Fort Washington Park

Fort Washington Park is a 160-acre park stretching along the Hudson River on the west side of Washington Heights, from West 155th Street to Dyckman Street. It is one of the largest parks in Manhattan and contains some of the island's most dramatic natural terrain, with steep wooded slopes descending from the ridgeline to the riverbank.

The park takes its name from Fort Washington, the Revolutionary War fortification that stood atop the heights above. The fall of Fort Washington to British and Hessian forces in November 1776 was one of the most devastating defeats of the war, and the park's landscape preserves the steep terrain that gave the position its strategic value.

The park's most beloved feature is the Little Red Lighthouse, a 40-foot steel lighthouse that sits beneath the George Washington Bridge at the river's edge. Officially the Jeffrey's Hook Light, it was built in 1880 and relocated to this site in 1921. It became famous through the 1942 children's book by Hildegarde Swift, which helped save it from demolition when the bridge rendered it obsolete.

Fort Washington Park includes athletic fields, tennis courts, a community garden, walking and cycling paths, and a popular dog run. The park connects to the Hudson River Greenway, the continuous waterfront path that extends along most of Manhattan's western shoreline.

The George Washington Bridge, one of the most heavily trafficked bridges in the world, spans the Hudson River from the park's northern section, and the bridge's massive stone tower rises from within the park's boundaries. The interplay between the engineering marvel of the bridge and the natural landscape of the park creates one of Manhattan's most striking visual contrasts.

Fort Washington Park's combination of Revolutionary War history, natural topography, literary landmarks, and waterfront recreation makes it one of the most layered and rewarding parks in Manhattan, offering experiences that range from serene riverside strolls to vigorous hikes along wooded ridgelines.