Imagine a ribbon of green unfurling along Manhattan’s Upper West Side. That’s Riverside Park. It’s more than just a park. It’s a testament to urban planning and community spirit.
Riverside Park stretches for four miles. It spans from 72nd to 158th Streets. This scenic landmark offers respite from the city’s frenetic pace.
In 1865, William R. Martin envisioned a park here. He was a parks commissioner. The area was then a rugged, undeveloped waterfront. Frederick Law Olmsted, co-designer of Central Park, took on the challenge. He designed a park that embraced the natural landscape.
Construction began in 1874. Olmsted was ousted in 1877. Designers like Calvert Vaux shaped the park. They made it resemble the Hudson Valley. Riverside Avenue opened in 1880. It quickly became popular.
The New York Central Railroad posed a problem. It cut off access to the river. Robert Moses, in the 1930s, revolutionized the park. He covered the tracks with an esplanade and recreational facilities. This was part of the West Side Improvement project.
Riverside Park became part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. It’s a route for pedestrians and cyclists. The Riverside Park Conservancy supports the park’s maintenance.
The park wasn’t always upscale. Squatters’ shacks and garbage dumps existed into the 1920s. Monuments began appearing in the early 1900s. Grant’s Tomb and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument marked a shift. The park became more than just a natural space.
Riverside Park’s expansion continued. The Riverside Drive Viaduct extended the park northward. Landfill projects created more parkland. The Women’s League for the Protection of Riverside Park advocated for recreation.
Even as the park grew, the New York Central Railroad expanded. Disputes arose. The community viewed the railroad as a nuisance. Electrification of railroads became mandatory in 1924. Plans for a waterfront parkway emerged.
Robert Moses halted McKim, Mead & White’s parkway plan. He saw it as inaccessible. Moses’s plan moved the parkway to the shorefront. It became the Henry Hudson Parkway. This created a contiguous park area. Recreation became a focus. Playgrounds and tennis courts were added.
After Moses’s improvements, few changes occurred for decades. By the 1970s, neglect and vandalism were common. A plan to build Westway threatened the parkland.
In 1980, Riverside Park became a city landmark. It earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The Friends of Riverside Park formed in 1979. They worked to restore the park.
Donald Trump proposed a massive development south of Riverside Park in the 1980s. He eventually agreed to a smaller plan. Riverside Park South was born. It added 25 acres to the park.
Today, Riverside Park faces challenges. Faulty drainage systems and deterioration persist. Yet, its rich history and vibrant present make it a treasure.
Consider the park’s tiers. Riverside Drive, the promenade, and the waterfront esplanade each serve a purpose. Paths wind through greenery. Riverside Walk extends the park’s length. Cherry Walk delights with its cherry trees.
Riverside Park hosts diverse wildlife. A bird sanctuary exists between 116th and 124th Streets. Monuments and statues dot the landscape. The Amiable Child Monument and the Eleanor Roosevelt Monument stand as testaments to history.
The 79th Street Boat Basin and Rotunda offer marine access. The Peter Jay Sharp Volunteer House supports park operations. Play areas abound. Riverside Skatepark attracts skateboarders.
The Riverside Park Conservancy maintains the park. It offers educational and cultural programs. The Robert M. Morgenthau Citizenship Award recognizes service to the park.
Subway and bus lines provide easy access. Riverside Park continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of New York City. It is a testament to what vision and community action can achieve.