Queens West: Stage II

47th Avenue, Queens, Queens County, NY, United States

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Other Projects by Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP

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Hudson River Park, Segment 4: Upland Areas, Pier 45, 46, and 51

Queens West: Stage II

47th Avenue, Queens, Queens County, NY, United States

Firm

Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP

Type

Landscape + Planning › Public Park

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2009

As prime consultant and lead designer, Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP (ABB) led a team of ten design, engineering and environmental firms to design the public parks and street infrastructure for this 13-acre waterfront development project. Early in the design process, the ABB team determined that a riverfront street proposed by an earlier master plan could be eliminated without adverse impacts. This move increased the total park land to 9 acres, while taking advantage of spectacular riverfront views. The park includes a 2,100 linear foot waterfront esplanade, a sweeping central lawn area framed with informal block seating, constructed cove wetlands, an 8,000 square foot children’s play area, kiosk and a community garden with a contemporary arbor, trellis and garden shed. Novel entry structures with integrated signage demarcate the major entries. For seating and lounging options, park users can choose among broad hammocks, Adirondack-style chairs on raised wood decks, chaise lounges, benches and chairs along the esplanade, and moveable café-style furnishings at the vendor kiosk and community garden. The inland park includes a multi-purpose field with built-in spectator seating and gatehouse restroom building, a picnic grove and an adjacent open lawn area. A significant aspect of the project was the incorporation of sustainable design strategies. ABB worked closely with product developers to refine concrete pavers containing recycled glass. Photovoltaic systems on park buildings and a demonstration grey water system also made their way into the final design.