Wagner Park Reopens in Battery Park City

Photo Courtesy of BPCA

Wagner Park Provides Dedicated Coastal Flood Protection as part of New York City’s Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project

Meets Gold Standard for Resilient, Ecological, and Accessible Waterfront Design

The Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) reopens Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, a 3.5-acre public park located along the Hudson River in southern Battery Park City, this evening at 7PM with a free, one-night only performance by Pulitzer Prize-nominated, genre-defying artist Taylor Mac. Temporarily closed in March 2023 for construction of the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project, a major part of New York City’s broader effort to defend Lower Manhattan against coastal flooding, the universally-accessible park now returns stronger and more sustainable, with a buried floodwall for neighborhood protection, 63,000-gallon subterranean cistern for rainwater reuse, and a palette of native, salt-resistant plantings in beautiful gardens designed to withstand the test of time.

At the heart of the redesigned Wagner Park is a comprehensive flood risk reduction system. Featuring both passive and deployable measures, the park will provide immediate risk reduction for a 100-year storm – a severe storm with a 1% likelihood of happening in any given year – and will also protect against a 100-year storm in the 2050s based on projected sea level rise, once Battery Park City’s overall resiliency project work is complete in 2031. The park also includes an upgraded stormwater drainage system designed to manage and reuse rainwater efficiently.

Beyond the newly-opened Wagner Park, from the north of the Museum of Jewish Heritage to Greenwich Street in Tribeca, BPCA will begin work later this year on the North/West Battery Park City Resiliency Project (NWBPCR), an interconnected series of fixed flood barrier features and deployable measures to provide flood protection for the balance of Battery Park City and western Tribeca. To better limit areas of residual flooding within the study area, the project also proposes to manage rainwater flooding by incorporating a wet-weather pump station, improved drainage connections, and upgraded tide gates.

Wagner Park: Key Resiliency & Sustainability Features

The new Wagner Park integrates flood protection and sustainable infrastructure to safeguard Battery Park City and Lower Manhattan and is part of the City of New York’s Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project. Key features include:

• Integrated Flood Barrier System: Built into the landscape to protect against storm surges and sea level rise.

• Stormwater Management: Grading and layout direct overland flows into a system that maximizes water capture and reuse.

• Sustainable Materials: Salvaged stone, wood, and trench drains from the original park have been reused in construction.

• Urban Heat Reduction: Paving materials selected to improve the solar reflectance index (SRI) and minimize heat island effects.

• Dark Sky-Compliant Lighting: Energy-efficient, solar-powered lighting enhances nighttime views while reducing glare.

• Ecological Zones: The park includes four planted regional ecosystems – tidal estuary, maritime meadow, maritime forest, and upland woodland.

• Native Plantings: Designed to reduce water use, lower maintenance, and support local biodiversity.

• Efficient Irrigation: Subsurface systems reduce turfgrass water consumption by over 30%.

• Educational Marine Habitat: A new area at the Pier A inlet promotes marine growth, in addition to allowing for environmental education and marine awareness.

The new Wagner Park has also achieved prestigious WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Verification from the Waterfront Alliance. WEDG is a national rating system and gold standard for resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfront design.

Wagner Park: The Pavilion

The new Wagner Park Pavilion, designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, is approached from Battery Place by moving up through two sloped gardens, each ordered by the rhythm of an allée of trees. Visitors can also approach the Pavilion from the waterside esplanade by ascending the accessible ramps and stairs that provide multiple options for access. Arched vaults welcome the public to the entry piazza, serving as the gateway to the park. As visitors pass through the tremendous vault, the expansive green park and harbor come into view, with framed views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The Wagner Park Pavilion will open in phases – with a classroom debuting this fall and a new dining venue launching in 2026. Pursuing International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Zero Carbon Certification, the Pavilion is fully electrified and free of on-site combustion, setting a high bar for sustainable design. The building will also feature public restrooms and a large, publicly-accessible rooftop with stunning harbor views.

Wagner Park: Public Art & Free Public Programming

As it has since inception, Wagner Park will continue to be a vibrant public gathering space, featuring world-class public art and free community programming for residents and visitors of all ages. In addition to hosting temporary artworks, each of which will introduce a new perspective and experience for visitors, Wagner will be the permanent home for three major sculptures. Resonating Bodies, by Tony Cragg, invites visitors to run their hands over monumental and highly textured bronze instruments. Louise Bourgeois’s Eyes look towards the Statue of Liberty, gazing with the public at New York City’s storied past. And the Mother Cabrini Memorial, by Jill Burkee and Giancarlo Biagi, likewise transports visitors to a shared history while being anchored by the sound of the Hudson River’s waves.

As detailed in the Wagner Park Opening Season Program & Event Guide, BPCA is also producing a range of free, diverse public programming to celebrate the park’s reopening, including among the star-studded performer lineup performances by Taylor Mac, Bilal, the Klezmatics, and Flor de Toloache.

First opened in 1997, Wagner Park, operated and maintained by BPCA, has been a beloved destination for locals and visitors, known for its lush lawns and gardens, public art, concerts, cultural events, and stunning views. Named in honor of Robert F. Wagner, Jr., a dedicated public servant and key figure in the development of Battery Park City’s 1979 Master Plan, Wagner Park now embodies his legacy through innovation, resilience, and public service.

About BPCA: Established in 1968, The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State Public Benefit Corporation charged with developing and maintaining a well-balanced, 92-acre community of commercial, residential, retail and open space, including more than 30 acres of public parks, on Manhattan’s Lower West Side. Through execution of its strategic plan, BPCA works daily toward being an inclusive community, a safe and climate resilient place, and a vibrant public space, all while demonstrating leadership for the future with a team dedicated to improving service and project delivery. For more info visit: bpca.ny.gov.