Landscape & Urban Design Issue 18 2016 | Page 14

PERFECT HARMONY BETWEEN DESIGN AND SAFETY FOUR FREEDOMS PARK, NEW YORK Four Freedoms park is located on an island on the East River in New York City; it has been created as the first memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelts historic wartime speech given in 1941. Designed by iconic landscape architect Louis I. Khan in 1973, Four Freedoms Park is on Roosevelt Island, converging on the southern tip with two long lanes of Littleleaf Linden trees planted around a landscape of white granite. In order to allow this clean and geometric style, Platipus tree anchoring systems were chosen in lieu of wooden stakes or above ground support. The Platipus system also offers increased protection to the trees against strong winds coming from the surrounding waters. In October 2012, just a few days after the opening ceremony of the park, Hurricane Sandy swept through with strong winds of up to 70mph. Despite this, this major storm event caused no damage and the symmetry of the trees was not affected thanks to the strong stability of the Platipus rootball fixing system supporting each of the trees. Platipus offers a wide range of tree anchoring systems and irrigation systems for every planting situation, whether rural or urban. The company has also developed the ‘D-MAN System’ which allows trees to be supported where traditional anchors cannot be used on roof gardens, in confined spaces or due to buried services. Platipus can also offer bespoke and permanent solutions for every planting situation. [email protected] www.platipus-anchors.com 01737 762300