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 here.)
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 Winter 2022.
Chelsea Waterside Dog Run
The new Chelsea Waterside Dog Run will be almost 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 will have 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 will increase the seating capacity for dog owners fivefold — providing more shade and greater comfort. The new dog park will be the first new amenity at Chelsea Waterside to open in Fall 2022 while construction on other areas continues into Winter 2022.
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 Winter 2022 (entire duration of project)
- Overlook anticipated to be closed from November 2021 to Winter 2022
- Dog run is closing January 18 and construction is expected to continue until Fall 2022
- Turf field anticipated to be closed from June 2022 to Winter 2022
- Overall project anticipated to be complete in Winter 2022
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.