Why New York's "Little Island" FAILED

In Episode 1, we're diving into the controversy surrounding Little Island, the newest addition to New York City's arsenal of public parks. With its futuristic design and lofty ambitions, as well as a slew of controversy, Little Island promised to be a monolith for the Chelsea neighborhood and revolutionize public space. But does it deliver?
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[@DrydenAdams]

Shit ain’t leather

[@Starburns69]

That’s 170 and Edward L grant in the Bronx 😂😂😂 right next to my crib and to this day the video pops in my head every time I pass it💀

[@smosmo4617]

Best part of video , this guy just complaining.

[@richardglass3182]

I lived in this neighborhood the first 17 years of my life. The Pier 54 I grew up with was a flat slab of asphalt, maybe 500 x 80 feet. And I LOVED it. It was where I taught my little brother to ride a bike. It was where I could throw a football with friends. It was special to have SPACE to actually recreate in, which is a rarity in the city. I find Little Island ...okay. I believe you're mistaken about the stairs, all paths are ramps and the stairs are shortcuts. And eating from a tourist trap park vendor is on you. As far as an actual playground goes, there's a fantastically designed one on Pier 51 just south of there. Saying Little Island's entrance is underwhelming and needs better connection to the High Line is an insanely tourist take. Little Island is in Hudson River Park, which New Yorkers actually use. It's well integrated into pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

[@arxvphoto809]

This! Thank you. People come to NYC for 5 minutes and think they have an understanding of how the city moves around. Been here for 15 years and little island along with other improvements along the riverside is a huge and welcomed improvement to what was there before: nothing.

[@mannyislikethat]

Totally agree with this. Especially the last part. I pass Little Island every weekend I go biking on the Hudson River Greenway. Everything is quite literally seamlessly integrated. The Lincoln Hwy/West St, the median, the Greenway, and then the pedestrian walkway, and then the ramp right there leading up. The title is extremely misleading considering Little Island is heavily visited, especially during the summer. I just feel like a a person not living in NYC shouldn’t be making videos about “failed” nyc tourist spots.

[@BenChurchill76]

@@mannyislikethat Yeah, I was hoping for some insight into why he thought it "failed", then got to the part where he said he just visited as a tourist...so...uh, yeah.

[@SnowCoveredKK]

Thank you. It is so bizarre when a tourist thinks they understand a city they aren’t from. It’s WILD.

[@BKLNHobo]

Thank you for saying it. I live in NYC and finally got around to visiting and couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. It was concrete and lots of stairs, with some greenery thrown in. It looks better from a distance.

[@markherbert1978]

I gave myself two black eyes from all the face palming this video led me to. 1. The entrance to the park is at 13th St. which is in Greenwich Village not Chelsea. 2. NYC is expensive. Why does everyone who visits and post a “review” have to point that out? 3. You were there in the middle of a workday, of course the park was full of tourists!!! The locals go on the weekends, and the evenings. 4. The “playground” is a euphemism. The city generally builds playgrounds in smaller neighborhood parks. Why? Because, that’s where the children live! 5. There isn’t a lot of shade because…. The park is new and the greenery hasn’t matured yet! 6. The entrance seems awkward if you’ve never walked around Manhattan before. Manhattan is a system of compromise and shared spaces. As someone who lived in Chelsea before the Highline and before Little Island I can tell you is a huge f@cking upgrade.

[@pineapplesoda]

Thank you for your rebuttal. The park is nice and beloved of locals. It's a great addition, especially in the context of the other new developments on the Hudson.

