Why did NYC Build a Park in the Middle of a River
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Date: 2025-12-12
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Comments and reviews: 20
uigrad
I just don't understand the hate for billionaires making green spaces. These people became wealthy by finding gaps in our economy and provided jobs for people to fill those gaps (media in the case of this billionaire. We are all appreciative of the things we consume from those companies and for the jobs that they provide. It takes a lot of risk to fund such a venture, and many, many entrepreneurs fail. This is why the rewards for the few successes tend to be so high.
So, when someone is successful, and they find they have more money than they can spend in their lifetime, what should they do with it Confiscating it is not an option. That just scares away future entrepreneurs, and my experience is the people who do the confiscation never use the money the way that I think they should. If this highly successful man wants more greenspaces, and is willing to put his money forward, I see this as the best possible outcome.
I honestly think that opposition comes from the worst segment of our society. These are people who don't actually want to help the common good. They pretend to, but are honestly just jealous of the billionaires, and their class warfare does nothing to help the common good. It really does the opposite.
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I just don't understand the hate for billionaires making green spaces. These people became wealthy by finding gaps in our economy and provided jobs for people to fill those gaps (media in the case of this billionaire. We are all appreciative of the things we consume from those companies and for the jobs that they provide. It takes a lot of risk to fund such a venture, and many, many entrepreneurs fail. This is why the rewards for the few successes tend to be so high.
So, when someone is successful, and they find they have more money than they can spend in their lifetime, what should they do with it Confiscating it is not an option. That just scares away future entrepreneurs, and my experience is the people who do the confiscation never use the money the way that I think they should. If this highly successful man wants more greenspaces, and is willing to put his money forward, I see this as the best possible outcome.
I honestly think that opposition comes from the worst segment of our society. These are people who don't actually want to help the common good. They pretend to, but are honestly just jealous of the billionaires, and their class warfare does nothing to help the common good. It really does the opposite.
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RoastBeef84
I live in New York, and this place is just so pointless. I went to it twice, once by myself, and once with my brother who was in town for work. I don’t find it attractive (the tulips) and it’s small and you’re just like, So what. It’s crowded, and I have never had reason or desire to go back. If you want a real great Island park to visit, Governors Island is leagues ahead of Little Island. I’ve made so many repeat visits to Governors Island, I love going there. Places to have a picnic, lie in the grass, hammocks to lie in, hills with winding paths that climb the hills, as well as the same kind of shortcuts to scramble up to the tops for views of New York Harbor. The island also has historic structures, you can rent bicycles, and there are benches to sit on and watch the harbor traffic.
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I live in New York, and this place is just so pointless. I went to it twice, once by myself, and once with my brother who was in town for work. I don’t find it attractive (the tulips) and it’s small and you’re just like, So what. It’s crowded, and I have never had reason or desire to go back. If you want a real great Island park to visit, Governors Island is leagues ahead of Little Island. I’ve made so many repeat visits to Governors Island, I love going there. Places to have a picnic, lie in the grass, hammocks to lie in, hills with winding paths that climb the hills, as well as the same kind of shortcuts to scramble up to the tops for views of New York Harbor. The island also has historic structures, you can rent bicycles, and there are benches to sit on and watch the harbor traffic.
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letslanaway
Just a few thoughts. 1) The carbon emissions from building all that concrete in those pylons will take the 150 trees on little island around 13, 000 years to offset. 2) The $260, 000, 000 price tag could have given NYC's existing parks millions of dollars extra each, but instead it was spent on a single park in one of the city's wealthiest zip code. 3) The real estate holdings of Barry Diller in the area adjacent to Little Island are expected to rise by tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars as a result of this tax-free 'donation'.
At the end of the day, he can do what he wants with his money, but IMO there's far better places the money could have been spent.
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Just a few thoughts. 1) The carbon emissions from building all that concrete in those pylons will take the 150 trees on little island around 13, 000 years to offset. 2) The $260, 000, 000 price tag could have given NYC's existing parks millions of dollars extra each, but instead it was spent on a single park in one of the city's wealthiest zip code. 3) The real estate holdings of Barry Diller in the area adjacent to Little Island are expected to rise by tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars as a result of this tax-free 'donation'.
At the end of the day, he can do what he wants with his money, but IMO there's far better places the money could have been spent.
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BariNapach
It's amazing that it was built considering all the extra cost and time involved, and it's construction on water with no Neighbors, imagine trying to build something like that in a city, the lawsuits will never end.
All those people and lawyers suck up billions but nobody seems to mind for some reason. I think it is valuable to have a project review, but the benefit has to justify the cost.
Plus, it raises suspicions that there's always some kind of lawsuit in New York every time they try to build something.
These groups never look at a project and say, Yeah, it works or That's fine.
