Thank you, Mr. Diller: A celebration of Little Island, a very big gift to New York

What was Barry Diller Island becomes Little Island at 6 a.m. today when the billionaire’s amazing, phenomenally far-sighted and extraordinarily generous gift to New Yorkers opens in the Hudson off of 14th St.

Read about it and see the pictures in the Daily News and elsewhere. Much more important, go and experience the place. As the pandemic wanes, brilliant outdoor space feels especially precious. Walk down to the end of 14th St. and step off Manhattan onto a floating jewel box: two-and-a-half acres of winding paths and green lawns, wildflowers and shrubs and hundreds of types of grasses, perennials and vines and more than 60,000 bulbs.

There are river overlooks and performance spaces (and crucially, pristine restrooms that are free to all). Bring your own picnic or purchase food there. Little Island’s hours match its neighboring Hudson River Park, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. To prevent overcrowding, visits between noon and 8 p.m. need free reservations at littleisland.org. For spontaneity, just go in the morning or at night.

Economic inequality is worth combating, but all who grouse about it should simultaneously appreciate what great wealth and and imagination can produce for the common good. Diller put down more than a quarter-billion of his own money to hand New York an entirely public place. And he’s putting up another $120 million to fully fund and staff it for 20 years. There will be no corporate shindigs or private parties or rentals for weddings or bar mitzvah receptions. During summer months, there will be many, many music, dance and drama performances, some ticketed, but a third of the seats will be distributed for free to nonprofit partners. Another 40% will cost only $25.

For space and cleanliness, bikes and dogs aren’t allowed. We just hope that unlicensed vendors don’t crowd out park-goers, like they almost did on the High Line.

Diller had to overcome an effort from Douglas Durst, who tried to block the whole thing with a phony environmental claim. Gov. Cuomo helped revive the project. Thanks gov, but mostly thanks to Barry.