Seward Park – New York City, NY
Seward Park – New York City, NY
The Vision Realized: A Green Haven in the Heart of NYC
Picture a typical abandoned corner in Manhattan: concrete, hardscape, untapped potential.
Now imagine that same space transformed into a modern park with a grove of honey locust trees. This is Seward Park today, where nature and urban design combine to create a relaxing escape within the bustle of New York City.
The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a blue-sky October morning in the Big Apple, and the bustling city is coming alive. On this corner, though, there’s a quiet, unaffected getaway. Honey locust trees in their full autumn glory cast dappled shadows on contemporary benches that curve organically through the park. A child plays on the modern jungle gym, her mother grabbing a chat with friends at a nearby table, screened in from the buzz of the city. Under the natural canopy, a student works on their thesis, finally able to focus in this peaceful, natural escape.
It’s a striking contrast to the shabby, neglected corner of before. In just seven years since installation, the trees have achieved exceptional growth rates, creating a verdant canopy that provides essential shade and natural beauty to this urban setting.
It’s a vision that many landscape architects would like to see come to life in the real world. For many, however, it’s difficult to achieve that in reality. So, what’s the science behind the success?
The System Below Successful Trees
The remarkable growth and health of the trees at Seward Park didn’t happen by chance. Behind this success story lies the GreenBlue Urban ArborSystem, a comprehensive planting system that creates optimal growing conditions below ground.
The system included:
- GreenBlue Urban Soil Cells – providing adequate uncompacted soil for healthy root growth, while supporting the hardscape above.
- RootRain System with Urban Inlet – for deeper irrigation.
- ArborVent Aeration/Irrigation Inlet – ensuring proper gas exchange in the root zone
- Arborguy Deadman Rootball Anchors – for stable tree establishment
This underground framework creates an environment where trees can thrive, not just survive. The proof is in the canopy – robust, healthy trees with consistent growth rates across all planted specimens.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
The Vision Realized: A Green Haven in the Heart of NYC
Picture a typical abandoned corner in Manhattan: concrete, hardscape, untapped potential.
Now imagine that same space transformed into a modern park with a grove of honey locust trees. This is Seward Park today, where nature and urban design combine to create a relaxing escape within the bustle of New York City.
The transformation is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a blue-sky October morning in the Big Apple, and the bustling city is coming alive. On this corner, though, there’s a quiet, unaffected getaway. Honey locust trees in their full autumn glory cast dappled shadows on contemporary benches that curve organically through the park. A child plays on the modern jungle gym, her mother grabbing a chat with friends at a nearby table, screened in from the buzz of the city. Under the natural canopy, a student works on their thesis, finally able to focus in this peaceful, natural escape.
It’s a striking contrast to the shabby, neglected corner of before. In just seven years since installation, the trees have achieved exceptional growth rates, creating a verdant canopy that provides essential shade and natural beauty to this urban setting.
It’s a vision that many landscape architects would like to see come to life in the real world. For many, however, it’s difficult to achieve that in reality. So, what’s the science behind the success?
The System Below Successful Trees
The remarkable growth and health of the trees at Seward Park didn’t happen by chance. Behind this success story lies the GreenBlue Urban ArborSystem, a comprehensive planting system that creates optimal growing conditions below ground.
The system included:
- GreenBlue Urban Soil Cells – providing adequate uncompacted soil for healthy root growth, while supporting the hardscape above.
- RootRain System with Urban Inlet – for deeper irrigation.
- ArborVent Aeration/Irrigation Inlet – ensuring proper gas exchange in the root zone
- Arborguy Deadman Rootball Anchors – for stable tree establishment
This underground framework creates an environment where trees can thrive, not just survive. The proof is in the canopy – robust, healthy trees with consistent growth rates across all planted specimens.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Principles to Apply to Your Project
The success of Seward Park offers valuable lessons for landscape architects and urban planners. Here are some key considerations for your next project:
- For a cohesive aesthetic:
- Draw inspiration from both the structured, formal outlines of urban areas and the rhythmic, fluid lines of nature. Use trees as the focal point and design out from there. This helps give natural lines that blend smoothly with the hardscape around it – a look that’s both organized and organic.
- Below-ground infrastructure achieves above-ground beauty.
- Much like the unseen foundation of a skyscraper, the investment in proper subsurface conditions for trees may go unnoticed, but it’s absolutely critical.
- Below-ground tree anchors are a safer, more aesthetically pleasing and more effective alternative to tree staking.
- Tree roots grow where they find water. While surface irrigation encourages shallow roots that can damage pavement, subsurface irrigation systems guide roots deeper and away from the pavement.
- Prioritize soil volume:
- Adequate, uncompacted soil is non-negotiable for healthy tree growth. RootSpace soil cells provide the most soil in the smallest excavation possible, making them a go-to option for designers.
The transformation of Seward Park shows that with proper planning, appropriate infrastructure, and attention to detail, urban spaces can become thriving green havens that serve both people and nature.
Principles to Apply to Your Project
The success of Seward Park offers valuable lessons for landscape architects and urban planners. Here are some key considerations for your next project:
- For a cohesive aesthetic:
- Draw inspiration from both the structured, formal outlines of urban areas and the rhythmic, fluid lines of nature. Use trees as the focal point and design out from there. This helps give natural lines that blend smoothly with the hardscape around it – a look that’s both organized and organic.
- Below-ground infrastructure achieves above-ground beauty.
- Much like the unseen foundation of a skyscraper, the investment in proper subsurface conditions for trees may go unnoticed, but it’s absolutely critical.
- Below-ground tree anchors are a safer, more aesthetically pleasing and more effective alternative to tree staking.
- Tree roots grow where they find water. While surface irrigation encourages shallow roots that can damage pavement, subsurface irrigation systems guide roots deeper and away from the pavement.
- Prioritize soil volume:
- Adequate, uncompacted soil is non-negotiable for healthy tree growth. RootSpace soil cells provide the most soil in the smallest excavation possible, making them a go-to option for designers.
The transformation of Seward Park shows that with proper planning, appropriate infrastructure, and attention to detail, urban spaces can become thriving green havens that serve both people and nature.
