Little Island, on the Hudson

Part High Line, part Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the new public park Little Island—the brainchild of the mogul Barry Diller—sprang from the Hurricane Sandy-battered remains of Pier 54, on the Hudson River. Its aesthetic is refined whimsy: undulating topography (by Heatherwick Studio), lush gardens (by the landscape architects at M.N.L.A.), and performance spaces, including an amphitheatre overlooking the water and a lawn for concerts. The park is now open for exploring; free programming starts in mid-June.