Why New York's "Little Island" FAILED
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ค. 2024
- 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?
Shit ain’t leather
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.
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.
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
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
@@ShaheenGhiassy I’ll split the difference and say Meat Packing district. It’s South of 14th that’s definitely not Chelsea
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All just to increase property values on a failed development. Shame that the money couldn't have gone to better use.
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!!!
@@PerfectRodo Thank you so much! That's funny because my mom really likes the island as well hahaha.
you formed an opinion based off some salty youtuber rather than going yourself? sick.
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
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”.
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!
Had no idea this was your first video until you said it, great job!
I like the way that you told the story, a blend of comedy, fact and critique.
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! 👍
Little Island is pretty cool and it’s free. So no complaints about it. Really enjoyed walking through it. Will definitely be back again.
he got his money up AND his funny up 🤯 no mess
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.
I thought that was the meet packing district.
Exactly right by the meat packing…you’re right
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.
Thanks for the feedback! I wish I had caught those things during my research.
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.
Thanks for your support!
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?
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😆
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.
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.
It’s perfectly ok to build a park meant to be enjoyed by adults.
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.
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.
POV: you’re a tourist in NYC and think you know what’s best for NYCDOT, Parks Dept, tourism, and DEP.
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! =)
Thanks for subscribing!
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.
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
Oh hell yeah, a new creator with amazing content. Noting I was here before homie blows past 500k in a few months
Thanks! I sure hope so.
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.
It’s really Brooklyn. Queens has plenty.
Forest park pretty much all of jamaica bay shirley chisholm flushing meadows (kinda... Too much parking) cunningham greenwood cemetery... Brooklyn is too overdeveloped though
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.
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.
I also think as the trees grow out it will become more interesting.
Unironically well edited man inshallah you make it huge 🙏🙏🙏🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰
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.
Dude, I live downtown. Only several blocks from this park, and I've never gone there. When it first opened I heard it would have nights when it was only for members. I was surprised to see it so open to the public. These vanity projects are the death of us.
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.
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.
I thought it was really cool. It looks like something out of Mario or Zelda.
first video? solid. subscribed.
Glad you enjoyed my first vid! Thanks for the sub! More videos like this coming soon.
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.
City slicker 🏙️💯
I live in brooklyn and been here exactly once. its an extremely mid experience overall.
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.
Good objective review. I agree with all of your points. The $40 million spent by NYC Parks should have been spent elsewhere.
Great first video fam! Keep them coming.
Thank you! Will do!
Great video! Review of maggie daley park in chicago coming next?
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.
Seems less of a park and more of an overdesigned 'Instagram Moment' backdrop.
Keep these videos up!
Awesome video. Looks like the project was aimed at having people awe at it rather than being functional.
This guy sounds like a real hater
Algorithm nation ✌️
Glad you found me!
Great critique! You should do the rail park in Philly next!
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.
@@City.Slicker that’s also a great spot! While you’re at it, check out the dead fleet, and central green!
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.
Thanks for the sub! and great point
Really interesting topic and video essay! This will be a "free" park for about 2 years max. It's billionaire green washing.
As a NYC Resident, real.
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.
The park is not meant to be a sports park. Also you can exit the high line at 14th street and walk to little island. I do agree there’s no shade at the park and it was built to please tourists and the money should have been used to other boroughs
I bike past it almost daily and have had no interest to go in there. Not into that tourist trap shit.
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.
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.
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!
I would like to have known what the alternatives were. My guess is this stopped some monstrosity from going up. So in that case it's good. A place by the water in the city with no playground (which can be changed), a place for adults to relax and contemplate or attend a show is not the worst idea. But the whole thing is odd. Which in itself isn't bad. Nice work bringing it to us.
Went here on shrooms. It made my shroom trip boring lol.
I could've replaced the whole video with this one sentence 😂
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!
I really like the comedy + history aspect of the video. Keep going 🔥🔥
Thanks so much! New video coming soon 😎
Learned something new today.
Nice vid 👌
Glad you enjoyed! Stay tuned for more videos like this.
Can’t believe this is your first video. Really nicely done man, subscribed
Thanks for the sub! More content coming soon.
