Ferry Point Park

Gazing across the East River, can you imagine this tranquil expanse as a bustling hub for ferries? Here at Ferry Point Park, the whispers of the past mingle with the gentle lapping of waves. Ferry Point Park, a sprawling 413.8-acre peninsula in the Bronx, takes its name from the Ferris family, 18th-century residents of Throggs Neck. The park, bisected by the Hutchinson River Expressway, offers distinct experiences on its east and west sides. The east boasts Bally’s Golf Links, a community park, and a waterfront promenade, while the west provides space for soccer, cricket, fishing, and barbecues. Ferry Point Park also holds a poignant memorial: the Ferry Point 9/11 Memorial Grove and 9/11 Living Memorial Forest, a collection of 3,000 trees donated by the Prince of Monaco. This land has a vibrant history. In the 19th century, it transformed into a popular summer resort, drawing crowds, particularly from Manhattan’s German community, who arrived by steamboat. The remnants of Ferris Dock, the 19th-century steamboat landing, lie near present-day Brush Avenue. The Charlton Ferris House, reportedly the first house built in the Bronx in 1687, stood near Ferris Avenue. The park’s creation is linked to another landmark: the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. In 1937, New York City acquired the land, then owned by the Roman Catholic House of the Good Shepherd, in preparation for the bridge’s construction. Originally, the 171-acre parcel was known as “Old Ferry,” situated where Westchester Creek met Baxter Creek Inlet. While grand plans for a beach, bathhouse, and cafeteria complex never materialized, the west side opened to the public in 1940. The east side, however, served as a landfill until 1970. Ferry Point Park stands as a testament to transformation, from a bustling ferry landing and resort to a tranquil park commemorating a national tragedy. Today, the park offers a revitalized waterfront, modern amenities, and the echoes of a layered past, all while offering breathtaking views of the East River.