Author: James Baginski

Twenty-two years ago, Warrie Price founded The Battery Conservancy with intentions to rebuild Battery Park. After years of unwavering dedication to the park and raising roughly $126 million along the way, Price has helped develop a bonafide urban getaway.

Last August, Lower Manhattan unveiled yet another must-see destination to the area. Nestled away in the Battery just beyond the seemingly endless and busy streets, sits a modern, one-of-a-kind wonder: the Seaglass Carousel. The carousel, which cost $16 million and took around 10 years to complete, doesn’t use the conventional roundabout animals like horses or lions. Instead, as a tribute to the original New York Aquarium which occupied the space for 45 years (1896-1941), architects WXY went with an aquatic theme. Each of the 30 custom designed fish are lit with internal LED lights and fitted with built-in speakers to give riders the sense that they are underwater.

The detail that truly makes the carousel unique lies within the engineering. The ride was designed without the traditional center pole, offering an unobstructed view of the entire space. Instead, the carousal rotates on turntables located underneath the structure, allowing the fish to move, not only up and down, but side to side in order to more closely mimic their swim patterns.

The Seaglass has already drawn the affection of countless riders and visual admirers. Among them is Downtown’s own CEO/Publisher Grace A. Capobianco.

“We are fortunate to have this beautiful piece of art that just happens to be functional and enjoyable for both the young and old. Warrie Price’s 22 year history, dedication and tenacity has certainly paid off,” says Capobianco.

Aside from the eye catching carousel, the Battery offers many other services providing city dwellers with an amicable space to enjoy the beauty of nature. Some of the amenities include an urban farm, several gardens, numerous monuments and memorials, a labyrinth-inspired walking path and bike paths.

Price’s ever growing vision for the park also includes a proposed $14 million, one and a half acre playground and the construction of a stage in front of the Battery Oval where concerts could potentially be held.

-by James Baginski

The Waterfront Alliance, started out as a project of The Municipal Art Society of New York and has blossomed into a network of over 900 organizations raising the social consciousness regarding the NY/NJ Harbor. Since its inception, the organization has proven to be a strong proponent for educating the public of the importance of the community shared waterway.

Leading up to this year’s annual Waterfront Conference on May 12th, the Waterfront Alliance will be hosting a series of weekly discussions titled “Deep Dives.” The series began on March 30^th with “Floating Possibilities: The value of art at underutilized waterfronts.”  The series of talks, hosted by Cornell Architecture Art Planning, will continue every Wednesday evening up to May 4^th from 6-9pm on the 20^th floor of 26 Broadway.  Some of the future “Deep Dives” discussions will pertain to data gathering and planning, defining the public access to the waterway and the Citywide Ferry Service.

The series is free and open to the public but space is limited. To attend the next discussion on April 6th, register here .