Battery Park

On the southwestern tip of Manhattan, the maze of stone and steel suddenly gives way to an expanse of greenery, Battery Park. Here, strolling along the waterfront promenade, visitors can enjoy upclose views of the Statue of Liberty and the harbor islands, and catch ferries to get even closer.

A Bit of History
Battery Park gets its name from two artillery stations built by the US military in anticipation of a British attack during the War of 1812. One of the structures, East Battery (Castle Williams), is located on Governors Island; the other, West Battery (Castle Clinton), was originally 300ft offshore. Neither was ever used in combat, and in 1870 the area between Castle Clinton and the shoreline (which ran along State Street) was filled in, creating the park you see today. It contains a number of memorials and sculptures: most striking is the 15ft-diameter, 22-ton Sphere by Fritz Koenig, salvaged from the World Trade Center Plaza. Once a glimmering ball, it now resembles a battered suit of armor (located just inside Bowling Green
entrance). The eternal flame was added, and lit, on September 11,2002.

A recent restoration (2005) created new paths, a fountain, gardens, lights and a carousel to the bosque (Spanish for grove of trees) at the southernmost tip of the park. At the north end. Pier A, the last Victorian pier shed in Manhattan, is being restored and adapted to hold a visitor center, shops and restaurants as well as to provide moorings for historic vessels.