Little Island

Little Island at Pier 55, also known as “Diller Island”, is an artificial island park situated in the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan, New York City. The park is adjacent to Hudson River Park and is found off the end of West 13th Street.

The conception of the park dates back to 2013, when media mogul Barry Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, pledged $113 million towards its construction through their family foundation. The park was designed by the British firm Heatherwick Studio and landscape architecture firm MNLA.

The island park, approximately 2.4 acres in size, is supported by 132 pot-shaped concrete columns that range from 15 to 62 feet in height. These columns are intended to evoke the appearance of a leaf floating on water. The park is home to a diverse range of plant species, with nearly 400 species of shrubs, perennials, vines, and trees planted across the park.

The park features three performance venues, including an amphitheater with a capacity of nearly 700 people. These venues aim to offer a variety of cultural and arts programming, with a strong emphasis on serving the local community. The park’s management and programming are overseen by a non-profit organization, the Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation.

Access to the park is free, although timed-entry reservations may be required during peak times to manage visitor numbers. The park also features a scenic overlook, playground, and picnic area, and it is open from 6:00 am to 1:00 am daily.