[@DanielAlvarez-fb7jk]

People can’t be happy these days with anything. Roasting the park because it was funded by a billionaire, if it was funded by the city it would’ve still gotten crap

[@ShaheenGhiassy]

I live in West Village. That park is in Chelsea. You could say it’s in Meat Packing District, but it’s certainly not Greenwich Village

[@markherbert1978]

@@ShaheenGhiassy I’ll split the difference and say Meat Packing district. It’s South of 14th that’s definitely not Chelsea

[@Carmine.Falcone]

LOL what a snobbish comment. Typical of New Yorkers. 1. OOhhh he got the name of the neighborhood slightly off capitol offense. 2. People who are talking about cities always mention whether it's expensive or not, and that information is useful for people who want to learn about that city or venue. 3. Whether or not there are lots of tourists in a certain spot is another perfectly normal thing to point out in a review or commentary of any space particularly in a tourist destination city like NY. Three exclamation points for some reason!!! 4. Using the word 'playground' to describe a green area on a map of a park is misleading for obvious reasons that you are cleaarly aware of. Any large park without a playground or child-designated area is going to get called out period, particularly one that touts such a cumbersome production cost and/or inordinate government spending. 5. This may be true, but still another perfectly normal criticism for any park; I'm pretty sure he points out in the video that the space is still new and may change, but people who are considering a visit don't need an assessment of what the shade will potentially be like in a few years after the trees are more matured. 6. MaNhAtTaN iS a SyStEm of CoMpRoMisE aNd duuuude we get it- you're so cool because you're a New Yorker and all the outsider plebs just don't know how to shuffle around correctly if we were more cultured and sophisticated modern walkers we would understand how to navigate the awkward park entrance.

[@julianfoy9888]

Quality edit, I’ve lived in nyc for 5 years and never felt the need to check it out, seemed like a billionaires vanity project with no soul, not surprising that it wasn’t designed with people in mind, but too look good as a model to show financiers who need their egos stroked.

[@City.Slicker]

All just to increase property values on a failed development. Shame that the money couldn't have gone to better use.

[@PerfectRodo]

I grew up in the city and hate it. It’s like entering a dystopian ant farm with a magnifying lense focusing the sun directly on you - no shade, no water, and a long line to even get a Diet Coke. My extended family who grew up elsewhere love it and keep wanting to meet up there. It’s such a shlep to be trapped on a pier with no amenities. Blech. Edited to add I’m a curmudgeon who hates the island but love your new channel. Keep up the great work!!!

[@City.Slicker]

@@PerfectRodo Thank you so much! That's funny because my mom really likes the island as well hahaha.

[@zacharygordon6014]

you formed an opinion based off some salty youtuber rather than going yourself? sick.

[@danielb3293]

I visited it as a lifetime resident for 20+ years and I went just because I was bored and already by the high line so I checked it out and my girlfriend and I both felt like we wasted our time

[@Elkcib]

Little Island is pretty cool and it’s free. So no complaints about it. Really enjoyed walking through it. Will definitely be back again.

[@jaxongustafson486]

Had no idea this was your first video until you said it, great job!

[@m.showers1242]

uh, its a park in the concrete world of NYC!. Very simple threshold of success - grass and open space! Both of which are a premium within the city. I visit often and enjoy its simple offering in conjunction with the Highline. In my opinion, let the "rich money" flow toward public projects like this. With due respect to your opinion - expectations are a bit too high.

[@Erik_Thorsvik]

I like the way that you told the story, a blend of comedy, fact and critique.

[@daviddawes293]

Bro.. seriously I’m getting tired of people hating on this park. I’m a 45 year New Yorker and when I visited it I loved it.. y’all expect perfection when it’s a really good addition to the New York experience. Stop hating.. appreciate..

[@tortylla6988]

Comments are not passing the vibe check at all. This park is an amazing amenity and we’re lucky to have more green space in that section of the greenway. While I agree with some points, this park does more good than bad so I personally think it’s a success! It definitely could use some planters or foliage to line its bridges and create an “entrances”.

