Written and original art by Dennis Harvell
🌊 Pelham Bay Park & City Island
At the northeastern edge of the Bronx, where the urban grid dissolves into salt marshes and shoreline, lies Pelham Bay Park—the single largest public park in New York City. Spanning over 2,700 acres, its sheer scale and ecological diversity make it the monumental finale to the “Green Lungs” series, offering everything from vast tidal wetlands and woodlands to three miles of scenic coastline.
Created in 1888, the park was meticulously preserved from development, ensuring that this extensive stretch of natural habitat would forever belong to the public. It is a refuge for wildlife and a vital recreation area, featuring the historic Orchard Beach, a crescent-shaped “Riviera of New York,” designed by Robert Moses. Beyond the famous beach, the park is crisscrossed by hiking trails, boasts the 19th-century splendor of the Bartow-Pell Mansion, and contains the only golf courses in the Bronx.
Just beyond the park’s main landmass lies City Island, a tiny maritime gem often called “New England in New York.” Connected to the Bronx by a single bridge, City Island operates at a different pace, defined by its sailing community, boatyards, and seafood restaurants. Its unique culture, focused on the water and the shipbuilding trade, feels worlds away from the mainland, offering a unique glimpse into a specialized, tightly-knit Bronx community.
Together, Pelham Bay Park and City Island represent the essential interface between the Bronx and the sea. The park acts as an ecological powerhouse, providing vital habitat for migratory birds and serving as a crucial environmental buffer. Meanwhile, City Island retains a tenacious, independent spirit rooted in nautical tradition. This final piece of the “Green Lungs” series celebrates the largest, wildest, and most unique coastal spaces that shape the identity of the Bronx.
👇 Want to learn more about Pelham Bay Park?
1 comment