The design subtly relates the park to the old rail plan, with an exciting mix of sitting areas at the water, direct river access, a boardwalk/crossing cove, natural grasslands, and a long row of soft willows at the water's edge.

The elevated highway remains in place, dividing the park in two—as work finishes on the corridor underneath the Boulevard designed for it.

The Last Phase

The last phase of Riverside South is the deep two-block section from 59th to 61st Streets, where Trump had planned a giant Office-TV Studio complex.

Instead, in 2010 the City approved a plan for a cluster of lofty towers that will form a powerful corridor of space starting at West End Ave and widening as it approaches Riverside Boulevard to the west—recalling the great "openings to the water" of the Lower Manhattan Plan. (See Plan to the left; also rendering upper right.)

As a result of pressure from Community Board 7, the great corridor was modified to open it up to the neighborhood—most notably at 59th Street and the historic Con Ed building. Also added were a public recreation area, a public school, and 20 percent permanent affordable housing.