Transforming historic Governors Island into a spectacular new destination

Governors Island Slide Hill

Governors Island, a 172-acre historical landmark just south of Manhattan, is a public-serving, summer-ready excursion for all of New York. When the Governors Island team wanted add some new features, we joined as landscape architect of record for the design-build project. The aim? A hill with four monumental slides.

We worked in collaboration with multiple design and construction firms to complete and implement the design for the Slide Hill. Our value engineering included preparing alternative details for critical elements like the layout of the timber scramble and placement of the slides and tree plantings. We also provided the design and the construction documents, ensuring the design intent was maintained.

The beautiful, natural-looking hill has four slides of differing lengths and widths, visually separated by trees and plantings. Large rectangular stones and timber are scattered on the slope for both climbing and sitting. In addition, the composite climber play area had to be code-compliant, inviting, and safe for all ages.

The end result is a one-of-a-kind feature for Governors Island’s park and public spaces, fitting seamlessly into the natural environment and providing all ages with new experiences and memories.