Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanic Garden occupies an 83-acre waterfront campus on Staten Island that carries more than two centuries of history — from Lenape land to one of the earliest charitable institutions for retired sailors in the United States, and today to a public park and National Register Historic District. NBW, in collaboration with The LiRo Group and Marvel Architects, was engaged to develop a comprehensive master plan to guide the long-term evolution of this complex cultural landscape.
Grounded in stakeholder engagement and careful site research, the plan establishes a cohesive framework for preserving the campus's historic character while strengthening its role as a year-round civic destination. Key interventions include the Loop Walkway, linking major campus destinations; Chapel Road, reimagined as a central promenade and event spine; the restored Front Lawn, providing flexible public use while acknowledging lost architectural history; and the Farm-Ecology Center, a new hub for greenhouses, orchards, and interpretive programming rooted in the campus's rural and agricultural character.
A renewed connection to the waterfront restores a defining historic relationship while opening new public and ecological potential. Through targeted restoration, green infrastructure, and expanded horticultural programming, the plan enhances biodiversity and site legibility — creating a more connected and resilient landscape for culture, learning, and public life at the edge of New York Harbor.
