Little Island, NYC.

Description

Little Island is located at Pier 55 at Hudson River Park, Hudson River Greenway, NY 10014. Parking must be found on the streets nearby. All features of the park are accessible. There are steps or ramps to all areas. The outdoor concession area has tables and chairs, some of which are covered. Multi-stall restrooms have two, large, accessible stalls, sinks and a baby-changing station. There is an "all gender" restroom as well.

Checklist

Attraction Type:  park
Surface of lot:  na
Distance to venue:  depends on where you park
Transportation to venue offered:  NYC public transportation
Terrain:  hilly
Places to rest:  some benches throughout
Paths and walkways:  paved walkways and paths, with handrails
Doors:  na
Number of floors:  na
Elevators:  na
Ramps:  ramps go to all levels
Steps and staircases:  steps go to all levels
Width of aisles:  aisles in amphitheater are adequate
Places to sit:  some benches throughout, seats in amphitheater if there isn't a performance when you are there
Location of restrooms:  located to your left as you enter the park
Type of restroom:  multi-stall men's and women's restrooms (two accessible stalls and sinks) as well as one accessible "all gender" restroom
Ease of entry and exit:  easy
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  outdoor concession
Friendliness of staff:  the people we spoke with were quite eager to help and very pleasant
Notes:  * parking must be found on the street, or in a lot nearby (we do not have any exact locations)

Read More

Reading an article in the NY Times about the newly opened “Little Island” Park, built atop what used to be Pier 54 in the Hudson River, peaked my interest and made a visit necessary. “The steel archway at the foot of Little Island South Bridge entrance includes remains from the Cunard-White Star Cruise Line building.” (website) If you are interested in the story of this Pier that welcomed the survivors of the Titanic, you can read about it on the website (http://www.littleisland.org">www.littleisland.org).

Since that Sunday was a perfect day weather wise, we followed our usual routine of driving into the city very early, both to avoid traffic and to find a parking spot close to where we want to be. Today was no exception, we breezed in and across lower Manhattan, easily getting a parking space on 13th street, just across the West Side Highway and quite close to the entrance.

Even from across the street, the view was intriguing, to me it looked like pods of flowers rising up. You walk under the structure to enter. The initial view os of a “maze” going up in several directions. There are steps as well as easily accessible paths (although some spots have a somewhat steep incline). We watched someone being pushed in a wheelchair. Upon inquiry I was told by her daughter that it was not difficult at all to push, “In fact,” she said, my mother was able to push the chair herself, most of the way.” The incline and turns provide some incredible views of the Hudson, New Jersey and some of Manhattan. We were able to see the Verezzano Bridge and glimpse the Statue of Liberty from the peak. No matter which way you look, there is something interesting to see.

In the middle of all this, is an amphitheater, which will have concerts, etc.  The last row doesn’t require going down any steps . If you do use the steps, know that there are handrails in the middle of the aisles. The seating has backs. We sat for a bit as a group was setting up for some live music event later in the day. We made our way down to the bottom and then went up the other side to the top once again.

The outdoor concession area offers drinks and snack items. Some of the tables have coverings over them, some do not. This area has brick underfoot. 

Multi-stall restrooms are located in an area to your left as you enter. There are two accessible stalls and wheelchair accessible sinks. There is also a large family restroom with a baby-changing station.

action “All features of the park are accessible, and the Visitor Experience Team is ready to provide guided assistance and supportive materials for navigation whenever needed. All spaces are fully ADA accessible, with handrails and landings for resting.” (website)

Little Island is a new gem in NYC!  We were there early in the day before it became crowded. By the time we left (around 11:00 am.) it was too crowded for my comfort. If you care about crowds, do what we did and go early! If crowds don’t bother you, just go! We don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

As always, we at Destination:Accessible advise you to visit a venue’s website, http://www.littleisland.com">www.littleisland.com, when planning a visit, to “know before you go,”

Location

Nearby