Nestled in this bustling “aquatainment” area that offers attractions for visitors from near and far is the Pier 84 Community Garden.
Situated between the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and the Circle Line, Pier 84 has been a community meeting spot for many years. The landscape complements various activities with both intimate and large gathering areas.
The Pier 84 Community Garden, lovingly maintained by the West 44th Street Block Association and Friends of Pier 84, gives volunteers a chance to nurture their green thumbs while enjoying the health benefits of being outdoors and gardening. Only volunteers are permitted entry to attend to the flora, but anyone can enjoy a stroll around the Community Garden and take in the sites of this bustling pier. If you live in the neighborhood and are interested in volunteering, contact: [email protected]
A Story About Community Partnership
In the early days of planning for Hudson River Park, Pier 84 was intended to be a partially commercial park pier. At the time, local residents were using the then dilapidated pier for a variety of homespun uses, such as the “Manhattan Botanical Garden,” a labyrinth, and the Floating the Apple rowing program that pioneered building and rowing Whitehall gigs – stable boats with 4-6 rowers and a coxswain – in the Park. The Friends of Pier 84, West 44th Street Block Association and Community Board 4 eventually persuaded New York City to allow the pier to be devoted entirely to open space.
The community partners who saved Pier 84 as public open space have continued their commitment to this pier. In 2019, thanks to a collaboration between Hudson River Park Friends and community leadership, a new irrigation system was installed. Prior to this, the lovely Pier 84 Community Garden had only a hose for irrigation, so keeping the garden thriving was a challenge. Working with the West 44th Street Block Association and Friends of Pier 84 leadership, the Hudson River Park Friends sprang to action, securing approvals and raising necessary funds to get the water flowing.
For a listing of blooms in HRPK, view our Bloom Guide.