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
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.
Great vid. Subbed!
been to this spot in late 2022. except for icecream and sodas sold out, it was fine
Really good! I used to go to NYC pretty often and didn't even know that park existed. I agree -- I probably wouldn't be intrested in visiting
amazing first video 😁
Spinning art insulations, to hypnotize you into liking the place 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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
Great video! Can’t wait for more :]
Thank you so much!
Hyper critical
You can like or dislike the design of the park but you I would rather see a billionaire spend money on a park or other facility than spend it on yachts and mansions. You don’t get to tell people where/how they can spend their money or at least they don’t have to spend it on projects they don’t want to. And wealthy people usually like to donate money in ways that get noticed and unfortunately downtown/lower Manhattan gets noticed while the outer boroughs usually don’t. There are people who complain about Central Park and Riverside Park because they have active conservancy/charities that privately fund much/most of the upkeep of those parks. Their doing so frees up money that the Parks Dept can use to support other parks and other neighborhoods can create groups to support other parks if they want to. Montefiore Park which is a small park in my neighborhood has it’s own association that looks after the park.
two baffling flops, this (looks like a stage from a videogame) and the vessel and the Lowline doesn't get any funding.
(that said i've not seen any live music tho on the island, which seems like would be interesting)
the roof on pier 57 (google building) is much better . . . new sub, this is great stuff
Thanks for the sub!
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.
the expensive project isn’t really beneficial to the people who woulda thunk
I hate the audio in this video
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.
I think u live in the park homeless
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.
I went to the island once and it was very empty and boring apart from the view.
Looks blah. Uninteresting.
You earned a Sub. Good Job.
Thanks for subscribing!
I really enjoyed this thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! More content coming soon!
Yo. Where's that sandwich shop?
I love little island it’s beautiful
1:22 Says a lot about why some of your statements are largely untrue.
Not impressed! Looks like giant golf tees.
Ive been there a few times since it was built and i enjoy the scenery but that’s about it.
I love those hypnotic discs those lol
Fair review.
the compost and garbage goes to the same place buddy
We visit the Little Island one time and it was a nice Park. Sad it did not catch on tho.
It needs a playground
Ah. A 2024 TH-cam post about a 2021 civic structure with 2016 "bro" style editing.
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.
nice mini doc!
I keep forgetting to check it out
Yeah, I rarely get up to NYC these days and - this - is not on any Bucket List… but I haven’t gone up Suicide Tower, yet, either sooo???
I agree wit’ the comments on the video editing “Great Job” but the audio/vocal is very distracting (backed by repetitive Muzak) was it AI’d ? Breath control. Don’t try to read a line longer than you can sustain a clean tone… I’m hanging on every last breath not finishing a sentence.
As for “budget cuts” Hey, Sanctuary Cities that New Yorkers voted for but NIMBY as 30 millions have been urged to come here as replacement “citizens” who will need Tax Payer $$$ for as long as they’re encouraged to stay. Most wanna go to NYC because that’s where the sap is 😏
Royalty Free tunes. got some more interesting music for the project coming up this week :)
@@City.Slicker
Not that I’m a TH-camr but I do notice a lot if the AI generated posts have the same song playing over and over again - worse - louder than the narrator… as a videographer, I follow the Rule of 3 - 3 repetitions - and there better be some reason… same with writing etc
@@georgerady9706 thanks for the advice!
Yea I was there and it was so boring. Beautiful but like nothing to do really on the island.
I think it needs a playground for adults and not a stage
@@AbimaelLopez-hz3qqHm- was thinking the auditorium presented an opportunity for a scaled down reimagining of "The Pier" further up the river that hosted so many awesome shows back in the day... doesn't look like it has nearly the facilities to be that kind of venue but quality smaller shows there hopefully could be a thing-
Wait, that's the TITANIC gate, right?
yeah LOL
stuff new yorkers never do
Little little st James
Please look at the other new park 50 Kent Bushwick inlet park. It's horrible.
This is my favorite video
No kappa
Thanks Sesh, you're the realest to ever do it
this shit is fire fr
Chelsea is west village