Chelsea Cove garnered Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., an honor award. It features a promenade, boardwalk, entry garden (designed in collaboration with Lynden Miller), skate park, a large lawn, a carousel of animals historically found in and along the Hudson River, an oak grove, a stone field and a bikeway. There's even a green roof on the concession building (by architect CR Studio), picnic tables and benches made from salvaged wood and green space for Pier 64.
Photos: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.

The ASLA New York Chapter has announced the selections for its 2014 Design Awards. The projects were selected from 70 submissions, and judged by the ASLA Northern California Chapter. The awards will be presented at a ceremony and reception April 3, at the Center for Architecture www.cfa.aiany.org in Manhattan. The winning designs will be on display at the center April 3 through the end of the month.

Reimagining and rebirth of derelict, decrepit waterfront areas into spectacular parks, simultaneously historic, modern, and user and eco-friendly, are expressed in the Honor Award to Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects for the design of the West Point Foundry Preserve. The preserve features trails that expand access and integrate ecological improvements, restorations and interpretive elements of the rich history of the former industrial site. Similarly, a Merit Award went to Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates for the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 5. This restored shipping pier features sports fields, play areas, areas for fishing and picnicking. A green roof on the concession building and, salvaged pier signs and are among the "green" elements.

Other examples of the transformation of industrial waterfront into sustainable public spaces for reflection and recreation are the Harlem River Promenade, and Hallet's Cove, both designed by Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners, and garnering Merit Awards.

Away from the waterfront, a Merit Award went to James Corner Field Operations for the Tongva Park design in Santa Monica, Calif., essentially a parking lot transformed into a green space with winding walkways, rolling hills, expansive lawns and observation decks 18 feet above ground. A Merit Award also went to Town and Gardens for the Rainlab at the Dalton School, a rooftop classroom that uses rainwater and other sustainable elements for learning and play.

Honor Awards
Chelsea Cover, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Native Plant Garden, New York Botanical Garden
SIRR Coastal Protection Plan, Scape Landscape Architecture, PLLC
Southern Highlands Reserve, W Gary Smith Design
West Point Foundry Preserve, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C.

Merit Awards
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
The Deconstructed Salt Marsh, Scape Landscape Architecture, PLLC
Gateway at the State University of New York, College of Environmental
Science and Forestry, Andropogon Associates, Ltd.
Harlem River Promenade, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners, PLLC
Hallet's Cove, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners, PLLC
Hudson Square Streetscape, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C.
Into the Woods, Nancy Owens Studio LLC
Midtown Manhattan Sky Garden, HMWhite Site Architects
Rainlab at Dalton School, Town & Gardens, Ltd.
Swingtones, Strafford, Supermass Studio Landscape Architecture, P.C.
Tongva Park & Ken Gensler Square, James Corner Field Operations
Reconstruct Forest Edge, Keith LeBlanc Landscape Architecture
Zones of Experience: Symbolism as a Master Planning Tool for St. John's University, Louis Fusco Landscape Architects

Note: The New York Chapter encompasses the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, and Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland counties.