The future of HRPK’s northernmost pier is green and bright, and Park users like you are helping us shape it. Over the past two months, we’ve invited the community to take part in a Pier 97 Design Charrette and an Interactive Design Workshop—and these inspiring, productive conversations have made us more excited than ever for the future of this vital public recreational space.
On November 8, more than 80 community members joined our Pier 97 Design Charrette as Kevin Quinn, HRPK’s SVP of Design & Construction, introduced !melk, the landscape architecture firm selected to design the pier. The conversation they led sparked a lively exchange of ideas, from historical references to sports to sustainability.
At Tuesday’s Pier 97 Interactive Design Workshop, a series of hands-on activities encouraged outside-the-box ideas and practical thinking. Mapping exercises invited participants to consider Pier 97 in the context of its neighborhood and community needs, while a round of big-picture questions challenged attendees to share what they value in outdoor spaces and what would make Pier 97 most personally valuable and memorable.
Both the Charrette and the Design Workshop inspired meaningful community participation and conversation, generating ideas and raising considerations that will help HRPK and !melk design a pier that benefits and delights our community.
Want to join the conversation about the future of Pier 97? It’s not too late! Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with pier97mail@melk-nyc.com. We look forward to a bright, green future for our northernmost pier.