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It's amazing that it was built considering all the extra cost and time involved, and it's construction on water with no Neighbors, imagine trying to build something like that in a city, the lawsuits will never end.
All those people and lawyers suck up billions but nobody seems to mind for some reason. I think it is valuable to have a project review, but the benefit has to justify the cost.
Plus, it raises suspicions that there's always some kind of lawsuit in New York every time they try to build something.
These groups never look at a project and say, Yeah, it works or That's fine.
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PSNDonutDude
I am dying to visit the states again. Canada for a long time was ahead of the curve on urbanism while the US fell behind on car culture. But now it's seemingly switched in some areas in the US, with parks, bicycle lanes and transit infrastructure that makes Canada's look sad. The odd thing is that Canadians are more supportive of transit and urbanism overall compared to the states, but our political systems have changed in the last 20-30 years giving suburbanites immense power over our urban areas. Once DT is out of office, I'm hoping to visit the states and check out things like this!
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I am dying to visit the states again. Canada for a long time was ahead of the curve on urbanism while the US fell behind on car culture. But now it's seemingly switched in some areas in the US, with parks, bicycle lanes and transit infrastructure that makes Canada's look sad. The odd thing is that Canadians are more supportive of transit and urbanism overall compared to the states, but our political systems have changed in the last 20-30 years giving suburbanites immense power over our urban areas. Once DT is out of office, I'm hoping to visit the states and check out things like this!
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katana2k
Some beautiful new public space for content creators. Really cool concrete tulips for content creators to take selfies in front of. little paths where a content creator could stage an intimate moment with their followers. Scenic vistas and open space for content creators to use as a backdrop for their photos and videos. Just enough natural elements to create a vibe, but not so much nature as to force the content creators into specific footwear or attire. This is a clear victory for the content creating community
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Some beautiful new public space for content creators. Really cool concrete tulips for content creators to take selfies in front of. little paths where a content creator could stage an intimate moment with their followers. Scenic vistas and open space for content creators to use as a backdrop for their photos and videos. Just enough natural elements to create a vibe, but not so much nature as to force the content creators into specific footwear or attire. This is a clear victory for the content creating community
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Ninten007
I had no idea this existed when I visited Manhattan and highline this year. I saw it from above and was so intrigued we had to check it out. It turned into a highlight of the trip. And I’ll also shoutout the bathroom.
Great video, and great final recap. Totally agree with more public input, but glad this worked out right. Can’t complain when the rich use money for actual good, and frustrated how this highlights the permitting and environmental review process is often highjacked for the wrong reason.
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I had no idea this existed when I visited Manhattan and highline this year. I saw it from above and was so intrigued we had to check it out. It turned into a highlight of the trip. And I’ll also shoutout the bathroom.
Great video, and great final recap. Totally agree with more public input, but glad this worked out right. Can’t complain when the rich use money for actual good, and frustrated how this highlights the permitting and environmental review process is often highjacked for the wrong reason.
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Cliporado
I think it’s a great idea, if not incredibly over budgeted. There are many waterfront cities in the US, that are kind of derelict with decline of old days shipping, warehouses (distribution networks. They’re either abandoned or half populated. It’s a good way to keep foot traffic up, and small businesses pop up to serve them
Ofc as I say this, some rich person or company will go wow, great idea and give us 10 years to enjoy nice parks before it goes to hell
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I think it’s a great idea, if not incredibly over budgeted. There are many waterfront cities in the US, that are kind of derelict with decline of old days shipping, warehouses (distribution networks. They’re either abandoned or half populated. It’s a good way to keep foot traffic up, and small businesses pop up to serve them
Ofc as I say this, some rich person or company will go wow, great idea and give us 10 years to enjoy nice parks before it goes to hell
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Eggmancan
This is a good example of why it's so hard to build anything in the US. Everyone wants a say in the matter, and if they aren't given a say, they sue, leading to expensive, years-long delays. And we lionize it as democracy when it's really just petty dysfunction lol. We need better systems and rules that make sure good things get built for the community without letting petty people throw expensive logjams into the process.
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This is a good example of why it's so hard to build anything in the US. Everyone wants a say in the matter, and if they aren't given a say, they sue, leading to expensive, years-long delays. And we lionize it as democracy when it's really just petty dysfunction lol. We need better systems and rules that make sure good things get built for the community without letting petty people throw expensive logjams into the process.
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ClarkBK67
In defense of private funding over public, conservatory models, like the Central Park one, insulate the park from charging winds of politics. Central Park’s enjoyed 45 years of more or less consistent funding. When its funding was subject to government, its fortunes rose and fell dramatically depending on who was mayor or governor. Some politicians hate the idea of publicly funded amenities like parks and libraries.
