East Side River Park by BIG: A Climate-Resilient Waterfront Park Transforming New York’s East River

The East Side River Park — a central component of the pioneering East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project — marks a transformative chapter in New York City’s climate-adaptation strategy and public-realm evolution. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA), ONE Architecture & Urbanism, AKRF, and the Lower East Side community, this landmark development reimagines the waterfront as a living shield against climate change while enriching urban life through world-class public spaces.

Spread across approximately 2.25 miles (Montgomery to East 25th Street), the $1.45-billion initiative rises as the first major built portion of BIG’s visionary 2014 “BIG U” masterplan — a continuous, protective green belt wrapping Lower Manhattan. The park introduces a new model for climate infrastructure: elevated, community-driven parkland that resists storm surges and tidal flooding while strengthening ecological and social resilience.

A New Typology: The ‘Parkipelago’

Conceived as a “parkipelago” of interconnected green islands, East Side River Park elevates the waterfront by an average of 8–9 feet to overcome FEMA 100-year floodplain risks. Rather than a monolithic barrier, the design forms terraced, sculptural landscapes that blend seamlessly into the neighborhood, offering accessible, beautifully crafted recreational space.

Key flood-resilient elements include:

• Floodwalls and sliding floodgates
• Bridging berms and elevated parkland
• Protected infrastructure powering Lower Manhattan
• Engineered waterfront edges for surge absorption

This integrated approach not only shields more than 110,000 residents, but also protects schools, libraries, transit networks, and power stations — demonstrating how climate infrastructure can be civic infrastructure.

A Reimagined Urban Waterfront for the Community

The project prioritizes community voices, resulting in an inclusive vision rooted in daily life on the Lower East Side. The redesign introduces:

• 600 new trees + 21,000 shrubs and perennials
• New basketball and tennis courts
• Multi-use turf field, lawns & waterfront esplanade
• Dedicated nature-play and water-play areas
• Restored amphitheater, picnic + BBQ zones
• Two sculptural pedestrian bridges linking across the FDR Drive

Every element supports health, recreation, ecology, and social connection — transforming a once vulnerable waterfront into a dynamic, nature-rich urban retreat.

Solar One Environmental Education Center

Anchoring the northern edge, the new Solar One Environmental Education Center exemplifies the park’s climate-forward purpose. Designed by BIG with NYCEDC and consulting teams, the 6,409-sq-ft facility is:

• NYC’s first solar-powered educational building with integrated battery storage
• Clad in FSC-certified timber
• Engineered with limited concrete and lightweight steel
• Raised 19 ft above sea level for flood resilience
• Wrapped in triple-glazed, bird-friendly glass
• On track for LEED Silver certification

Serving as a power-resilient community hub and STEM educational center, it stands as both a symbol and tool for a climate-adaptive future.

A Blueprint for Global Coastal Resilience

East Side River Park is part of a network of flood-defense projects shaping New York’s future — including BIG’s North/West Battery Park City Resiliency Project — forming a continuous, fortified coastline.

More than a defense strategy, this project defines a new paradigm for waterfront design, where infrastructure inspires, protects, and invites public life.

All photographs are works of Iwan Baan, Foad Sarsangi, NYCDDC/Matthew Lapiska, © BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, Jonathan Morefield, BIG/Jeff Tao