BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Working with Two Trees Management, Field Operations and Bjarke Ingels Group designed the River Ring Master Plan, which will enhance connectivity of the public waterfront, reinstate natural habitats, elevate the standard for urban waterfront resiliency, and transform the way New Yorkers interact with the East River.
The waterfront park features a circular esplanade that extends into the East River, connecting a series of nature trails, amphitheater, boating cove, children’s natural play area, and sandy beach, all promoting access in and around the river.
Drawing inspiration from Jamaica Bay, the project embraces the river instead of building walls and hard surfaces that accelerate storm surge and push it to adjacent waterfronts. Waterfront infrastructure and open space will feature breakwaters, marshes, wetlands, and a tidal basin that will dissipate wave action from storm surges to increase resilience and create calmer waters for safe in-water recreation.