On August 13, 2025, New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) released "Greater Greenways: NYC Greenway Plan". The report captures the state of the city's 15 existing greenway systems, and outlines a detailed vision for expanding the network across the City.
The report is divided into two chapters: (1) Greenways of Today and (2) Greenways of Tomorrow. The first chapter presents the current state of greenways in NYC by defining and mapping the 506 miles of existing bicycle and pedestrian corridors. The plan then examines greenways’ myriad benefits, including increasing transportation options, enhancing safety, encouraging active transportation, expanding access to green space, improving air quality, supporting economic growth, and creating new connections to job hubs and commercial districts. This section also includes detailed maps that capture the 15 current greenway systems and their respective jurisdictions, as well as current closures and detours.
The second chapter outlines the City's vision and goals. Among the key goals are:
- Enhancing NYC’s transportation network
- Promoting social equity and accessibility
- Supporting health and wellness
- Fortifying environmental resilience
- Fostering economic growth
The plan then identifies specific gaps in the city’s existing greenway network and describes current work (particularly in the Bronx and Queens) to establish new corridors. For the first time, the plan allows New Yorkers to see more than 100 planned and underway greenway capital projects—providing unprecedented transparency. The plan also summarizes design features that ensure the greenway network can be accessible to all users.
“For the first time in over 30 years, New York City has a cohesive, citywide vision for its greenway network, which centers equity, accountability, and community,” said Councilmember Carlina Rivera, who co-sponsored the 2022 local law that catalyzed the report. “With this plan, we’re not just building bike paths or walking trails—we’re investing in public health, climate resilience, and the daily joy of being able to move through a healthier and more connected city. I’m proud to have championed this legislation alongside dedicated transportation advocates and look forward to seeing it improve communities across the five boroughs."
You can read the full press release here.