waterfront design planners Central Park

Creating vibrant, accessible, and resilient parks and public spaces is at the heart of what we do at Starr Whitehouse. For municipalities, community groups, and private developers in Central Park, we design everything from intimate neighborhood pocket parks to expansive state park restorations and dynamic urban plazas. Our process begins with deep community engagement and site analysis, ensuring the design reflects the unique identity, history, and needs of the people who will use it.

We integrate sustainable systems for stormwater management, native planting palettes that support local ecology, and durable, beautiful materials. Whether it's the Battery Playscape in Manhattan or the restoration plans for Lakebottom Park, we focus on creating spaces that are not only visually striking but also functionally robust and easy to maintain. As your landscape architects in Central Park, we navigate the entire process—from initial visioning and schematic design through construction documentation and oversight—to ensure your public space becomes a cherished community asset for generations.

In the dense fabric of Central Park, the streets and public right-of-way are critical social and ecological infrastructure. Our urban design and streetscape planning service transforms corridors into complete, multi-modal, and green environments. We work with city agencies, BIDs, and private entities on master plans for streets, bikeways, and lighting that improve safety, accessibility, and aesthetic cohesion.

Projects like the Union Square Streetscape and Lighting Master Plan or the Manhattan Greenway along the Harlem River demonstrate our holistic approach. We balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles while integrating green infrastructure for stormwater capture and urban heat island reduction. Our planners and designers are experts in the local codes and approval processes of Central Park, making us an invaluable partner for navigating complex urban projects from concept to construction, ensuring your vision for a more livable city is realized.

With increasing climate challenges, proactive resiliency planning is essential for coastal and waterfront communities in Central Park. Starr Whitehouse specializes in designing landscapes that adapt to and mitigate flood risk, sea-level rise, and erosion while enhancing public access and ecological health. Our work ranges from large-scale regional plans like the East Shore Shoreline Parks Resilience Plan to constructed projects like the Halletts Point Esplanade.

We employ nature-based solutions—living shorelines, wetland restoration, and strategic grading—to create buffers that protect infrastructure and communities. As your resiliency planners, we conduct vulnerability assessments, engage stakeholders in envisioning a safer future, and develop phased, implementable strategies. Our award-winning work on projects like The Big U: Rebuild by Design has established us as leaders in creating beautiful, multi-functional landscapes that make Central Park safer and more connected to its waterfront.

Educational institutions, corporate campuses, and cultural facilities in Central Park rely on their outdoor environments to support mission, wellness, and community. Our campus design service creates cohesive, inspiring, and sustainable landscapes that serve as outdoor classrooms, social hubs, and restorative retreats. We collaborate closely with facilities teams, administrators, and user groups to understand programmatic needs, from wayfinding and gathering spaces to sustainable site utilities and ecological habitats.

From the Georgia Tech North Avenue Visioning Study to the courtyards at Packer Collegiate Institute and the rooftop terrace for the Brooklyn Academy of Music, we design landscapes that are integral to the institution's identity. We specify durable materials for high-traffic areas, incorporate accessible pathways, and design for ease of maintenance. As your landscape architects, we ensure your campus grounds in Central Park are not just maintained, but are actively contributing to a culture of innovation, connection, and environmental stewardship.