On May 8th, twenty members of the Design Trust Council gathered for an exclusive tour of Domino Park—Brooklyn's transformational industrial waterfront park— with the architects, developers, engineers and designers involved in its creation.

Design Trust hosted the event that was joined by representatives of: James Corner Field Operations, the landscape architect of the park; Two Trees Management, the site’s developer; Silman, the structural engineer, and SHoP Architects, who developed the master plan and created 325 Kent Avenue, the first of four buildings planned for the site, led this engaged group.

Domino Park, located on five-acres along the East River in Williamsburg, was built on the site of the former Domino Sugar Refinery. Adorned with salvaged artifacts, the Park acts as a tribute to generations of Domino workers and the resiliency of their neighborhood. Domino Park is a result of a broad and inclusive outreach plan with the goal of reconnecting the community to the waterfront while providing much needed open space for local residents.

Following the walking tour, DT Council members enjoyed cocktails at Freehold with the park’s creators. DT Council members from Dattner Architects, HR&A, Langan, and Perkins + Will were among some of the guests in attendance. Design Trust Council is a leadership circle of executives, urbanists, civic leaders and designers that provides critical support for unlocking the potential of NYC’s public spaces. 

The Design Trust was ecstatic to take part in this tour, hearing lessons learned, and highlighting a model public space, with an occasional whiff of burnt sugar wafting by, on the Brooklyn waterfront.

Interested in joining the council? Find membership opportunities here or contact Ryanna Fossum at rfossum@designtrust.org, 212-695-2432 x8.