Bronx Park

Bronx Park is a 718-acre park along the Bronx River in the central Bronx, one of the largest parks in New York City. The park is divided between two world-renowned institutions: the Bronx Zoo (occupying the southern portion) and the New York Botanical Garden (occupying the northern portion), with additional parkland along the river between them.

The park was established in 1888 when the city acquired the land to preserve the natural beauty of the Bronx River valley. The decision to locate both the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden within the park created an unparalleled concentration of natural and scientific resources within a single urban green space.

The portions of Bronx Park outside the zoo and garden boundaries include athletic fields, playgrounds, walking trails along the Bronx River, and natural areas with mature forest. The Bronx River, which flows through the park, is the only true freshwater river in New York City and has been the subject of extensive restoration efforts.

The Bronx River Alliance coordinates ongoing efforts to restore the river's ecological health, removing invasive species, stabilizing stream banks, and improving water quality. The river, once one of the most polluted waterways in the city, has seen significant recovery and now supports fish, birds, and even an occasional beaver.

Bronx Park's 718 acres of natural landscape, world-class institutions, and riverfront habitat make it one of the most significant parks in the entire city. For the neighborhoods that surround it, the park provides daily access to nature, culture, and recreation that rivals any park in the five boroughs.