Hurricane Sandy struck New York City’s coastline in 2012, severely damaging several piers along the Hudson, including Pier 54. In 2013, the Hudson River Park Trust began planning its restoration, eventually transforming it into Little Island, a unique public park with rolling hills built on top a geofoam substructure.

Now the park’s diverse flora supports a rich habitat, featuring trails, lawns, a 687-seat amphitheatre, a smaller stage for 200 visitors, and an open plaza. It offers plant education, performances, various children’s programs, and school partnerships.

Platipus supplied 316 stainless steel Deadman Systems and custom built kits with shouldered eyebolts epoxied before waterproofing. 6-meter anchor legs were cut to thread through the geofoam, securing trees within the sculpted terrain. Contractors field-swaged hard eyes on-site, allowing for customization to fit varying depths.

Securely anchoring trees, ranging from 3” caliper saplings to 40-foot specimens, posed a challenge due to the site’s structural constraints. Platipus provided customized tree anchoring systems to ensure long-term stability while maintaining the park’s design integrity.

Since its completion, Little Island has received numerous awards, including the Dezeen Landscape Project of the Year, ASLA NY Honor Award, and the Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence in Urban Open Space, among others.