[@tiffanyi5645]

I don’t think it sucks, it just need to mature a bit more. It needs more local vendors selling food and wares, it needs to add shaded awnings on the entry pathway or tree planters along the edge. They need more water fountains for sure! And definitely add an actual play space for children! Finally it’s underutilized: Street performers, up and coming comics, poets, rappers, singers needs to make use of those amphitheaters. In a few years it’ll be another great spot to visit in NYC

[@urospetrovic8753]

It’s ass for the cost bozo

[@yablainc]

if you live any anywhere near it,s a nice spot to jog thru, walk thru... esp in a quiet morning. and out of town visitors seem to really seem to enjoy it, and why not? it has a very nice restroom. i mean sure... critique it, but jeebus it aint that bad. also the rooftop park on the top of the pier next door is very nice place to play, exercise, etc sure it,s not a traditional park, not every single park has to be traditional. if you walk a few blocks north hudson r park has beautiful lawns, shade trees, a free skate park that is world class, public seating. on the other hand if you can shame or cajole the billionaires to support beautiful clean parks on less wealthy areas... i hope you can! i certainly did not need this thing when i lived in the area. if it was my choice i totally agree if $300 m had been spent on spaces less wealthy areas it would have benefitted the city way more. these guys have MORE money, maybe we (you!!) can cajole them to do both?

[@johnreynolds5407]

Excellent observations and commentary. "Little Island" (an insipid name) is an overwrought and contrived ornament built for vanity. The amphitheater should have been oriented south affording backdrop views of lower Manhattan, far more visually interesting than the New Jersey Hudson coastline and avoiding crowds facing a setting sun. More broadly, the money spent on it would've been better spent on upkeep or improvement of existing parks.

[@City.Slicker]

That is a great point! I found it odd that the focal point of the project is the Jersey coast rather than the lower manhattan skyline.

[@cweaver4080]

I went as a tourist last year and it was a highlight for me. And lots of others, apparently, because it was busy. The park isnt much on its own but it enhances the area. Lots of people walking dogs, jogging, biking, picnicking, up and down the river.

[@arxvphoto809]

POV: you’re a tourist in NYC and think you know what’s best for NYCDOT, Parks Dept, tourism, and DEP.

[@LeeMubai33]

Do you think the park as it is, is what's best for NYC?

[@arxvphoto809]

@@LeeMubai33 yes.

[@DOOMTREADER11]

Totally agree with most of your points (though could have used a few less meme soundbites), but I have to say, the landscaping on the island is really well done in my opinion, doing a great job of hiding the crowd even when it's fairly dense, which is pretty cool in a city as busy as NYC. Although you could have talked more about how little island being built was a handshake deal for the developer to get more waterfront permits from the city. Definitely think you missed out not visiting pier 53's park roof deck next door, it's a much more open space, and has great views of the waterfront 4-5 stories up. PS, The neighborhood is the Meatpacking District, the Chelsea line is a few blocks north.

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for the feedback! I wish I had caught those things during my research.

[@Robert-z5p]

A Karen yelled at me to tell me the grass isn’t open

[@Willieman1030]

he got his money up AND his funny up 🤯 no mess

[@superlynx98]

I thought it was a cool place to visit for a bit when I went in February, wonder what the free events are like now that it's summer. I agree that the money could have been spent better though

[@jgg59]

Yes, you have access to the little island from Chelsea, but it’s part of the West Village not Chelsea just nitpicking. I guess you can understand that.

[@Moonflowers11]

I thought that was the meet packing district.

[@ArthurBrooklyn]

Exactly right by the meat packing…you’re right

[@andrewmichaels5725]

Great content brother. You are off to a good start. As someone who visits the park often, the main drawback is the lack of a playground. I can't visit there with my son, and when I shared my frustration with some local residents I was surprised to hear some of their responses and I quote" there are so many playgrounds in the neighborhood, why bring your kids here?" What the he'll was that? Isn't a park supposed to be a place you take your families and kids to?

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for your comment! I know mentioned it several times in the video but the fact that they call the central plaza "The Playground" and there isn't an actual playground anywhere on the island is ridiculous😆

[@MK-hh1vo]

As a native NYer, I agree with the locals: why bring your child to a child-unfriendly park when there are so many parks with playgrounds? There are some parks that are nothing but playgrounds! Not every public space needs to accommodate children. I also agree that the decision to call that stretch a "playground" was tone deaf.

[@corriemayo2715]

Where did you get the idea that all parks are supposed to have child play areas???? Not all parks are active and meant to have playgrounds or sporting areas. Some are just to sit, observe, take in the surroundings and/or contemplate.

