Riverside Park

What was here before?

Riverside Park, one of only eight officially designated scenic landmarks in the City of New York, has a long and storied history.  The rugged bluffs and rocky outcroppings once descended directly to the Hudson River shore and were densely wooded during Native American habitation.  In 1846, the Hudson River Railroad was built, cutting through the forested hillside. 

How did this site become a green space?

Acknowledging the city’s expansion northward, Central Park Commissioner William R. Martin proposed in 1865 that a scenic drive and park be built on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The land between the heights and the railroad was the first portion to be acquired by the city, followed by the land between the heights and the railroad over the next two years.

Between 1935 and 1937, Riverside Park was extended westward beyond the railroad and expanded by filling the riverbed, as part of what was known as the West Side Improvement.  The Henry Hudson Parkway was built, and the sliver of land along the perimeter between the highway and the river was largely off-limits except to intrepid shore walkers, who created a “desire line” or unofficial footpath. 

Plans for a formalized paved and landscaped walkway and a bicycle route were drawn up in 1996, and Cherry Walk opened in 2001. The pathway connected south and north to existing waterfront promenades and completed a vital link in the Hudson River Greenway.  The project, which included an additional 35 cherry trees to the few existing, was funded by the Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and the State Environmental Quality Bond Act.   

Over time, tree roots caused heaving and cracking of the paving and erosion destabilized the shoreline. In 2025 Cherry Walk was repaved with asphalt and included a designated walkway and two-lane bike path.  Riprap was installed at selected areas of the riverfront to stabilize the water’s edge.

What is this green space named for?

The walk is named for the many cherry trees that grace this section of the park. 

Know Before You Go

West 79th Street Boat Basin

Riverside Park (79th Street)