East River Esplanade
A historic district in Lower Manhattan dedicated to New York's maritime history
The East River Esplanade is a two-mile-long, public open space connecting the Whitehall Ferry Terminal and Peter Minuit Plaza in the south to East River Park in the north. In the coming years, as part of the continuing effort by the City of New York to revitalize Lower Manhattan, new sections of the esplanade will be built and several piers will be renovated. The park will improve waterfront access, enhance pedestrian connectivity, and create amenities for public use and enjoyment. The new esplanade is expected to contribute to an improved quality of life for local residents, workers and visitors.
Portions of the esplanade are currently open to the public, including the South Street Seaport [link to destination page], a major dining and retail destination at Fulton Street and Pier 17, and the Battery Maritime Building, the ferry departure hub for Governors Island (link to Governors Island). Construction on the remainder of the esplanade is set to begin in Fall 2008 and be completed by 2010.
When completed, the Esplanade will include:
- Open space amenities for communities currently underserved by the City's parks
- Basic infrastructure improvements to support new waterfront and community activities
- Piers 15, 35, 42 designed for public use
- Space under the FDR Drive for community, cultural, and limited commercial development
- Recreation access to the area around the Battery Maritime Building
- Continuous bikeway/walkway along the waterfront connecting to the Manhattan Greenway