[@markherbert1978]

It’s perfectly ok to build a park meant to be enjoyed by adults.

[@mannyislikethat]

It’s a park the leans more towards the green space category of parks. If you wanna take your child to a park with a play set and more space, I believe farther down the numbers go are a few of them.

[@ac.f.525]

Oh hell yeah, a new creator with amazing content. Noting I was here before homie blows past 500k in a few months

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks! I sure hope so.

[@kennyadvocat]

As soon as they announced little island I was against it. 260 million was donated to make it which is nice. But that money could have been used to repair all the current parks that need to be cleaned up and have loads of locals that use them. 300 million woulda went a long way. Very nice video btw. Just subbed! =)

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@ttopero]

Pretty damn good execution & story for the first video! I appreciate the first person perspective about your experience in it & AROUND the area including access & amenities.

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for your support!

[@hahapopi2928]

Unironically well edited man inshallah you make it huge 🙏🙏🙏🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰

[@transideo]

first video? solid. subscribed.

[@City.Slicker]

Glad you enjoyed my first vid! Thanks for the sub! More videos like this coming soon.

[@michaelcharley8384]

NYC is desperately in need of better bang of the buck, of which IMHO this video illustrates. A few hundred yards north of "Little Island" is the "Superpier", which it is not. Visit the rooftop park of said pier and you will find mostly sterility. Had there been better design, planning and financial acumen applied to these 2 mind-boggling boondoggles some money and "programming" could have supported something in a lower income neighborhood.

[@thepointsnorth]

I was excited for this and went right after it opened and you still had to schedule a time to visit and they limited the capacity. My gf really wanted to like it, but found it felt like any other small park once you’re on it. Now I’d suggest to anyone visiting NYC the best way to enjoy the Little Island is get some great food at Pier 57 food hall just a little up the riverfront and get a table with a view of the island- it does look amazing from the side.

[@tinycheemsdog7005]

I thought it was really cool. It looks like something out of Mario or Zelda.

[@CandidateCoach]

What are you complaining about? This park is fantastic! I watched your video to see if you had any valid points, and nope! NYC is expensive, dude. Bring your own lunch and enjoy the views!

[@Ozziemints]

Views?? What views??😆😆

[@rashad123us]

They should’ve built a real park for real New Yorkers. Queens and Brooklyn are lacking any real green spaces. Even improving what currently exists would be welcomed.

[@aqua2poweros699]

It’s really Brooklyn. Queens has plenty.

[@antonioreconquistador]

Forest park pretty much all of jamaica bay shirley chisholm flushing meadows (kinda... Too much parking) cunningham greenwood cemetery... Brooklyn is too overdeveloped though

[@TheCurlPapi]

Prospect park, mccarren park, fort green park, highland park, Marsha p. Johnson state park, owls head park, marine park, sunset park, cobble hill park, Herbert von king park, liberty state park, Betsy head park, marine park salt marsh nature trail, Brooklyn bridge park, Canarsie park. These are just to name a few in Brooklyn.

[@Lv-nq9qz]

​@@TheCurlPapi Brooklyn and Queens also have giant beaches, whereas Manhattan does not.

[@WulfenF0x]

The problem has nothing to do with any particular detail about the park, the problem is spending large amounts of money on the city in frivolous ways when there are a lot of things that the city could've financially benefited from instead. The city is an impoverished hellscape where going outside means risking a homeless person spitting in your mouth, but this pretty park is supposed to hide all our problems? All I see is big money, spent on something for tourists (not native NYers), but everything else in this city is still trash (rent, taxes, MTA, etc.)

[@agthaog1986]

as a NYer i can concur. Most of us dont even really know about this place. only reason i knew of it was because me and my friend just so happen to be around the area while they were constructing it ( mind you were almost never in that area what so ever). i remember even back then sayign to myself " where is the shade". i think we all can agree the money coulda went to something better

[@jessicasoule8683]

Great video! Review of maggie daley park in chicago coming next?

[@MrMountainchris]

I agree it needs a better, more welcoming entrance. Perhaps in the future, the High Line could be extended to connect Little Island across the highway. And yeah, doing this while cutting parks funding is gross. I'm for any green spaces in NYC.

