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The reopening of East River Park marks a major milestone of the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project, a $1.45 billion city initiative designed to protect Lower Manhattan from coastal flooding and rising sea levels. But, here’s the best part: Instead of simply building a wall, the city built a beautiful park on top of the protective barrier. The newly reopened areas sit 8-10 feet higher than before, and disguise flood defenses beneath lush lawns, sports courts, and winding walkways.

Colorful basketball courts and beautiful landscaping hide important flood mitigation structures at East River Park.

Highlights of the East River Park Transformation

There’s something for everyone in the refreshed southern section of the park. Families can enjoy six newly surfaced tennis courts, two full-size basketball courts, brand-new barbecue zones, picnic tables, wide open lawns, and even a nature exploration zone designed with curious kids in mind. With more than 600 trees and 21,000 plants already in place—and more coming—the entire park is greener, shadier, and more inviting than ever before.

The redesign was led by world-renowned architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, who envisioned the space as a “park-ipelago”—a series of connected green areas that feel more like a neighborhood oasis than a flood barrier. And it’s not just about looks. The new layout includes ADA-accessible bridges like the Delancey Street span, with more ramps and access points coming soon to make the park easier to enjoy for everyone.

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New landscaping promises a lush, shady, green future for this section of the East River Park.

A Park Built for Play—and Prepared for the Future

While the space is ready for summer fun now, the larger East Side Coastal Resiliency project is still underway and includes updates to a 2.4-mile stretch from Montgomery Street to East 25th Street. That means more revitalized parkland is on the way, along with storm gates, sewer upgrades, and reopened bridges like Corlears Hook—all part of a long-term plan to protect more than 110,000 residents from climate-driven disasters.

Know Before You Go:

You must use the newly renovated Delancey Street span to access this area of the park. While you can access the park from Houston Street entrance, construction in the park prevents access to the new renovation.

Photos by Matthew Lapiska/NYC Department of Design and Construction