Staten Island

Similar to Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's grand ideas for Central Park, there is a vision for the 2,200 acres of reclaimed land at the former Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island. Where trash once piled up for as far as the eye could see, the site is now a blossoming park full of wildlife and recreational activities. The Park Administrator overseeing this incredible transformation is Eloise Hirsh. Eloise is a major force behind the largest landfill-to-park conversion in the world to date. In her role as Freshkills Park Administrator, she makes sure the park progresses towards its completion date in 2035, and regularly engages with New Yorkers to keep them informed and excited. 6sqft recently spoke with Eloise to learn more about Fresh Kills' history, what it takes to reclaim land, and what New Yorkers can expect at the park today and in the years to come.
Read the full interview here