Soundview Park Hiking Trails

Soundview Park sits today where the Bronx River opens into the East River, though when the city originally acquired the area, it was composed of marshland and open water. The area was used as a landfill from the 1920s through the 1960s, resulting in poor quality soil and trace levels of contamination that linger in some areas despite the impressive restoration efforts that created the park as we know it. Today, paths weave around sports fields, through coastal woodlands, past maritime grasslands, and along Bronx River and East River. These areas are rich with wildlife – great soaring birds such as bald eagles and red-tailed hawks; sea birds including buffleheads, brants, and great blue herons; furry friends including possums and skunks; and even box turtles and wall lizards.

Bronx River Greenway: Enjoy a walk or bike ride on the Bronx River Greenway where the Bronx River meets the East River. You may begin your visit at the intersection of O'Brien Ave and Leland Ave. Follow the bike path here past salt marsh on one side and grassland on the other. After 0.33 of a mile, you will pass the Soundview Amphitheater on your right. After this, keep left at the next intersection then continue straight to stay along the river. As you walk, you will find several opportunities to rest or overlook the river. After a another mile, for approximately 1.75 miles total, you will come to the Butterfly Meditation Garden in the northwest corner of the park. You can stop here and enjoy the blooms or continue along the 20+ mile long Bronx River Greenway, which extends from the mouth of the Bronx River at Soundview Park past the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, and Woodlawn Cemetery and into Westchester County. For more information about the Greenway, visit our Bronx River Greenway page or the Bronx River Alliance's page.

Interactive Map

Points of Interest

Butterfly Meditation Garden

Friends of Soundview Park have worked with the New York Restoration Project to create a planted oasis, where raised mulch paths wind through the blooms. Some beds contain native plants, which support native butterflies, while other beds have a horticultural focus, and feature beautiful and popular garden plants such as hostas, hydrangeas, and much more.

View Butterfly Meditation Garden on the map

River Overlook

This row of benches is perfectly placed at the water’s edge. South of this point, the Bronx River widens considerably as it meets the East River. Visitors can watch nearby waterfowl or even air traffic from LaGuardia Airport across the water.

View River Overlook on the map

Hiking in NYC Parks

Visit our Hiking in NYC Parks page to find more nature trails in parks across New York City.