Information
Landmark: Bronx River ParkwayCity: Bronx
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, USA New York, North America
Overview
The Bronx River Parkway ranks among New York’s most storied and beautiful drives, where winding lanes slip past oak trees and open sky, weaving travel into the landscape itself.It winds through the Bronx and into Westchester County, known as one of the nation’s earliest parkways, and helped shape roadway design in the early 1900s.Today, it’s still a busy route for commuters and a favorite for nature lovers, giving passersby a rare look at how bridges and green spaces have grown together over time.The Bronx River Parkway made history as America’s first limited-access highway, a milestone in transportation that once carried Model T Fords beneath rows of towering oaks.In 1907, Robert Moses-an influential force in shaping New York City-first floated the idea for the parkway, envisioning tree-lined curves and open sky.Moses pictured a road linking the Bronx and Westchester, one that could move traffic smoothly while weaving through the area’s trees and rocky hillsides.Back then, the parkway’s design broke the mold-graceful curves, sweeping past oak trees, felt like nothing else on the road.It was the first highway in the country to have a grassy median dividing oncoming lanes, and among the earliest parkways built with only a few entry points, steering clear of intersections that could slow the drive.The Bronx River Parkway ran beside the Bronx River, winding through the Bronx River Parkway Reservation-a leafy stretch of parkland designed to blend the road seamlessly into its surroundings.Crews finished the road bit by bit, laying fresh asphalt section after section.The first stretch opened in 1925, linking the Bronx to Yonkers, and by 1931 the last piece through Westchester County was finished.They wrapped up the southern extension into the Bronx in 1952, laying the last section of track that summer.Over the years, the parkway grew wider and sleeker, yet its graceful curves and old stone guardrails still echo the original vision.In 1991, the Bronx River Parkway earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, honored for its rich history and the way its winding curves still echo an earlier era of driving.Back in 1992, New York officially named it a Scenic Byway, highlighting its beauty, rich history, and the cultural stories woven into every curve of the road.The parkway’s design broke new ground, drawing on the Garden City and City Beautiful movements to weave city life into the quiet green of nature, like tree-lined curves leading toward sunlit lawns.Running alongside the Bronx River Parkway, the Reservation offers a leafy stretch with quiet walking paths, smooth bike trails, and shady spots perfect for a picnic.The parkway winds through shady woods and along quiet riverbanks, echoing the early 20th‑century dream of making a drive feel peaceful and scenic-even in the heart of the city.The parkway was one of the earliest to feature limited access, using interchanges and tall concrete overpasses to keep traffic flowing without sudden stops.Landscape Integration: The parkway follows the lay of the land, bending gently around oak trees, winding beside the river, and rising with the hills instead of flattening or reshaping them.The design turns the parkway into a scenic drive, with glimpses of lush trees and the winding Bronx River.The design includes several bridges and overpasses, among them pedestrian spans where visitors can stroll above the parkway, watching cars stream by without ever slowing the flow.The parkway stretches 22 feet across, with four lanes winding through the Bronx, linking neighborhoods and leading to parks where the scent of freshly cut grass drifts in the air.At its northern tip, the parkway ends at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County, where it joins the Taconic State Parkway beside the dam’s broad stone wall.The Bronx River Parkway Reservation adds both environmental value and a chance to enjoy the outdoors-it’s part of what makes driving that stretch feel alive, with trees leaning over the road and the river running alongside.A stretch of green runs alongside the road, offering everything from quiet spots to toss a frisbee to open paths for a brisk walk.The reservation offers paths for walking, biking, and jogging, plus shady picnic spots, making it a favorite hangout for locals and visitors alike.The parkway traces the edge of the Bronx River, where sunlight glints off the water and herons linger in the shallows, giving travelers both scenic views and a chance to spot local wildlife.Along the parkway, you’ll spot tall grasses swaying in the breeze, hear the chatter of migratory birds overhead, and catch glimpses of small mammals darting through a rich mix of plant life.The trees, wildflowers, and fresh breeze give the parkway its charm and offer a quiet retreat from the city’s constant hum.Along the parkway, you’ll find several recreation spots with benches, picnic tables, and wide grassy stretches-perfect for spreading out a blanket and soaking up the fresh air.The parkway was built to weave nature into the flow of traffic, a bold idea back then that still shapes how it works today-trees arch over the road like green tunnels.In the past few years, crews have worked to modernize the parkway-repaving worn stretches and updating signs-while keeping its old stone bridges and historic charm intact.In 2024, a new safety system began shutting down low-lying stretches of the parkway whenever heavy rain pounded the pavement or floodwaters rose.This updated approach is designed to keep drivers safe while safeguarding the area’s natural surroundings, especially with the parkway running so close to the Bronx River and its leafy banks.People have worked to bring the Bronx River back to life, cleaning up its water and adding pockets of green along the banks where wildflowers sway in the breeze.Thanks to these restoration projects, people can now reach the river more easily, slip a kayak into the water, and watch herons glide low over the reeds.Driving the Bronx River Parkway, you’ll pass several great spots worth a stop, like the Bronx Zoo-just a short hop from the road, where the roar of a lion might carry across the trees.You can reach it by taking the parkway, and once there, you’ll have the chance to roam among deer trails and untouched natural habitats.The New York Botanical Garden sits just off the parkway, a celebrated haven filled with sprawling plant collections and seasonal displays bursting with color.Kensico Dam Plaza sits at the parkway’s northern end, where you can take in sweeping views of the Kensico Reservoir and join in on seasonal festivals or community gatherings.Getting to the Bronx River Parkway is simple-hop on a train, or drive straight in and watch the trees blur past your window.If you’re driving, it links up with several roads and highways, offering an easy path for commuters heading from the Bronx to Westchester County and farther north, past rows of maple trees lining the way.You can join the route from several spots, but big trucks aren’t allowed on the parkway, so the drive stays calm and steady, with only the hum of car tires on the pavement.Public Transit: Several local bus routes run along the parkway, so it’s easy to catch a ride-just listen for the hiss of the doors as the bus pulls up.
