Chelsea Waterside Park is being renewed! The construction contracts for the Chelsea Waterside Park Phase II work were approved by the Trust Board in July 2021. Since then, the contracts have been executed and in October 2021, the contractors have started work in the central area of the Park.
The new design created by Abel Bainnson Butz Landscape Architects and CDR Design Studio Architects includes a permanent picnic area, a new public restroom facility, an expanded and refreshed synthetic turf field, a small concession stand and an expanded dog run with separate areas for small and large dogs as well as dog fountains. Overall, more plants and green spaces will be added, and the amount of paving will be reduced.
The Park and building were designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Highlights include solar power panels on the roof of the comfort station, efficient water fixtures, low energy LED sports field lighting, storm water detention and all native plantings. In addition, the design features salvaging high quality materials from the original park and integrating them into the new park. For example, granite once used for seating will be repurposed to form the exterior finish of the new public restroom. (Learn more about the Park’s sustainability initiatives.)
Constructing the new and improved amenities will require closures of various Park areas at times, including the dog run and ballfield. The timing and extent of closures are being coordinated to keep as much of the Park open at a time as possible, and to minimize the closure durations. The playground and basketball court will generally remain open throughout.
Construction is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2023.
Chelsea Waterside Dog Run
Opened in November 2022, the new Chelsea Waterside Dog Run is nearly 3,000 square feet larger than the current dog run, measuring 7,400 square feet as opposed to the current 3,500 square feet in total. It has separate areas for large dogs and small dogs and features innovative canine-friendly water spray jets as well as mounds and boulders. New tiered seating and benches increase the seating capacity for dog owners fivefold and provide more shade and greater comfort.
Overall Timeline
Note: These construction dates are subject to change due to inclement weather, supply chain issues and more. Please visit our alerts page for the latest information regarding necessary closures and schedule updates, and take note of our detour signs when posted.
- Center of park area anticipated to be closed from October 8, 2021 to Spring 2023 (entire duration of project)
- The previous overlook area has been leveled and incorporated into the expanded turf field, which opened to play on March 27, 2023.
- The new, expanded and improved Dog Run opened on November 21, 2022.
- Overall project anticipated to be complete in Spring 2023.
Chelsea Waterside Park was originally built by the NYS Department of Transportation prior to the Hudson River Park’s existence. In addition to the upgrades listed above, the Hudson River Park Trust has already completed several enhancements, including a comprehensive reconstruction project of the Chelsea Waterside Playground with a custom-designed, multi-colored, 64-foot wooden slide in the shape of a Pipefish, one of many fish species that lives within Park waters. The slide was designed and built by a Denmark-based playground design company, and is the first of their themed playground structures to be installed in the northeastern U.S. The playground also includes multiple water features and reclaimed objects from the waterfront’s storied past.
Significant funding for this project has been provided through City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, with additional support from Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.