Riverside Park (72nd Street)

By Car

Exit off route 9a/ West side Highway at 72nd Street

By Mass Transit

Closest subway station is 72nd Street on the 1/2/3 train lines. Walk west on 72nd Street, cross into park under the tunnel, down the stairs and down to the waterfront. Launch site is a bit south of the bottom of the stairs.

George Washington Bridge and around:
1. Paddle north on the Hudson from 72nd street, up the NY side, toward the magnificent GWB. Rest stops along the way might include the 79th street boat basin, the soon to be opened 125th street pier (adjacent to fairway supermarket), and the small beach just south of the bridge, around 165th street. The beach is easily accessible at low water, and from there you can take a short walk through the park to visit the Little Red Lighthouse of children’s book fame, which stands just under the bridge.
2. The Statue of Liberty is about 6 miles from 72nd Street. This paddle would be suitable for solid intermediate or advanced paddlers due to current, weather and traffic issues.

Sanctuaries

Hudson River Park, an estuarine sanctuary, is located south of the site, running from 50th Street to Chambers Street in Tribeca. Its waters are navigable by human-powered boat and they will have 3 community boathouses operating at 56th, 44th and 26th Street, all of which are designated public landing and launch sites

No Access Areas

Cruise ship terminals at 46th through 52nd street and south of the launch site, have a coast guard restricted zone of 100 yards around them.

Restrictive Conditions

There is a sunken ferry and other debris submerged near the launch site, so caution should be taken when launching at low water. The 79th street boat basin is 7 blocks north and while they are also a public launch and kayak friendly, use this throughout the day. Caution should also be used when paddling amongst the mooring balls associated with the 79th street facility. The mooring field generally stretches from about 70th street up to about 100th street. Paddlers should be aware of boats moving to and from moorings, as well as, empty mooring balls which can become partially submerged at various tide levels. There is a marine station for recycling at 59th street, which fills and launches barges, but infrequently. Paddlers should be aware.

Hazardous Launch/Landing Conditions

Submerged/sunken boats near launch can be an obstacle at low water, but are easily avoided with a bit of caution.

Currents

The Hudson River is a tidal estuary and the tide comes in and out twice each day, varying by about an hour each day. Consult local tide charts for high and low water times daily. Currents, which run in and out twice daily with the tides, can reach up to nearly 3 knots in each direction at maximum ebb and flood times.

Emergency Landing Points

Much of the river’s edge on the NY side of the Hudson is the vicinity of the launch site is a sea wall and the egress from the water is extremely difficult there:
1. 79th Street Boat Basin – 7 blocks north
2. 56th Street – 16 blocks south
3. 44th Street – 28 blocks south
4. Surfside 3 marina at Chelsea piers (20th street) private marina but should allow emergency landings
5. 125th street Pier
6. Small beach just shout of George Washington Bridge, more easily accessible at low water.
7. The Hudson River is approximately one mile wide at 72nd street and there are many private marinas on the NJ side which should allow landing in emergency situations.

Nearest Hospitals

St. Luke’s Roosevelt 428 West 59th Street (212-523-4000)