An exciting expansion of Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove Park area is now underway.
The $51 million project will include 2.5 acres of public open space, including the new Park pier, the addition of a comfort station and improved paths for pedestrians and cyclists including better connections to Riverside Park South at 59 St.
Designed by !melk, Pier 97 will feature a playground with water spray features, a synthetic turf field, a sloping sun lawn, sculptural shade structures, an elevated walkway with seating, an “all-ages” slide and a sunset deck complete with bistro tables, chaise lounges and two-tiered walls with seating. The pier will also feature flexible gathering areas surrounded by flowers and plants to provide space for organized or impromptu events. The comfort station being built just north of Pier 97 will include solar panels on the roof along with a food concession, public restrooms and a Park maintenance area. Through a Transportation Enhancement Program grant awarded through the New York State Department of Transportation, a revamped pedestrian and bicycle path will be constructed from W 57 St. to W 59 St., creating a seamless link in the Empire State Trail between Pier 97 and Riverside Park South. Infrastructure for a future historic vessel along the pier is also being constructed.
Funding for the Pier 97 project is primarily from New York State, supplemented by funds from an air rights sale completed by Hudson River Park Trust in 2018. A federal transportation grant will support the planned bikeway and esplanade improvements.
The expansion and redesign of Pier 97 complements other recent infrastructure improvements in the immediate area. The Trust rebuilt Pier 97’s structural deck in 2013, using approximately $16 million in City funding secured through Friends of Hudson River Park — the predecessor to the current Hudson River Park Friends organization. Additionally, the Trust completed the marine construction phase of the new Pier 98–Pier 99 pedestrian platform using air rights funds in 2020.
At its September meeting, the Trust’s Board of Directors authorized several major contracts associated with the Pier 97 Park building. We anticipate completing construction of all Pier 97 building construction contracts in 2023.