Gilbane Building Company Celebrates Groundbreaking for New York City’s Pier 26 Science Play Area

Gilbane Building Company joined Hudson River Park in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Pier 26 Science Play Area in New York City. Gilbane is managing construction of the recreational space in Hudson River Park. The groundbreaking was marked by a ceremony held at Pier 26 on Dec. 14.

The 4,000-square-foot marine science-themed space is the beneficiary of a private fundraising campaign by Hudson River Park Friends and will feature custom, interactive sculptural elements where children can learn, play and be inspired by wildlife and the Hudson River habitat. Designed by OLIN, the specialized playground will also serve as an outdoor extension of the environmental programming planned for the future Hudson River Estuarium and will complement the ecology-focused Pier 26. The play area is expected to open to the public in 2023.

The area will be the fifth children’s play area in Hudson River Park and will serve as an educational and recreational space that further advances the trust’s extensive science and environmental programming. The play area will include custom-fabricated play structures in the shape of two endangered sturgeon species that are native to the Hudson River — the Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon.

Children will be able to climb inside each of the two sturgeon structures and explore fish “anatomy” such as a sturgeon’s swim bladder and interact with other marine-oriented play features to learn about local wildlife that resides in the Park’s 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary. Trees and other plantings will be integrated into the space, along with a perimeter seat wall, safety surfacing, climbing nets and various other engaging play features for all ages to enjoy.