[@echoselman6764]

Went here on shrooms. It made my shroom trip boring lol.

[@City.Slicker]

I could've replaced the whole video with this one sentence 😂

[@RAREFORMDESIGNS]

You make yourself boring.

[@prodwebster]

City slicker 🏙️💯

[@FRADAVE02]

The only thig this "park" will accomplish is to raise property values for the newly rich neighborhood, which I suppose was it's reason for being!

[@MichaelJayification]

Native New York City guy here, born and raised, 🙋🏽‍♂️ I'm sure that it's intention was for the little island to be utilized in a wholesome way. I still haven't visited the island myself. I didn't care for it like any other New Yorker. 😩🤷🏽‍♂️

[@collegeri]

It’s hideous. Was there not appointed board of architects, designers, and urban planners to approve something of quality?

[@Helux1957]

I grew up in that neighborhood and think that Little Island and the High Line are both more for tourists, than New Yorkers. And it's also annoying that these projects are placed in what is already a privileged neighborhood. How about funding a mega project in a place that actually needs one? Plenty of neighborhoods in Manhattan (and other boroughs) need recreational spaces.

[@dannygonzalez6548]

Wow, 1st video?! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I'm subscribing. Love the hater un you like I love the hater in me. The difference is you put in the WORK to not only provide, information, observations, opinions, counterarguments and a solid conclusion. So the hate was tastefully dished and I'm here for this. Keep it up. Much luck from current Jersey City resident, where so much has changed in the last 10-12 years since I moved here. I have similar thoughts about the way money has been thrown around here and similar counterarguements. Perhaps a topic for a future video for you. Cheers!

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for the sub! I appreciate it. Check out my latest vid if you haven't already, there's some info about Jersey City in there.

[@MehOnCommenting]

Algorithm nation ✌️

[@City.Slicker]

Glad you found me!

[@Lycox15]

I live here and didn't even know that thing existed. The fact that it's out of the way and doesn't off anything unique means I'm probably never going. It's like the statue of liberty. You're more likely to find a random person in another country who's been inside, rather than a native New Yorker.

[@Moonflowers11]

Please don't call the West Side Highway an expressway. It's West St. or the West Side Highway. I now have less desire to go to this park because I have bad knees and the stairs are too much. Thank you for making this video. My son's building was in this video a couple of times. That was fun to see!

[@gridley]

Something about the concrete uprights, which look like gigantic golf tees, isn't attractive to me. Not sure if a more naturalistic design would have been better. Maybe it would have been at least easier, more charming, possibly even less costly. But NYC in general is what it is.

[@DerekPretlowIII]

Most New Yorker don't go to things like that 😂

[@guapapod1302]

The Little Island IS IN a Huge Park - It’s called Hudson River Park. Little Island is not a place to go for a picnic. Go in, Check out the Beautiful Views, watch a show when available, use the Clean Bathrooms, Hop on the patio piano by the entrance, walk around and Get Out. Then go enjoy the Actual Park which includes and actual playground lots of grass areas, shade, and you can even see ducks and geese. Oh, they also have special projects designated to protect marine life. There’s lots to do, eat, drink and see all around the area.

[@newyorka7]

Great critique! You should do the rail park in Philly next!

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks! And great suggestion. I was thinking of doing a video about graffiti pier in Philly! It was gonna be the next vid but I didn't wanna do 2 piers in a row LOL.

[@newyorka7]

@@City.Slicker that’s also a great spot! While you’re at it, check out the dead fleet, and central green!

[@rafaelbanda1525]

Yes, Little Island is far from perfect, and there is little shade from the blazing sun on a sunny day, but NYC desperately needs open places like this; this is an amenity in itself here, so this is far from being a failure.

[@L-M-O-1]

As a New Yorker, I've never felt I had a compelling reason to go there. Even when you had to reserve a time slot to visit & someone would want me to go, I'd always ask why. It doesn't look appealing at all.

[@colinmetz8778]

Keep these videos up!

