and activities, while the 7,600-square-foot sloping sun lawn offers lush green space for relaxing and sculptural structures bring shade to the pier. An all-ages granite slide connects the elevated overlook and shaded belvedere on the pier’s northern edge with the main pier level below. The sunset deck complete with bistro tables, chaise lounges and two-tiered walls with seating, offers stunning views of the Hudson River and skyline. The pier also includes flexible gathering areas surrounded by flowers and plants, and along the southern edge of the pier, there is a walking promenade. 

Construction is nearly complete on a new park building immediately north of Pier 97 that will house public restrooms, a concession, and a small park maintenance area. Solar panels will be installed on the roof and the Trust will issue a competitive Request for Proposals for a food concessionaire. The building is expected to open this winter. The Trust also plans to attract a historic vessel for the berth at the south side of Pier 97.  

The Trust is working with the New York State Department of Transportation to obtain approvals for improvements to the existing bicycle and pedestrian paths between W 57th St. and W 59th St. through a Transportation Alternatives Program grant. Once complete, these improvements will create a seamless link to the Empire State Trail between Hudson River Park and Riverside Park South.

Pier 97’s design was shaped through extensive community engagement. Before the Trust began its competitive procurement process to hire a design team, Manhattan Community Board 4 shared its vision for the pier, emphasizing the need for recreation spaces, particularly an area for ball sports, a playground with water features and flexible space for activities like yoga and sunbathing. As the design process progressed, the Trust and !melk continued incorporating feedback from the community. The final design includes topographic changes that provide commanding views of the river while shielding other locations from wind and noise from the nearby elevated highway and other uses. Plants were selected for their salt tolerance, seasonal variety, and color palate, with a majority being native plants. The playground also sits in close proximity to the public restroom and in the most wind-sheltered portion of the pier to maximize year-round use. 

Construction of Pier 97 was primarily funded by $40.8 million from New York State’s Capital Budget. Supplemental funds included $6.7 million in proceeds from a Transferable Development Right sale completed by the Trust in 2018.

The opening of Pier 97 complements other infrastructure improvements nearby. In 2013, the Trust rebuilt Pier 97’s structural deck, using approximately $16 million in City funding secured through Friends of Hudson River Park — the predecessor to the current Hudson River Park Friends organization. 

Pier 97 was brought to life through the collaboration of renowned designers, architects, and construction experts. Construction management was led by Gilbane Building Company and Invictus Engineering. Construction services were provided by Kelco Construction, A.I.P. Partners, Deborah Bradley Construction, John Civetta and Sons, Verde Electric, Eastern Plumbing, ACS System Associates, and Interphase Electric. The park building is being designed by Toshiko Mori Architect. 

The opening of Pier 97 nearly completes the full build-out of Hudson River Park. Last fall, Gansevoort Peninsula opened as the largest stand-alone recreational space in the Park and features Manhattan’s first public beach. The Pier 26 Science Playground, which opened earlier this year, is a marine-science play area where children can climb, slide, and be inspired by Hudson River sturgeon. Design of the adjacent Estuarium is under way. 

About Hudson River Park Trust

Hudson River Park Trust is a unique partnership between New York State and New York City charged with building and operating Hudson River Park between approximately Chambers Street and West 59th Street along Manhattan’s west side. This free, urban recreational oasis is home to award-winning skate parks, playgrounds, sports fields, gardens and nature exhibits, boating and maritime activities, art installations, and a myriad of year-round events that celebrate the diverse cultures and neighborhoods along its expanse. The Park, which transformed four miles of decaying piers and parking lots into a premier New York City destination for local residents and visitors alike, plays a critical role in protecting the Hudson River ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.hudsonriverpark.org.