A former vehicular ramp has a new life in the shadow of Roosevelt Island's aerial tram. Andrew Haswell Green Park represents a vital piece in the ambitious Manhattan Waterfront Greenway puzzle, turning a utilitarian throughway into an intimate public space on the waterfront.  

It was necessary to transform a piece of infrastructure built for cars into a human-scale public space. Harsh concrete barriers dominated the space and offered little invitation for public use despite its prime location along the East River. 

Our approach focused on opening the space both visually and physically. Steel picket fencing replaces oppressive concrete parapets, revealing sweeping river views previously hidden for decades. A monumental staircase – part transit path, part social space – now cascades toward the water. Its integrated seating blocks offer visitors a moment of pause and contemplation. The design creates a deliberate tension between structure and nature, with dense native plantings softening the park's northern edge while an open lawn stretches along its southern border. 

The project emerged through close collaboration between WXY, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and NYC Parks and demonstrates the power of cross-agency partnerships to elevate public space design. It required careful coordination between landscape architects, structural engineers, and public stakeholders to ensure the space met its infrastructure purpose and new role as a public amenity. 

The park now serves as a crucial link in Manhattan's East River Greenway while providing multiple ways to experience the new public space. Pedestrians can use it as a quick passage, an outdoor lunch spot, or a place for longer contemplation. This demonstrates the possibilities of adapting spaces for pedestrians. And how thoughtful design can serve infrastructure and the desire to connect with nature.