Built in 1962 for the Holland America Cruise Line, Pier 40 fulfills multiple functions within the Park. Aside from serving as the home to the Hudson River Park Trust, this enormous pier also generates income needed for the Park’s continuing care and operations principally through a large public parking garage and excursion vessels. Beyond these commercial uses, Pier 40 also serves essential public recreational functions, including a large athletic field complex, Hudson River Park’s River Project Wetlab, mooring field and a community boating program. Plus, New York City’s only outdoor Trapeze School is located on the rooftop.
Athletic Fields
Pier 40’s Rooftop, Indoor and newly renovated Courtyard Fields are an iconic Park feature. More than two hundred thousand children and adults make use of the Park’s fields all year long. Open from 6:00 AM–midnight, these turf fields are available for informal recreational play in the relatively scarce windows when permitted groups are not scheduled.
History
It’s hard to imagine the waterfront at West Houston without Pier 40’s enormous presence or its bustle of activity. But long before the pier’s sprawling structure provided surrounding neighborhoods with much-loved turf fields and much-needed parking, Pier 40 made history as the largest—and most modern—passenger and freight terminal in the Port of New York.
The Future
Pier 40 is currently fixing critical infrastructure repairs to its roof and supportive piles. View this page for information on the engineer’s report on the repairs to Pier 40. View this page for information on the public review process for the Pier 40 air rights sale.