WAGNER PARK - SOUTH BATTERY PARK CITY RESILIENCE
BATTERY PARK CITY, NYC
The design and planning of Wagner Park reflect a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that integrates flood risk mitigation, landscape architecture, and architecture that prioritizes views across the landscape to the waterfront, strengthens pedestrian connectivity, and ensures universal access into the surrounding fabric of Lower Manhattan.
The legacy park featured a blend of open lawns, a pavilion, and seasonal gardens, organized to frame views of the Statue of Liberty and take advantage of its prominent location at the southern end of Battery Park City. The future park will be elevated approximately 10 feet above the legacy park elevation to address flood risk, while maintaining sightlines to the harbor and access to the Museum of Jewish Heritage to the north, Battery Place to the east, and Pier A Plaza to the south. Inspired by a commitment to long-term waterfront access and respect for the site’s design legacy, the new design of Wagner Park follows the same organizational principles, spatial experiences, and views by hiding the necessary flood risk reduction infrastructure underneath the elevated park.
The design of the Park targets the Waterfront Alliances Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) certification through innovative and integrated landscape architectural and engineering site planning. WEDG is a rating system and set of guidelines to create resilient, ecological and accessible waterfronts. The project enhances the site’s programmatic and ecological diversity through a range of solutions.
Client:
Collaborators:
Battery Park City Authority
Magnusson Klemencic Associates, SiteWorks, Thomas Phifer and Partners, Tillotson Design Associates, Milhouse Engineering, Nautilus International Development Consulting, Atelier Ten, Arch Street Communications.
Status:
Ongoing Construction- Expected Completion 2026
Photo Credits:
Battery Park City Authority