Riverside Park

Riverside Park is a scenic, four-mile-long urban oasis stretching along the Hudson River on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, from 59th Street up to 158th Street. Originally conceived in 1865 and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and later expanded by Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons, the park is celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, rolling pathways, and sweeping river views. Its design blends naturalistic plantings, grand tree-lined promenades, and carefully crafted vistas, connecting visitors to both the beauty of the river and the city’s architectural heritage.

Over the decades, Riverside Park has grown to include an array of recreational facilities, monuments, and community spaces—such as the 79th Street Rotunda and Marina, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, and the General Grant National Memorial (Grant’s Tomb). The park has undergone numerous expansions and renovations, including significant improvements during the 1930s that added the esplanade, boat basins, and the Henry Hudson Parkway, as well as the recent addition of Riverside Park South near the former railroad yards.

Today, Riverside Park is one of only eight officially designated scenic landmarks in New York City, offering New Yorkers and visitors alike a peaceful retreat for walking, biking, sports, cultural events, and relaxation, all with the backdrop of the Hudson River and the dramatic Manhattan skyline576 nycgovparks.org