26 May 2026

Financing Natural Infrastructure: Hunter’s Point South, Queens, New York

Purpose: Greater application of natural infrastructure (NI) approaches calls for more widely accessible information about leveraging resources and opportunities to design, construct, monitor, and adaptively manage projects that incorporate natural features. Because NI techniques vary widely by location, purpose, and scale, no standard process currently exists for securing funds and establishing financing mechanisms. This document is part of a series sharing lessons learned and showcasing successful examples of developing and implementing NI projects through innovative partnerships, funding, and financing strategies. The series is intended for federal and nonfederal practitioners who play a role in the planning and management of NI projects worldwide. This technical note describes the development and funding process for the Hunter’s Point South waterfront park development, a community-driven initiative that transformed an abandoned postindustrial site into a multipurpose recreational space with enhanced coastal flood protection and affordable housing. Hunter’s Point South achieves a long-standing vision for Long Island City’s waterfront and serves as a model for accessible, climate-resilient design. This research effort is a collaboration between the Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) and Systems Approach to Geomorphic Engineering (SAGE) programs of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).