Riverside Park New York: The Hidden Gem

One would be hard pressed to think of any New York City parks other than the famous Central Park. The truth of the matter is that NYC is the same as any other metropolis; it operates parks large, small, and every size in-between. Just because Central Park is the crown jewel of the system does not mean there are no other gems in the collection. A worthy contender, Riverside Park New York does not compete with Central Park, but rather, complements it.

The park is a four-mile strip of Manhattan land running along the left bank of the Hudson River. Originally a devastated wasteland of industrial pollutants spewed by countless trains, Riverside was transformed into a garden through the imaginative vision of many forward-looking New Yorkers. A notable high point in that transformation came in the 1930s, when the train rails were placed inside a manmade tunnel underneath the park, causing no more damage to the environment above.

Despite Riverside’s relative obscurity, there are many famous monuments and spots of public interest within its boundaries. Among these is Grant’s Tomb, the final resting place for the victorious commander-in-chief of the Union Army and later President of the United States. Other famous monuments include Joan of Arc, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Like most parks, Riverside is also home to many recreational opportunities for the public. A kayak-launching ramp provides access to the Hudson, as does a yacht basin. Baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and the scenic Hudson River Greenway for biking, skating and jogging provide some of the many attractions for park visitors.

Furthermore, Riverside provides a home for many community gardens, and is looked after by a veritable army of private donors and volunteers. These efforts supplement the official park budget with countless hours of free labor and millions of dollars in annual contributions. If love is any standard of greatness, Riverside Park New York must rank high in any pantheon of the nation’s recreational playgrounds.