Concept
2,200 acres of natural habitats, activities and circulation routes will comprise the new Fresh Kills Park, a model of public engagement and adaptive reuse that transforms how we experience vast, reclaimed landscapes in the city. The design goal of the Draft Master Plan is to create a framework for development at Fresh Kills over the next thirty years. This will:
- Create a world-class, large scale park
- Restore ecological systems and cultivate a sustainable landscape
- Create extraordinary settings for a range of activities and programs that are unique to the city
- Honor the events of September 11, and the recovery effort that took place at Fresh Kills, in a dignified and unique way
- Build a limited system of ecologically sensitive park roadways to optimize local and regional access to the park and reduce local traffic congestion
Site Plan |
The Draft Master Plan is based on the theme of "lifescape, a new parkland for New York City." The Plan is composed of three layers: program, habitat and circulation. A diversity of cultural, athletic and educational programming has been suggested for the site; an ecological restoration of the site composed of reclaimed and newly created wetlands, grasslands and woodlands will offer wildlife habitat as well as natural open spaces for park visitors; and finally, a park roadway, as well as a series of foot, bicycle and equestrian paths will circulate throughout the site.
Program
Fresh Kills Parkland will be a world-class park with an incredible variety of public spaces and facilities for social, cultural and physical activity, for learning and play. The site is large enough to support many sports and programs that are unusual in the city.
| * sports fields |
* canoeing |
* cycling |
* nature trails |
| * community events |
* education |
* extreme sports |
* public art |
| * mountain biking |
* horse back riding |
* birding |
*outdoor dining |
Programming Under Consideration |
Habitat
Fresh Kills Parkland will support richly diverse habitats for wildlife, birds and plant communities, as well as extraordinary natural settings for recreation. Through ecological innovation and creative design, new plant communities will thrive and restore the site.
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* salt marsh |
* native prairies |
* maritime oak forest |
* birch thickets |
| * oak/beech woodland |
* swamp forest |
* pine/oak barrens |
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Habitat Restoration |
Circulation
Park drives, enhanced access to and from the West Shore Expressway and an expansive network of paths and recreational waterways will create a layered framework for an animated, interconnected parkland. People will move from place to place, and experience the site differently each time, by canoe, on horseback, on mountain bike, on foot, or by car.
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* 7 miles of park drives |
* bikeways |
* pathways |
* running trails |
| * horseback riding trails |
* recreational boating |
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Park Drive |
Hiking Path |
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