[@scottwooledge6387]

Good job on your first video. Liked and subscribed. I think your critique is valid - if you look at the Little Island in isolation. It does sit, however, the middle of the 550 acre Hudson River Park. And HRP does provide all the things LI lacks; ball fields, tennis courts, dog runs, children’s playgrounds, shade. For what it is, a charming events space for the community, I think it succeeds. And it is the only outdoor amphitheater in the area. And the views are nice and also unique to the area, as a public amenity.

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for the sub! and great point

[@patrickfitzpatrick-vj1hc]

I live here and the park is magnificent and very popular. Pearls before swine. This dude is just nit-picking and probably wouldn’t like Central Park either.

[@jgoy10]

I think u live in the park homeless

[@patrickfitzpatrick-vj1hc]

I think you’ve never been here and everything you think you know about this truly great city is bullcrap from Fox News and the internet.

[@lirrtrainwreck]

I don’t live in the city, but I work there so here’s my thoughts, this is 1 million times better than what was there 10 years ago. At least they’re not charging for something and it’s a beautiful place to visit even if it’s crowded with tourism especially on the weekends. The lack of trash cans I’ll probably try to get people to carry out what they brought in kind of like a hiking or biking trail. I feel like people always find something to complain about no matter how much money or time they put into something.

[@harveyschwartz6789]

Am a fan of the park though I have never been there, don't live in n.y. but was impressed by Barry Dillers generosity and the additional open space. Improvements could be made that you mention including maybe a canopy over the entry walkway or plantings there, additional water fountains and waste baskets but I think the space fits in with what that rich neighborhood wants.

[@thinhnguyenduc3154]

Uhm, I went last week. The park is an amazing urban park. Lots of trees and very lush. No idea when this video was taken.

[@FerdinandCesarano]

This video is a series of bad takes, such as when this goofball mistakes the Hudson River Greenway for a "Manhattan expressway" while calling for greenway access.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

I also think as the trees grow out it will become more interesting.

[@cak813]

There are several touristy things on the West Side that are a mess imho. Little Island is just dopey looking, the High Line is over-rated and boring, and the Vessel… why did they even bother? I guess I’m just jaded about NYC. I’m a lifelong New Yorker. I don’t venture into the city anymore unless I have to.

[@madamedelite]

Pier 54 was not where the Titanic was suppose to dock. It is actually pier 59 where the White Star line had its docks, where its sister ships did. When the Little Island was originally propose to the community, they community was afraid Pier 54 rusted entrance would be demolished. Its famous because it is the dock the Carpathia brought the survivors of the Titanic...that said I went there once a few summers ago and was also disappointed by the lack of seating, no access to the lawn and all the stairs. It was brutally hot with no real shade. And its true the West End Highway which goes max 35 (thought I've gone probably 40 on occasions) is a pain the butt to cross to access the Chelsea Market and the Highline.

[@ikroot]

If you consider the context in which Little Island is situated, the conclusion might be very different. The Hudson River Park which surrounds it has sports fields, playgrounds, food and beverage spots, and even a sand beach located very close to Little Island. Sure, it's a hot spot for tourists. But it is in no way a failure, and your critiques from one visit are not reflective of how those of us in the neighborhood feel about the park

[@guapapod1302]

ssssshhhhhhh, dont tell the secrets.LOL I hang out at HRPK almost every day. I Love It!

[@user-mm1nt1it5v]

Why does his voice slowly get quieter like hes running out of breath many times when hes finishing sentences? Its distracting lol. Either way good video.

[@amymalina5073]

Oh lighten up. This is such an fanciful, inventive place with spectacular views. The piers south of there are filled with sports areas and everything else, beautifully planted and considered. It is a magical place to just walk anytime I am there. Maybe NYC is not for you. Go home

[@WickerDuck]

Great first video fam! Keep them coming.

[@City.Slicker]

Thank you! Will do!

[@jlafleur35]

I’ve been once, I thought it was eh. Obviously impressed with the structure itself and I thought it would be cool to see a show at the amphitheater. Never been back though.

