New 80,000-Square-Foot Rooftop Park Opens at Pier 57 for Families to Enjoy

The park offers amazing views of New York City and lots of open green space

By Barbara Russo April 20, 2022

A new rooftop park just opened in Manhattan—and it's a big one!

The 80,000-square-foot spacious park is located at historic Pier 57 in Hudson River Park. It offers amazing views of the city, open green space and is completely free for the public to enjoy.

Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, along with officials from the Hudson River Park Trust and Google, announced the opening of the park at a ribbon cutting ceremony this week.

The sprawling urban park has been 12 years in the making. In 2008, the Hudson River Park Trust put out a request for proposal to renovate the abandoned pier with a business partner. Fast forward to today, and that business partner became none other than Google, which also serves as the anchor tenant at the pier.

The park is part of a larger ongoing renovation project at the pier. It has lots of open space for families to enjoy open air and connect with nature while taking in some magnificent views. Additionally, it will be a screening location for the Tribeca Film Festival this year.

“Access to open green space is essential for healthy and resilient communities, and I’m thrilled New Yorkers will have access to a new two-acre rooftop park at Pier 57,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “This innovative urban park will serve as a refuge for New Yorkers in need of space and open air year round, and I look forward to seeing more green space created across the city as we recover from this pandemic.”

Pier 57 is a public-private partnership. Through a lease with the Hudson River Park Trust, development company RXR invested $410 million to restore the pier, which is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The rent from the pier will also support Hudson River Park’s overall care and operations.

“Hudson River Park is a tremendous example of the extraordinary things that can happen when government, the private sector and local communities work together,” said Hudson River Park Trust President & CEO Noreen Doyle. “Pier by pier, section by section, we are transforming four miles of Manhattan’s shoreline, and spaces like Pier 57 shape not only the waterfront, but also how people see and experience New York City. Today, Pier 57 becomes part of our success story.”

What to Expect at Pier 57's New Rooftop Park

Although much of the pier is still undergoing renovations, the rooftop park provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Amenities include:

Sprawling green space
Areas for the public to sit and relax
Amazing views of New York Harbor and Little Island, another green space that opened in the area last year.
City Winery, based at the pier, offers food and live music
More uses and amenities for the public are slated to open in the fall.

Pier 57 was constructed in 1952 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It originally opened in 1954 as the terminal for Grace Line, and then in 1969, it became the Hudson Pier Depot for the New York City Transit Authority. The depot closed in 2003 and was shuttered until this redevelopment. Hudson River Park has been working with the state and city to reimagine this space as a mixed-use pier with lots of amenities for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy.

What You Need to Know About Visiting Pier 57's Rooftop Park

Where is Pier 57's rooftop located?

The park is located atop Pier 57 in Hudson River Park, Chelsea. It’s on the Hudson River Greenway/11th Avenue and W. 15 Street.

When is Pier 57's Rooftop Park open?

The park is open all year, 7am-10pm, daily.

How much does it cost to visit the park?

It's free!

For more information, visit hudsonriverpark.org or follow Hudson River Park on Facebook or Instagram.

Main image credit: Jakob Dahlin

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New 80,000-Square-Foot Rooftop Park Opens at Pier 57 for Families to Enjoy

What to Expect at Pier 57's New Rooftop Park