The Battery Park City Ball Fields and Community Center are essential recreation and community assets serving thousands of youth and residents in Lower Manhattan. After Superstorm Sandy caused major flooding at this critical site, the Battery Park City Authority launched a resilience program to safeguard the facility from future storms, sea level rise and coastal flooding. STV provided full architectural, engineering and landscape architecture services to design a comprehensive flood protection system for the 80,000‑square‑foot community space and surrounding ball fields.
What challenges did STV address?
The site required a resilient solution that protected a large open‑space facility while maintaining active community use. The design needed to withstand future storm surges, fit within a dense urban neighborhood and integrate seamlessly with public space, circulation and amenities. The project also required careful consideration of sustainability, constructability and long‑term maintenance.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV evaluated alternatives for floodwalls, deployable barriers and floodgate systems before designing an 800‑linear‑foot independent flood barrier to encircle the fields and community center. The team delivered permanent stormwater drainage improvements and leveraged existing foundations to reduce environmental impact. The result is a resilient, adaptable system that preserves community access while protecting the site from extreme weather.
How does this project benefit the community?
The project safeguards a beloved recreational resource used by more than 50,000 youth annually. By providing robust flood protection and modern drainage systems, the redesign strengthens neighborhood resilience, reduces future repair costs and ensures the ball fields and community center remain open and accessible after severe weather events.
Key stats and accolades
- 800‑linear‑foot flood barrier
- 80,000‑square‑foot community center protected
- More than 50,000 youth use the ball fields annually
- Sustainable design using existing foundations