[@ElasticSea]

The comedy in this, i cant

[@kirstanuci]

It's spectacular. It was a few acres of flat concrete dilapidated slab of nothing before. NYC Central Park was a flat terrain of nothing before, now it's rolling terrain. Rich investment created Central Park, Washington DC, Eiffle Tower, Every Museum in the world, so shut your trap. Did a poor man build Empire State, Dubhai, Noem, Buckingham Palace, Great Wall of China...money people are the builders. It's an Uber designed Park for people, like the high line, any new innovative green space is a plus for NYC. Just saw Twyla Tharp Dance in the amphitheatre there and it was super. As you said you visited meaning you don't live here in NYC, where do you live and show us your park and what your community has done for you before mouthing off about the greatest USA city in the world...and BTW don't come back.

[@jimcappellino926]

I lived in Manhattan from 1971 to 1994. It may have been in disrepair and in need of a thorough douche, but it was a place where I could afford to live and work in. Since I now live in Rochester NY…I’ve been witness to the disgusting rise of capitalist extravagance and an ongoing “pissing contest” for greedy real estate hogs and sell out architects to scream “mine’s bigger than yours” and “mine cost the most to occupy”. It looks like a distorted picture of the Manhattan I left behind. Despite the towering stalagmites and cultural barriers it looks like it’s on the verge of some sort of breaking point. This stupid park is a great example of unnecessarily invasive and reckless spending. Great review! 👍

[@AshAshBaby]

I live in brooklyn and been here exactly once. its an extremely mid experience overall.

[@Darkteen75]

I have only been twice but enjoyed my visits. It was a great break from walking around the market and highline and a nice spot before or after the museum. The stage area is a great spot to just chill and catch a breather. If the weather is nice, the breeze cools you down. If you plan on going, bring your own snacks and water.

[@brucehain]

I've thought since before Diller's Island was first suggested that a multimodal transportation and sanitation facility including notably freight rail, with gantry cranes for loading ships parallel to the shore, should be located on the approximate spot. (You could make a much larger park on top of it, and bring you kids to watch the loading and unloading as from an airport "ramp".) I still occasionally try to promote a plan that would enable same, through means of a trans-Hudson passenger tunnel designed to accommodate double-stack freight, being the first to reach what I call the West Side Line (rail), located right there, under the West Side Highway, aka the Hudson River Greenway. Truly there would be a lot of opposition (even though it would probably benefit the adjacent Little Island by having a bigger, more accessible one right next to it, conveniently connected for pedestrian access) ...opposition, by people who are extremely convinced that it's extremely important to use every linear foot of some of the greatest waterfront property in the world - which largely made not only the city, but the US, what it is today - as a restricted-development area for limited recreational use by people who can afford to conveniently get there from across the giant expanse of highway (My working design includes three very broad landscaped bridges with ADA elevators, etc.) i.e. an "elite" minority. That's what they are and they made the laws. And while I do think of the present Island: "it's a nice idea" - it doesn't address the much more pressing concern of not having rail freight access for goods, food and refuse since all the car float terminals were 86'ed back about 1960. The "modern" way to address this would be through trans-Hudson freight rail access. Duh. ...which would eliminate the unsightly car float terminals, having the tracks hidden under a profusely landscaped and cleverly designed park with "root-space" for growth potential, i.e. plant growth.

[@rogeramezquita5685]

As a new Yorker I have never been there

[@SweetT00f]

Learned something new today. Nice vid 👌

[@City.Slicker]

Glad you enjoyed! Stay tuned for more videos like this.

[@MK-hh1vo]

Interesting video, but I missed the part where the park *failed* ! I love the fact that I can learn about my hometown places I never wanted to visit from tourists. I especially appreciate the warning about lack of accessibility and shade!!! They didn't play that up in the park's promotion! 😄 Thanks!

[@mrpeel3239]

Little, BIG failure! Over built, Over spent and UNDERwhelming. Looks like the World's most gauche, miniature golf course.

[@TrvisXXIII]

I worked at city winery (pier 57) which was right next to this place and never once set foot inside that place. I thought it was just one big art instillation from the outside, no idea it was supposed to be a park.

