Harlem River Greenway (Bronx)

Aerial image of the High Bridge, depicting the highway that divides Bronx residents from the Harlem River in the background of the image.

 

Harlem River Greenway (Bronx) - Public Outreach Events Recap

Events are listed from most recent (2025) to least recent (2023).

 

Round 3: Implementation Plan (Spring 2025)

 

In the spring of 2025, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) hosted the third and final round of Harlem River Greenway engagement as the city developed an implementation plan for the seven-mile cycling and walking route and new open space from Van Cortlandt Park to Randall’s Island Park. As the culmination of more than two years of community engagement and planning alongside New York City Parks & Recreation and the Economic Development Corporation, NYC DOT unveiled the full proposed route as well as a series of projects for the greenway. The events consisted of a brief presentation followed by an open house where participants discussed greenway projects with Department of Transportation planners.

The events were held:

  • Monday, March 24, 2025: Bronx Ale House, 216 W 238th St, Bronx, NY

  • Tuesday, April 1, 2025: Bronx Brewery, 856 E 136th St, Bronx, NY 

  • Monday, April 7, 2025: 6-8pm, virtually

You can view the presentation from these events here.
 

 

Round 2: Route Alternatives (Spring 2024)

 

As the planning process continued, NYC DOT sought to ensure the plan reflected the community's priorities. After a year of research and outreach, NYC DOT presented proposed route alternatives to connect Van Cortlandt Park to Randall's Island to Bronx community members.

NYC DOT hosted four workshops (two in-person and two virtual) in March and April of 2024 to gather community feedback.

Workshops were held:

Wednesday, March 13, Bronx Community College (planning area: Van Cortlandt Park to the High Bridge) 

View the presentation from the March 13 workshop.

Tuesday, March 19, Bronx Brewery (planning area: High Bridge to Randall's Island Park)

View the presentation from the March 19 workshop.

Wednesday, April 3, virtually (planning area: Van Cortlandt Park to the High Bridge) - presentation above

Monday, April 8, virtually (planning area: High Bridge to Randall's Island Park) -presentation above

Harlem River Greenway (Bronx) Online Public Workshops

Round 1: Existing Conditions (Spring 2023)

 

In 2023, NYC DOT initiated a planning process to develop a 7-mile Harlem River Greenway in The Bronx, creating a continuous walking and cycling connection between Van Cortland Park and Randall’s Island. The implementation plan aims to better connect Bronxites to their waterfront and provide a critical north-south bike commuting corridor. Bronxites helped shape the plan through a community-based process, which began with three online public workshops in April 2023.

Each workshop collected community feedback focused on existing conditions within the geographic area of three potential greenway segments:

Tuesday, April 18: Van Cortlandt Park to University Heights Bridge
View the presentation from the April 18 Workshop.

View the presentation from the April 18 Workshop in Spanish.

Wednesday, April 19: University Heights Bridge to Macombs Dam Bridge
View the presentation from the April 19 Workshop.

View the presentation from the April 19 Workshop in Spanish.

Wednesday, April 26: Macombs Dam Bridge to Randall’s Island Connector
View the presentation from the April 26 Workshop.

Background

Bronx communities along the Harlem River are disconnected from the waterfront and have long voiced the desire for a continuous greenway and connection to upland neighborhoods as a priority.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, The New York City Economic Development Corporation, and the Department of Environmental Protection, is currently undertaking a community-based process to develop a plan for closing the gaps in the Harlem River Waterfront Greenways in the Bronx. The Harlem River Greenway—when complete—will be a continuous 7-mile transportation corridor connecting Van Cortlandt Park to Randall’s Island.

About the Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan

 

  • The Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan will outline a comprehensive strategy to create a continuous and accessible path by identifying a series of short-term and long-term projects along the Harlem River.

  • NYC DOT is working with community members to identify and address high priority gaps through Street Improvement Projects, building support for larger capital projects and momentum for the entire plan.

 

On a map of the western Bronx where it borders the Harlem River, a multicolored arrow illustrates two portions of a future Harlem River Greenway in the Bronx: 1) Van Cortlandt Park to the High Bridge, and 2) the High Bridge to Randall's Island Park.