Bridge Park (Bronx) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridge Park |
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Southern end of the park
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Morris Heights and Highbridge, Bronx, New York City |
| Area | 7.16 acres (2.90 ha) |
| Operated by | NYC Parks |
Bridge Park is a cool park in the the Bronx, New York City. It's part of a bigger plan to connect parks along the Harlem River. The park's name comes from three big arch bridges nearby. These bridges link Manhattan and the Bronx. They are the Alexander Hamilton Bridge, Washington Bridge, and High Bridge.
Contents
Discovering Bridge Park's History
How the Park Land Was Gathered
The land for Bridge Park was slowly bought by New York City over many years. This happened between 1884 and 2011. The oldest part of the park is near the Washington Bridge on the Bronx side. Here, paths and steps went down from the bridge to the Harlem River.
The Vision of Washington Bridge
The idea for the Washington Bridge came from Parks Commissioner Andrew Haswell Green. He wanted to make New York City bigger and better. He saw the bridge as a symbol of how Manhattan and the Bronx were connected. The bridge was finished in 1889. It was named after America's first president, George Washington. This happened 100 years after he became president.
Changes Over Time
Later, big highways were built nearby. The Major Deegan Expressway was built in 1939. The Cross-Bronx Expressway (I-95) followed in 1955. These highways took up some of the parkland. They needed space for ramps connecting the Washington Bridge to the expressways.
From Dump to Park
Bridge Park is on a narrow strip of land. It's between the Harlem River and the Metro-North Railroad tracks. This area used to be an illegal dump and even a dog pound. It was hard to get to and not developed. But then, the City decided to turn unused waterfronts into parks. These new parks would connect neighborhoods. They would also offer places to launch canoes and learn about river wildlife. In May 2015, this half-mile strip opened to the public as Bridge Park. It now connects to Roberto Clemente State Park to its north.
What's Happening at Bridge Park Now?
Plans for Fun and Learning
The main plan for Bridge Park includes many fun things to do. There will be places for quiet relaxation and active play. You can expect educational areas too. These might include a boathouse and a place to launch canoes by the water. Further inland, there could be a greenhouse, a garden, and picnic spots. The park also plans to have a space for performances and bike trails.
Growing and Connecting
Bridge Park is still being developed. The community is helping to design it. The city is also buying more land. This will help connect Bridge Park with other parks along the Harlem River.
