Rules & FAQ

Founded in 2021, Little Island is an award-winning public park primarily funded by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, located in Hudson River Park. In 2013, Barry Diller, in partnership with Hudson River Park Trust leadership, embarked on the unique opportunity to envision a solution for the repair and reactivation of Pier 54, which had been badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The park was designed as an entirely new type of public space for New York, one that would create an immersive experience with nature and art. Born from a collaboration of the UK-based Heatherwick Studio and the New York-based landscape architecture firm MNLA, led by Signe Nielsen, the park’s imaginative design offers all New Yorkers and visitors a public space that is whimsical, captivating and restorative. 

Little Island is located at Pier 55, between 13th and 14th Street in Hudson River Park.

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Little Island opens at 6:00 am, 365 days a year unless weather conditions dictate otherwise. Our current hours are:

• January 1 – March 7: 6 AM – 9 PM
• March 8 – May 24: 6 AM – 11 PM
• May 25 – September 7: 6 AM – 12 AM
• September 8 – October 31: 6 AM – 11 PM
• November 1 – December 31: 6 AM – 9 PM

No, Little Island does not have any dedicated parking areas. The nearest public paid parking garage is MPG Manhattan Parking located at 450 West 17th St between 9th and 10th Avenues. 

Little Island opened on May 21, 2021. The park was conceived in 2013 and construction began in 2016. 

Little Island sits between the remnants of Pier 54 and Pier 56, the first ports in New York City. In the early 1900s, they were operated by the British Cunard-White Star line where commercial cruises departed and returned, including the voyage that safely returned survivors of the Titanic disaster, and the departure of the RMS Lusitania. From the 1970s to the early 80s, the piers became a safe space for New York City’s growing LGBTQ community to gather. The steel archway at Little Island’s South Bridge entrance remains from the Cunard-White Star building. To discover more about Little Island’s history, click here, or immerse yourself in the history of the iconic Meatpacking District and Hudson River waterfront by listening to Little Island’s History Audio Tour: The Story of Our Pier and Neighborhood Narrated by Tony Award Winner André De Shields.

The structural design was created by the UK-based Heatherwick Studio, and the landscape design was created by Signe Nielsen, founding principal of MNLA. 

Little Island is an initiative of The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation (DVFFF), whose considerable philanthropic history extends to several other New York City parks and arts organizations including The Shed, Signature Theatre, Carnegie Hall Society, and the Central Park Conservancy. The foundation was an early and ongoing supporter of The High Line and Diane von Furstenberg led the fundraising effort for the new Statue of Liberty Museum and the continued beautification of Liberty Island. The Diller – von Furstenberg family has been committed to strengthening the communities of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District for many decades and have directly contributed to the long-term development and economic impact of the neighborhood. The creation and operation of Little Island continues this tradition. 

Little Island opens at 6:00 am, 365 days a year unless weather conditions dictate otherwise. Our current hours are:

• January 1 – March 7: 6 AM – 9 PM
• March 8 – May 24: 6 AM – 11 PM
• May 25 – September 7: 6 AM – 12 AM
• September 8 – October 31: 6 AM – 11 PM
• November 1 – December 31: 6 AM – 9 PM

Yes, the park is free and open to the public. The only activity that requires a paid ticket to attend are all performances in The Amph.

Only working dogs assisting patrons with disabilities are permitted. Please note the ADA does not include emotional support animals as working service animals. Little Island’s horticulture team works hard to maintain our garden beds and lawns that can be soiled by pet waste and activities. We’re a small park with a lot of visitors, and plenty of plants and flowers that need preservation.

Little Island is open rain or shine. From time to time, the entire park will close for extreme weather. For everyone’s safety, visitors will be asked to evacuate the park during these times.

The main lawns operate on a rotating schedule from mid-May to September, accessible Wednesday through Sunday. The Glade lawn is available Wednesday through Sunday during performances and food and beverage activations. Lawns are closed for maintenance every Monday and Tuesday (excluding holidays) and may also be closed due to precipitation or extreme heat.

