If you were to visit Battery Park City in 1630, you would see where the “battery” part comes from – you would be peering down the barrel of a 17th-century cannon. Either that or you would be underwater.
In a charming way, Battery Park City is technically New York’s oldest and newest neighborhood at the same time. In 1624 the Dutch established a battery of cannons facing out across the water at Manhattan’s southern tip, south of their settlements on the island.
As the city grew and changed over time, the site of the battery – the meeting point of the Hudson and East Rivers – continued to be of special strategic value. The battery was the site of one of the earlier conflicts between British and revolutionary forces, who understood its importance in defending the island.
Unfortunately, none of the structures or fortifications from that period remain, but the walls of Fort Clinton, a sandstone fort built in anticipation of the War of 1812, are still standing.
However, during all of this time and for most of the 20th century, the majority of the area we now know as “Battery Park City” was either dockland or the Hudson River. In fact, by the mid – 20th century, the land on the banks of the Hudson River was – similar to neighboring Tribeca – struggling as an industrial area that had lost its industry. Traditional shipping had been replaced by freight container shipping across the water in Jersey City, and the docks had gone quiet.
A rejuvenation scheme first put forward in the 1960s proposed a bold solution – reclaiming land from the River Hudson to create a residential neighborhood from abandoned docklands. The land reclamation was finished in 1976 and the first residential building was started in 1980.
Battery Park City’s unique history has left its indelible mark on the neighborhood. Its urban planners essentially had a blank slate to create their own idea of an ideal city neighborhood, and it shows. Despite being within walking distance of the incredibly dense Financial District, around a third of Battery Park City is given over to park space.
Battery Park City really does feel like it has been dropped onto the edge of Manhattan – it’s full of green space, it’s great for kids, and has a more personable feel that is far from the New York stereotype.
So if you ever get the chance to play some baseball there, or to wander through a park on the banks of the Hudson, take care to remember not so long ago you wouldn’t have been admiring the river – you would be in it.