Once a patchwork of industrial remnants and marshland, Hunter’s Point South Park has transformed into a flagship model for resilient, inclusive urban design—and now, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) is making it official. The Queens-based waterfront park is among just ten developments in North America selected to receive the prestigious 2025 ULI Americas Award for Excellence, a program that recognizes the pinnacle of achievement in urban development across private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
To mark the occasion, Frank Ottomanelli, the restaurateur behind F. Ottomanelli By The Water, will host a celebratory gathering onsite. With sweeping views of Manhattan and the East River, the restaurant—perched at the park’s edge—has become an anchor for locals and visitors alike, further blending the landscape’s natural beauty with its community purpose.
The ULI’s criteria are exacting. Projects must demonstrate marketplace success, environmental innovation, architectural design, economic viability, and community engagement, among other factors. For Hunter’s Point South Park, which sits at the southern edge of Long Island City, those requirements weren’t met—they were exceeded.
The 11-acre greenspace, designed by Thomas Balsley Associates (now SWA/Balsley) in collaboration with Weiss/Manfredi and engineering firm ARUP, unfolds along the East River with purpose and precision. Phase I, a $25 million project led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), opened in 2013 despite delays caused by Hurricane Sandy. Phase II followed in 2018, cementing the park as a community anchor and flood-resilient model.
Today, the park is managed by the NYC Department of Parks and supported by the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, a testament to its enduring community role.
Hunter’s Point South wasn’t always a green haven. The site once hosted landfills, a concrete plant, printing facilities, and a rail yard—typical fare for New York’s original coastline. But in the early 1990s, Tom Balsley envisioned something entirely different: an urban sanctuary that could marry landscape architecture with ecological foresight. That vision, part of the 1993 Queens West Vision Plan, eventually laid the groundwork for Gantry Plaza State Park and, years later, Hunter’s Point South.
“What began as our Vision Plan for Queens West in 1993 led to global design awards for Gantry Plaza State Park and now MOMA and the ULI Americas Award for Excellence for Hunter’s Point South Park. As the designer, these awards are important, but nothing satisfies me more than to visit the park to see how it has touched so many lives.”Tom Balsley, Principal Designer and Landscape Architect of Hunters Point South Park
A stormwater detention basin integrated into the park’s central green for flood mitigation
A water taxi dock and pier that encourage waterfront activity
A heritage rail garden, play grove, and dog run that blend recreation with historical homage
Event-scale open lawns for everything from soccer matches to city festivals
A bustling café, now home to F. Ottomanelli By The Water
The ULI jury reviewed 94 submissions across the Americas and selected 18 finalists, ultimately awarding just 10 winners. Hunter’s Point South Park stood out not just for its technical ingenuity but for how seamlessly it weaves into daily life.
“We are honored that ULI has recognized Hunters Point South Park. It is a space where communities can come together, enjoy celebrations and cultural activities, and also have space for relaxation.”Rob Basch, President of the Board of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy
“We’re extremely proud to support a space that can serve as a model for resilient waterfront design while also serving the needs of a rapidly growing neighborhood.”Jessica Sechrist, Executive Director of the Conservancy
To celebrate the ULI honor, Frank Ottomanelli will welcome a distinguished guest list that includes public officials, urban design leaders, and longtime stakeholders of the park’s development. Notable attendees include:
Carolyn Maloney (Former Congresswoman)
Donovan Richards (Queens Borough President)
Julie Won, Claire Valdez, Nydia Velasquez, Kristen Gonzalez
Design luminaries Marion Weiss, Michael Manfredi, and Tom Balsley
Former and current NYC Parks Commissioners and civic leaders
Set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s shimmering skyline and framed by one of New York’s most lauded green spaces, the evening will serve as both a toast to progress and a reminder of what’s possible when communities, designers, and public agencies align.
For Queens, and for New York City at large, Hunter’s Point South Park is more than an award-winning project. It’s proof that thoughtful design can reclaim history, invite connection, and safeguard the future—one square foot at a time.