Yes. Our entire park is ADA compliant. Our Visitor Experience staff are also equipped to support access needs to ensure that all guests have the most enjoyable park experience possible. All programs, performances, and activities are designed with accessibility needs in mind. ASL and audio description will be provided for select performances throughout the season. To learn more about our accessibility offerings visit our accessibility page.

Yes. Our restrooms, including an ADA accessible all-gender restroom, are located near The Glade just past the South Bridge entrance to the park. We encourage patrons to use any restroom that best aligns with their gender.

Families can enjoy a wide range of activities designed for kids of all ages. Year round, everyone can also enjoy making music with our dance chimes, engage with our interactive displays, and climb boulder scrambles throughout the park.

Yes. If you think you have left something in the park, please contact us here. Describe the item, date, and where in the park you think you lost it (The Amph, The Play Ground, an Overlook, etc.)

No. Bikes are not permitted on Little Island. You may park your bike at nearby bike stands located just north and south of Little Island on the Hudson River Park esplanade.

For the safety of all visitors, riding on scooters and skateboards, roller skating/blading, sledding, skiing, or snowshoeing is not allowed in the park. You may carry them in the park.

Yes, strollers are welcome in the park, but not in The Amph. We do not offer stroller parking for performances in The Amph, so do plan ahead if you are planning to bring small children to a show.

Of course! But our park is small, and our pathways are very active, please stay alert and safe while enjoying a run. We recommend running in the early mornings or late evenings when the park does not have as many visitors.

We do not offer guided tours at this time. You can listen to our Landscape Audio Tour, narrated by Little Island’s landscape architect Signe Nielsen and learn more about our landscape, or check out our History Audio Tour, narrated by Tony Award Winner André De Shields and immerse yourself in the history of the iconic Meatpacking District and Hudson River waterfront. 

No, there is no public wi-fi in the park.

No. Smoking is prohibited in all New York parks, even though it may be legal to smoke elsewhere in public. As such, no smoking of any kind is permitted at Little Island, including cigarettes, marijuana, vaping, or use of e-cigarettes.

Some of our neighbors include The Whitney Museum of American Art, The High Line, Chelsea Market, City Winery, Pier 57, and Pier 53 – Gansevoort Peninsula.

Anyone is welcome to take photos and videos in the park, provided it does not create an unsafe condition or make exclusive use of any area. Commercial photography and film shoots are not permitted. 

Photographers and broadcast crews from accredited news outlets are welcome to cover Little Island events, subject to approval by the Little Island communications team. 

For full details, please review our Film and Photo Guidelines here. For press inquiries, please contact us here. 

Little Island is a public park and as such is not available for private events. 

Food and beverages are available at food carts throughout the park and at food kiosks in The Play Ground from April through October. Little Island offers a thoughtfully curated selection of snacks and drinks from local makers, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. Refillable water stations are located throughout the park. 

Yes. You are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy on the lawns or at tables in The Play Ground. Outside alcohol is not permitted. 

Little Island announces its summer performance season each spring. Program details are shared on our calendar, via our email list and on our social media channels. To be the first to hear about upcoming performances, we encourage visitors to sign up for our mailing list and follow along on social. 

Little Island’s events and performances take place in our two venues, The Amph or The Glade.

Since opening in 2021, Little Island has presented performances across dance, music, theater, opera and more, featuring a wide range of artists and creative voices. 

Through our Community Ticketing Program, we partner with local organizations to distribute free performance tickets to organizations and families throughout NYC, ensuring that a broad diversity of New Yorkers have access to Little Island’s ticketed events. Current Community Ticketing partners include the Department of Youth and Community Development, Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club and the Fulton Houses.

If you are interested in learning more about our Community Ticketing Program, please email community@littleisland.org.