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In defense of private funding over public, conservatory models, like the Central Park one, insulate the park from charging winds of politics. Central Park’s enjoyed 45 years of more or less consistent funding. When its funding was subject to government, its fortunes rose and fell dramatically depending on who was mayor or governor. Some politicians hate the idea of publicly funded amenities like parks and libraries.
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billy__66__brown
The best part about Little Island is the concrete tulips, seeing them from outside of the island. The park itself is fairly forgettable. As a local I recommend budget some time to visit Pier 57 which is the pier directly north. There’s a rooftop park where you can eat food from the food hall below and enjoy the view of the island.
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The best part about Little Island is the concrete tulips, seeing them from outside of the island. The park itself is fairly forgettable. As a local I recommend budget some time to visit Pier 57 which is the pier directly north. There’s a rooftop park where you can eat food from the food hall below and enjoy the view of the island.
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tealblackwhiteteal
so appreciate this video; i run a nonprofit that programs and manages a tiny public plaza in downtown portland, maine, and the nuanced spectrum of privateness-publicness in public spaces is always on my mind. also, this prompted me to check out their website and events -- pretty incredible stuff!
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so appreciate this video; i run a nonprofit that programs and manages a tiny public plaza in downtown portland, maine, and the nuanced spectrum of privateness-publicness in public spaces is always on my mind. also, this prompted me to check out their website and events -- pretty incredible stuff!
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yuriydee
I wish billionaires would spend again for the greater good, instead of hoarding all the money and using it for lobbying and buying politicians. The park is really nice and I also visited it this past summer for first time despite living in NYC area. We need more of these public places everywhere!
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I wish billionaires would spend again for the greater good, instead of hoarding all the money and using it for lobbying and buying politicians. The park is really nice and I also visited it this past summer for first time despite living in NYC area. We need more of these public places everywhere!
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rashad123us
This was merely a tax write-off in a neighborhood that doesn't need another amenity. The East River promenade in East Harlem hasn't been renovated in over 40 years and is literally falling into the river, it might as well be in another country but these two parks are in the same borough.
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This was merely a tax write-off in a neighborhood that doesn't need another amenity. The East River promenade in East Harlem hasn't been renovated in over 40 years and is literally falling into the river, it might as well be in another country but these two parks are in the same borough.
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daprovocateur
TBH it’s frustrating that anyone would oppose something so wonderful as a playful, open space like this. Too many voices makes things bland, delayed and expensive. Think of all the other nice things we could have is there weren’t so many obstacles to getting them done.
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TBH it’s frustrating that anyone would oppose something so wonderful as a playful, open space like this. Too many voices makes things bland, delayed and expensive. Think of all the other nice things we could have is there weren’t so many obstacles to getting them done.
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LuckieWarrior
If more billionaires spent money on parks, libraries, nature preserves, museums, and science research the world would be a much much better place but instead they need social media companies, pretend to be good at video games, do martial arts, and go to space. dwebs
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If more billionaires spent money on parks, libraries, nature preserves, museums, and science research the world would be a much much better place but instead they need social media companies, pretend to be good at video games, do martial arts, and go to space. dwebs
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Jack-fw4mw
I have noticed that NYC (at least Manhattan) does an absolutely abysmal job of building playgrounds for children. I think this is a really big part of the reason the island is losing many child inhabitants; parents look around and notice there aren't spaces for kids.
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I have noticed that NYC (at least Manhattan) does an absolutely abysmal job of building playgrounds for children. I think this is a really big part of the reason the island is losing many child inhabitants; parents look around and notice there aren't spaces for kids.
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themanyouwanttobe
While I think it's great that someone donated a ton of money for this park, it's really sad that it requires a person with an obscene amount of wealth being generous for nice public spaces to be made. Clearly, taxes aren't high enough for that wealth bracket.
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While I think it's great that someone donated a ton of money for this park, it's really sad that it requires a person with an obscene amount of wealth being generous for nice public spaces to be made. Clearly, taxes aren't high enough for that wealth bracket.
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scorpion3128
Little Island is such a fun little place. Dense with point of interests to the point it felt like a real life video game level. It's a perfect encapsulation of things that humans enjoy in their environment. Places to sit, great views, verticality, etc.
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Little Island is such a fun little place. Dense with point of interests to the point it felt like a real life video game level. It's a perfect encapsulation of things that humans enjoy in their environment. Places to sit, great views, verticality, etc.
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SwiftySanders
I live in NYC and I love going by Little Island. It's a nice place to visit and have a sit and chat out in the open. Everything doesn't need to have some specific purpose other than be a space for people to hang out with each other for free.
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I live in NYC and I love going by Little Island. It's a nice place to visit and have a sit and chat out in the open. Everything doesn't need to have some specific purpose other than be a space for people to hang out with each other for free.
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