Mosholu Parkway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Mosholu Parkway highlighted in red
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| Route information | |
| Maintained by NYCDOT | |
| Length | 3.03 mi (4.88 km) |
| Restrictions | No trucks, trailers, or buses. |
| Major junctions | |
| South end |  Bronx River Parkway / Allerton Avenue in Bronx Park |
 I-87 in Van Cortlandt Park |
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| North end |   Henry Hudson Parkway / Saw Mill River Parkway in Van Cortlandt Park |
| Location | |
| Counties: | Bronx |
| Highway system | |
| Numbered highways in New York Interstate • U.S. • N.Y. (former) • Reference • County |
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Mosholu Parkway is a special road in the Bronx, a part of New York City. It's a mix of a fast highway and a regular street. This road was built between 1935 and 1937. It was part of a big plan by Robert Moses to create many new roads.
The parkway is about 3 miles (4.8 km) long. It stretches from the New York Botanical Garden to Van Cortlandt Park. The New York City Department of Transportation takes care of the road itself. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation looks after the green areas around it. The parkway also has a secret official name: New York State Route 908F.
What is Mosholu Parkway Like?
Mosholu Parkway starts near the Bronx River Parkway. It travels north through the Bronx. It goes through areas like Bedford Park. Along the way, it crosses important streets. These include the Grand Concourse and Jerome Avenue.
When the parkway reaches Van Cortlandt Park, it becomes more like a true highway. Here, you can find exits for other major roads. These include the Major Deegan Expressway and the Henry Hudson Parkway. The Mosholu Parkway ends near the border of Westchester County. At this point, it turns into the Saw Mill River Parkway.
A Path for Bikes and Walkers
A special path for bikes and walkers runs next to the parkway. This path is part of the East Coast Greenway. It goes from Bronx Park all the way to Van Cortlandt Park. This path connects to other trails and sports fields. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Mosholu" has a bit of a mystery. People aren't fully sure where it came from.
Meaning of "Mosholu"
One idea is that "Mosholu" comes from an Algonquin word. This word might mean "smooth stones" or "small stones." It was first used for a nearby stream. This stream is now called Tibbetts Brook. There was also another stream nearby called Schuil Brook. It ran under what is now Middlebrook Road. This stream provided water to a British fort during the American Revolutionary War.
Another idea is that "Mosholu" is a shorter version of a chief's name. This chief was Mushulatubbee from the Choctaw people. The Choctaw did not live in New York. But Mushulatubbee was famous for helping the U.S. during the War of 1812. Two ships were even named after him. One was the SS Moshulu. This ship's name was thought to mean fearless in the Seneca language.
How the Parkway Came to Be
The idea for Mosholu Parkway started a long time ago.
Early Plans for Parks
In the 1870s, a landscape architect named Frederick Law Olmsted had a vision. He imagined a "greenbelt" across the Bronx. This would be a system of parks and parkways. They would follow the natural shape of the land. But in 1877, the city did not act on his plan.
Around the same time, a newspaper editor named John Mullaly pushed for new parks. He especially liked the lands of the Van Cortlandt and Pell families. In 1881, he started the New York Park Association. Some people didn't like the idea. They thought the parks would be too far from Manhattan. They also worried it would stop building on those lands. But supporters worked hard. They got a bill passed in the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
The New Parks Act
In June 1884, Governor Grover Cleveland signed the New Parks Act. This law allowed the park system to be created. The system included three parkways and six parks. Bronx Park was at the center.
Mosholu Parkway connected Bronx Park to Van Cortlandt Park. Pelham Parkway connected Bronx Park to Pelham Bay Park. And Crotona Parkway connected Bronx Park to Crotona Park. This network helped create green spaces for the growing city.
Modernizing the Parkway
The Mosholu Parkway was rebuilt between 1935 and 1937. During this time, the entire road was made wider. The section from the Saw Mill to Gun Hill Road was improved. The busy intersection at Jerome Avenue was replaced with an overpass. This helped traffic flow better. A wide grassy area was also added in the middle of the road. This was between Marion Avenue and Grand Concourse.
Images for kids
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Mosholu Parkway, seen from the Mosholu Parkway station on the IRT Jerome Avenue Line.
