5. Van Name Van Pelt Plaza/Richmond Terrace Wetlands

Nestled between the edge of a residential neighborhood and the working industrial waterfront of Staten Island’s north shore, this deteriorated site will be transformed into an attractive community asset with a pier that provides expansive views to the Kill van Kull and the Bayonne Bridge. The entrance plaza at Richmond Terrace incorporates wooden guard rails, new lighting, benches, and bike racks and connects to a path threading through a woodland area. A short walk leads visitors to a gathering space that can be programmed for educational use and features engraved maps that describe the evolution of the island in relation to the waterway. Durable materials such as stone paving and concrete piles are utilized to withstand flooding, while woody understory and herbaceous planting in the wetland park increase shoreline resilience. The design prioritizes public access to the waterfront while preserving the wetlands and enhancing avian habitat.