Local landscape studio Field Operations has opened a swath of land in Staten Island‘s Freshkills Park, which was once home to the world’s largest landfill.

The opening marks a significant milestone in a 30-year master plan created by Field Operations for the 2,200-acre (890-hectare) site located along the west side of Staten Island – a borough of New York City – that is currently being transformed from a landfill into parkland.

It is the first phase of North Park, a 240-acre (97-hectare) site located in the northern part of Freshkills Park.

The first phase is a 21-acre (8-hectare) swath of land that connects the pre-existing Schmul Playground and surrounding neighbourhood to the park’s interior wetland.

Field Operations has opened the first phase of North Park in Staten Island’s Freshskills Park

“This is an exciting moment in the continually evolving life of Freshkills, marking significant new public access, ecological renewal, and social amenity,” said Field Operations founding partner James Corner.

“Once people get into the heart of the site, they will be astounded by the extraordinary scale and character of the larger park, with its palpable sense of nature, extensive vistas, and opportunities to explore.”

The first phase of North Park features a gently curving central pathway bordered by seven acres of native seed plots, picnic lawns and groves of trees.

The site gradually grows wider as it moves towards Main Creek, concluding in a lookout deck and bird-watching tower that overlooks the surrounding wetlands.

“The ‘arc’ is designed as an engineered earthwork, curving gently in both profile and plan to dramatize the visitor’s journey from the neighbourhood to the serene tranquillity of the wildlife refuge,” said the team.

“The visitor slowly ascends to the new horizon of the interior preserve and then drops down to an overlook and park area.”

The landscape design of North Park will grow over time to create a bio-diverse ecosystem.

This first phase of North Park opening is “just the beginning” of the redevelopment of Freshkills Park, which is expected to be completed in 2036 over a series of additional phases.

The project consists of a 21-acre swath of land that connects visitors to the interior of the park

It once contained five “massive” landfill mounds before it closed to the public in 2001 to undergo redevelopment.

Once completed, it will be “three times” the size of Central Park and will consist of spaces for active and passive recreation, event spaces and miles of trails.

“The park seeks to showcase the unusual combination of natural and engineered beauty on the site, including creeks, wetlands, expansive meadows, and spectacular vistas of New York City.” said the team.

Field Operations – formerly known as James Corner Field Operations – continues to work with the NYC Department of Sanitation and the Department of Parks & Recreation on the ongoing project.

Among other projects, the studio recently completed Manhattan’s “first public beachfront” and a “magical lookout” on top of a residential building in London.

The photography is courtesy NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney and Field Operations.

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