Little Island NYC

Join us next Friday, October 11th, for special Archtober tours of Little Island! Led by our visionary Landscape Architect Signe Nielsen of MNLA and Architect of Record Fabian Jabro of Standard Architects, this tour will reveal how a plan to revive a pier destroyed by Hurricane Sandy transformed into an award-winning park loved by over 5 million visitors! Learn about the creation of the winding paths, colorful blooms, and the innovative tulip pots that define Little Island’s unique design. No need to RSVP—just meet us under the South Bridge Pot Tunnel at 2:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

Our bridge railings are crafted from Jatoba wood, known for its rich color and durability. FSC certified Jatoba wood was chosen to preserve biological diversity and benefit the local communities and workers where it was sourced. The next time you stroll our park, be sure to take a closer look at this sustainable craftsmanship. Photo credit: Sai Surya Chikkandru

The creation of Little Island's iconic Tulip pots was a collaborative process. When MNLA, our landscape architect, needed a tree for shade or view framing, it involved trade-offs, with architect Heatherwick reconfiguring the pots and structural engineer Arup recalculating the weight each pot could hold. This teamwork ensured the perfect balance of design and function. Photo credit: Michael Grimm

We’re thrilled to partner with renowned fashion designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla, founder of the luxury menswear brand Bode. After crafting the distinctive suit for our production of Robeson, she now brings her award-winning talent to The Marriage of Figaro, designing all 67 costumes for the show. This marks her first foray into performance design, blending her celebrated storytelling through fashion with the world of opera. It’s a unique partnership that unites high fashion and opera in a bold, creative vision. Read more in Vogue: https://bit.ly/4doVpjP

The Glade was intentionally designed as a tranquil space with a rich botanical atmosphere, where the blooms are predominantly white throughout the year. This serene corner features plants like white echinacea, campanulas, asters, anemones, and roses, alongside trees like Zelkova, crepe myrtle, and a pale pink Yoshino cherry. Even in winter, the bark of these trees add to the area’s beauty, making The Glade a peaceful retreat no matter the season. Photo credit: Michael Grimm

Little Island's Workforce Programs are creating pathways for NYC students by offering hands-on experience, professional development, and career opportunities. These programs, including the Fellowship Program, Usher Corps Program, and Emerging Producers Program, aim to nurture career aspirations and support creative leadership. In a recent Playbill article, Michael Wiggins, Director of Engagement & Strategic Programs, highlights the impact and success of these initiatives, reflecting our commitment to empowering the city’s youth. Discover more about our efforts and success stories in this insightful Playbill article - https://bit.ly/4fxXETR.

We're excited to introduce our four Emerging Producers at Little Island! These dynamic individuals, aged 18-24, are at the heart of our Teen Night program and play a crucial role in curating and developing these vibrant events. Throughout the summer, our Emerging Producers work closely with our Education & Community Relations and Artistic Programming departments, creating arts experiences that foster a safe and brave space for young adults every Friday night. Their work also extends to The Legacy Ball in The Amph, ensuring a diverse and enriching program for all attendees. As part of their role, the Emerging Producers participate in professional development seminars, workshops, and neighborhood excursions that highlight New York City’s public art and public spaces. These experiences help them develop leadership skills, financial capability, and effective communication, preparing them for future success in the arts and beyond. Join us in celebrating their hard work and dedication by stopping by for one of our final Teen Nights in The Glade on August 16, 23 or 30.

We’re excited to bring you Little Island’s first-ever Oyster Market, curated by New Amsterdam Market founder and executive director Robert LaValva! From July 31 to August 4, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., join us for fresh shucked oysters, seafood, desserts, cocktails and light fare. These offerings are prepared by chefs, cooks and purveyors who support regional, seasonal and sustainable food systems. Enjoy delights from The Real Mothershuckers, Oyster Party, Lobster Place, Houseman Restaurant, Cervo's, Downeast Dayboat, Té Company, Chomps Élysées, La Newyorkina, and Pamina Dolci e Gelato while taking in beautiful Hudson River views. The market coincides with The Oyster Radio Hour, a live radio show combining science, story, and song to celebrate the oyster. Union Square Events will continue to serve a menu of American summer classics pus Danny Childs, author of ‘Slow Drinks; and James Beard 2024 Winner, will take over the bar on Friday night serving up summer cocktails. We're thrilled to be featured in this week's "Off the Menu" column in The New York Times! Read more about it here https://nyti.ms/3Su1xQa

We're thrilled to celebrate Stephanie Peña, one of our talented Teaching Artists at Little Island! Stephanie has been awarded a prestigious residency by the @CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) for the 2024–25 cycle. This initiative supports New York City choreographers and dance companies with creative residencies across CUNY campuses, and Stephanie is one of the 24 dynamic artists selected from a competitive pool of 245 applicants. Stephanie brings her passion for dance and music to our park every Thursday at 11AM, facilitating our popular Music and Dance Creative Breaks. Her dedication to fostering creativity and community engagement is truly inspiring. Join us in congratulating Stephanie on this well-deserved achievement! 🎶💃 📸: Lia Chang

We are thrilled to formally introduce Zack Winokur as Little Island’s Producing Artistic Director ! Zack brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to our artistic programming. Recent directing highlights include "Mammoth" featuring Yo-Yo Ma inside Mammoth Cave National Park, "Tristan and Isolde" at the Santa Fe Opera, and "The Black Clown" at Lincoln Center. Zack is also the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the American Modern Opera Company: AMOC* and served as Artistic Director of NYPopsUp, a state initiative to revive the performing arts in NY with over 300 performances. With Zack’s curatorial vision, Little Island is enhancing our commitment to commissioning new work and supporting artists. He and our Executive Director Laura Clement co-lead Little Island with a dedication to connecting visitors with nature and art. Join us in congratulating Zack and stay tuned for more exciting performance news! Read more about Zack in this The New York Times feature: https://nyti.ms/3VdrbZZ