Design
Greenacre Park was designed by Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates (SDDA) with lead designers Hideo Sasaki, Masao Kinoshita, and Tom Wirth. Despite its modest size of 6,000 square feet, the design demonstrates that small urban parks can feature complex, layered landscapes with multiple dimensions.
Prior to Greenacre, most pocket parks were designed on a single level, but SDDA’s design incorporated elevated areas. The varying levels provide different vantage points, inviting visitors to explore and enjoy the space from several angles. The covered seating area is equipped with overhead heating elements for cooler weather, extending the time visitors can enjoy the park.
Water plays a crucial role in the park’s design. The main waterfall acts as both a visual focal point and an auditory barrier, blocking city noise. Additional water features include a small fountain at the entrance and a brook running along the east side.
The park’s design prioritizes visitors by thoughtfully incorporating seating throughout. In addition to the Knoll tables and chairs on the central plaza, the walls surrounding the planting beds and brook serve as built-in benches, offering more spaces for visitors to sit and relax. Greenacre Park exemplifies how a small space can be transformed into a rich urban retreat.
Hear landscape architect Stuart Dawson share some of the history and design inspiration behind Greenacre Park.
Fight for Light
Greenacre Park has long been a beloved sanctuary for New Yorkers, but as the city has rapidly developed since the 1970s, its access to sunlight has become increasingly threatened by the rise of new, tall buildings. Protecting sunlight is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is crucial to plant life and human life. Sunlight is important for creating sustainable, healthy environments that contribute to both the physical health and mental well-being of the city’s residents.
The Foundation is committed to advocating for parks and gardens, especially in the face of the growing threat of shadow encroachment due to urban overdevelopment. This continued risk of shadows adversely affecting Greenacre Park—and other beloved public spaces—poses a direct threat to the quality of life in New York City. Read the Fight for Light report here.
