This Innovative New Park Redefines Urban Escape in NYC

A new chapter is unfolding along the waterfront in New York City. With the opening of the first phase of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project at East River Park, the Lower East Side of Manhattan is home to one of the city’s most forward-thinking public spaces.

Take a look at the latest on this innovative new project and how Kenneth Lynch & Sons has proudly contributed our newly designed 1964 World's Fair Chaise Lounge and Bar Stools to this dynamic urban landscape.

An Inviting Waterfront Park with Intentional Design 

East River Park, also known as John V. Lindsay East River Park, originally opened in 1939 under the leadership of Robert Moses, New York City’s Parks Commissioner. Although previously used as a shipping yard, the new 57.5-acre park became the largest green space in the Lower East Side.

Today, the park has many inviting amenities for locals and visitors as well as beautiful views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Additional spaces include a track, a tennis complex, baseball, softball, soccer, and football fields, as well as basketball courts, bike paths, playgrounds, fitness areas, and more.

The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project

East Side Coastal Resiliency Project at East River Park began in 2020 as a way to address potential impacts of climate change and the risk of flooding in the Lower Manhattan area. The $1.45 billion initiative was developed in response to flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy to introduce both flood protection infrastructure, including concrete floodwalls and floodgates, along with new public recreation areas spanning the 2.25 miles along the East River.

The project is led by the NYC Department of Design and Construction, as well as a team of experts, including BIG–Bjarke Ingels Group, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, ONE Architecture & Urbanism, and AKRF. The result is a dramatically updated public space that thoughtfully intertwines preventative infrastructure with welcoming public spaces.

Thoughtful Amenities in A Public Space

As with all great parks, it’s often the amenities and details that define the experience. With anywhere from 3 to 4 million people in Manhattan during a typical workday, seating plays an essential role in creating a space for locals and visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the scenic waterfront.

Kenneth Lynch & Sons worked closely with Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects over the last several years, with initial conversations starting in 2018, to design the new 1964 World's Fair Chaise Lounge and Bar Stools specifically for this project. The designers at Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects consulted with our team for careful consideration of manufacturing tolerances and fabrication specifications. With all the final approvals in place, the first iron castings were produced in 2024.

Inspired by the iconic design of the 1960’s, the new pieces are characterized by sweeping lines and smooth contours to complement the original design of the 1964 World's Fair Benches which are also found across common areas of East River Park and several parks in New York City. The 1964 World's Fair Chaise Lounge is available in both single and double-wide formats, reflecting a thoughtful approach to comfort, utilization, and visual cohesion within the landscape.

As of March 2026, our team has installed ove 200 benches, chaises, and stools so far as part of the newly renovated outdoor spaces at East River Park, and another 328 units scheduled to be installed by 2027. We look forward to our continued partnership in this beautiful waterfront space in New York City!

Learn more

View 1964 World's Fair Chaise Lounge Product Listing and Information Sheet
Learn more about our 1964 World's Fair Collection

 

Sources:

• About the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (nyc.gov)
• John V. Lindsay East River Park (nycgovparks.org)
• East Side Coastal Resiliency Project Opens First Phase At East River Park In Manhattan (newyorkyimby.com)