Pier 42, East River, pier in Manhattan, New York

Pier 42 is a park along the East River on the Lower East Side, stretching from Montgomery Street to Corlears Hook. It features tennis courts, open grass fields, children's playgrounds, walking paths with river views, benches for sitting, and bathrooms for visitors.

Pier 42 was built in the 1960s as a cargo handling port and remained active until the late 1980s. After decades of closure and following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the site was redesigned and construction began in 2021, with the park officially opening in 2024.

The park's design keeps part of the old storage structure's frame, reused as a pavilion rather than a converted warehouse shed. During the design phase, the temporary project Paths to Pier 42 brought residents, artists and designers together for installations and public events on the waterfront.

The park entrance is in the upland section reached from Montgomery Street, where Pier 36 signage serves as a landmark. The site is served by public transit and has no admission fee. Bathrooms are available. The 2.3-acre deck with recreational fields opened in November 2022, while the full park opened on July 3, 2024.

During its peak as a working port, millions of bananas from Ecuador arrived at Pier 42 each year, reflecting the site's role as a major trade hub. This intense commercial activity has long ceased, but the transformation shows how the city repurposes industrial sites for public use and community connection.