Northern Manhattan Parks 2030 Master Plan Big Ideas and Concepts

We identified the Big Ideas that will make the most difference and prepared Concept diagrams that describe how they can be accomplished feasibly and economically.

Health

78% of health costs nation-wide are related to lifestyle. This community’s health would improve if we provided more opportunities for active recreation, walking and biking.

Active Recreation and Amenities

Add eight comfort stations, three playgrounds and four soccer fields
Add seven healthy food and drink concessions
Add adventure areas including a skate park and rock climbing area
Improve the condition of all sports fields

View the Active Recreation and Amenities concept

Bike Path Connectivity

Connect the middle-level path through Highbridge Park
Extend and improve critical cross-town and Bronx on-street bicycle routes including the Putnam line to Westchester

View the Bike Path Connectivity concept

Waterfront Access

Extend shoreline walkways
Improve access to shoreline walkways with signalized intersections and ADA ramps
Create a Hudson River dock at Dyckman Street’s west end with mooring field, pier and café
Provide six locations for small boat launching and storage

View the Waterfront Access concept

Ecology

Invasive vines and trees are damaging the Parks’ ecological health, and historic landscapes as well as the community’s perception of safety and level of park use.

Landscape and Forest Restoration

Fort Washington Park - Restore forest health, improve access and active recreation
Fort Tryon Park - Restore the Olmsted Brothers landscape historic structures and forest composition, improve play areas
Inwood and Isham Parks - Restore ecologies, creeks, marshes and scenic views
Highbridge Park - Restore forest health and internal views, create opportunities for adventure recreation in nature
Create high and low marshes, restore creeks
Connect parks with ecological corridors
Improve forest health and ecological diversity

View the Ecological Restoration concept

Community

Expanding recreational opportunities at Highbridge Recreation Center, Anne Loftus Playground and J. Hood Wright Park would improve community health, economic prosperity and family happiness.

Community Connectivity and Attractions

Connect communities to their parks and attractions with green corridors on 158th, 174th, Dyckman, 204th, and 218th Streets.
Make Highbridge Recreation Center a year-round recreation attraction
Strengthen Anne Loftus Playground identity as the community piazza
Strengthen J. Hood Wright Park’s identity as the community gathering space

View the Community Focal Points concept