Chelsea Waterside Park

Historical Evolution

Nestled where West 23rd Street meets the West Side Highway in Manhattan, Chelsea Waterside Park covers about 2.5 acres of urban oasis. The city first acquired this land back in 1907.

In 1923, they named it Thomas F. Smith Park, when it was still connected to Manhattan's busy industrial waterfront. Fast forward to 2000, and the space was expanded, given a makeover, and rechristened as Chelsea Waterside Park - symbolizing how the Hudson River and surrounding areas have transformed from industrial zones into places where people actually want to hang out.

Design and Features

Landscape architect Thomas Balsley designed the park with the community in mind. Perhaps the most eye-catching feature is the playground's custom-designed Pipefish slide - a colorful, 64-foot wooden creation shaped like one of the Hudson River's native fish species. Kids enjoy scrambling up to slide down this unique attraction.

There's history tucked into every corner here. Limestone cattle head sculptures salvaged from an old Hell's Kitchen slaughterhouse add character to the water features. You'll also spot repurposed granite seating blocks and medallions from the former elevated West Side Highway - little reminders of the area's past lives.

Recreational Amenities

The park offers options for both active recreation and relaxation. Sports fans can shoot hoops at the basketball court, while soccer enthusiasts can enjoy evening games on the well-lit soccer field with the Hudson River providing a pretty spectacular backdrop.

The park includes The dedicated dog park comes complete with water features where your four-legged friends can play and socialize. The picnic areas and open spaces provide spots to relax, read a book, or take a break from the city's pace.

Playground and Water Features

The playground isn't massive, but it's thoughtfully designed with multiple climbing structures offering different challenges depending on your little one's age and climbing skills. When summer heats things up, the splash pad and water features on both sides of the playground become the coolest spots in the park - literally.

There's also a sandbox area for the younger crowd, appealing to both toddlers and older kids. The play space is designed to encourage active play and exploration.

Recent Renovations

In 2018, the park got some updates, particularly to the play area. More significantly, 2023 brought a $15.2 million renovation that enhanced usable spaces while actually increasing green areas by reducing paved surfaces - a win for the environment and park-goers alike.

The 2023 redesign put sustainability front and center with features like solar panels, water-efficient fixtures, and native plantings. The dog park got some love too, and the clean public restrooms located just 50 feet from the playground remained a practical amenity that parents especially appreciate.

Today, Chelsea Waterside Park falls under the care of the Hudson River Park Trust and functions as a green space for the Chelsea neighborhood and beyond.