Abstract
The paper presents the process of transformation of a specific part of New York, i.e. Governors Island, located south of Manhattan, into yet another large municipal park. The specific natural and cultural conditions of the area, which is separate from the intense city network, have influenced the manner of developing the new park space. The basic design issues included: reference to the clear historical context resulting from the heritage of the defence fort, which functioned here for centuries, taking into account difficult eco-physiographic conditions resulting from the island’s location in an area exposed to dangerous weather anomalies; and the use of the significant landscape potential of the island, offering excellent conditions for the visual perception of the characteristic city skyline and its surroundings. The project, implemented in stages, forms an example of the broader, interesting issue of urban space recycling [1] and the incorporation of new functions into an outdated spatial context.