[@BigWill007]

Just got back from NYC! The greatest city so far by far!! Loved it there.

[@alexandraeilise]

Can’t believe this is your first video. Really nicely done man, subscribed

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for the sub! More content coming soon.

[@dvulpis29]

Just found it today and loved it. Didn’t know it existed until I happened upon it on a bike ride.

[@TTM9691]

Looks like a miniature golf course.

[@gabrielvelea5785]

Little Island is an immense tourist attraction - I do not understand why would you consider it a failed project when thousands of people are milling around daily to visit it? Whether it is a product of a vile, Neo-liberal society with disregard to the ordinary people, that's another discussion. It is however an urban design success for the waterfront (of UK import, indeed) - albeit a singular in the current decade - when it comes to nurturing a culture of public urban spaces that otherwise the US lack (and particularly a gritty, corrupt city as New York) when compared to European cities or China.

[@SqueeGie-ol2ju]

Spinning art insulations, to hypnotize you into liking the place 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AlistairKiwi]

Agree totally about entrance to park needing to be inviting. Also, not seeing the utility or purpose of this place. It's impressive but pointless. And cutting $55million after spending $40m on this then firing essential staff - how does that serve anyone at all in the community, nor even tourists? I thought you provided a quality assessment of a place with potential which has not been sufficiently realized at a cost (1400 jobs) which can't be justified.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Great video! Can’t wait for more :]

[@City.Slicker]

Thank you so much!

[@EPMTUNES]

Very nice video, I would love to hear you remove more city related stuff like parks. The design reeks of privately owned public land that we see a lot in NYC. Increased FAR grants are given if developers put plazas in front of their buildings, which are often made to be uncomfortable or non-obvious as a way to avoid them being used.

[@ezra420420]

the compost and garbage goes to the same place buddy

[@jgoy10]

I went to the island once and it was very empty and boring apart from the view.

[@anjalichandel1551]

amazing first video 😁

[@FerdinandCesarano]

9:25 - You seem unaware that this park lies on a greenway, indeed, on the most heavily used greenway in the country. The entire Hudson River shoreline is accessible from this park on foot.

[@SnowCoveredKK]

This is so weird that you could think you could critique a park in a city you don’t live in. The fact that we are getting any additional green space is a huge boon for us. I agree there isn’t a lot of shade, but that’s what those trees are hopefully going to do for us in the next couple years since this is a very new park. And you talking about just walking over the West Side Highway to the park, yeah that’s just how our city is built. Nothing we can do about that. That’s how we get to all of the piers. You don’t bring your kids to the park to play in the city unless it’s Central Park. This is a park for adults.

[@AF-td2jf]

This guy sounds like a real hater

[@silviomarcio4806]

Let those haters bark..is called littĺe island...so is little. You dont walk into a studio apartment expecting a penthouse, do you?

[@RC-qf3mp]

7:05 you don’t get it. Having tourists benefits the community b/c tourists need to eat, like to shop, and stay at hotels. How does that NOT benefit the community? Oh wait, I forgot, you’re an unemployed YTer who lives in his mom’s basement and doesn’t know the economy works. Understood. Now go back and give the rest of us lessons.

[@williamwebb7917]

Looks blah. Uninteresting.

[@patriciareilly530]

Well done. The park is an eyesore. What a sad waste of money.

[@kevingunning9259]

The park looks cool from afar and is clean. I grew up on long Island and have lived in Manhattan since 2005. I agree it is a boring park. Only reason to go would be for a performance

[@TimeBrutus]

No New Yorker goes there. There is really no seating and along the route up to the lookout there are so few seats and barely any seating at top. It’s a tourist trap and not a New Yorkers destination.

[@emmanyc]

The highline is much better and it’s really strange that they decided to put it just blocks away from the highline.

[@thetrainguy1]

You earned a Sub. Good Job.

[@City.Slicker]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@sonnie6210]

Fabulous thought stupid idea. This is a city that has extreme weather conditions. I didn't see a lot of shade or practical areas. If its windy on the Hudson you're stuffed . If it's hot, raining, cold then no one with a brain would go.