Riverdale Park

I can only base my review of Riverdale Park as it was in the bygone era of my childhood.
It was an overgrown jungle. Two paths ran parallel and you could not see one path from the other or to the houses alongside the park or to the river except at places where the park trail opened up or dropped down to provide look out points over or access to the rail line.
The trails continued a bit further past the lot before hitting houses. I remember a stream and maybe a stone road trestle? Dark forest out that way. Bad juju.
There was an old rusted out car in the middle of the greener woods. Lots of vines and berries of all colors depending on the season.
In one spot you could drop down to the rail line and leave pennies or dimes in the tracks. They would ping and fly off flattened at least partially after the train went by.
There was a smallish parking area below Wave Hill (a gorgeous botanical garden above the park) and the Riverdale School River Campus. There were also a few spots by 25^th street above the Riverdale train station.
Massive tree trunks kept autos, motorbikes and mountain bikers from entering. although I may have mountain biked on the trail a time or two. before mountain biking was a thing. Trail riding I think we called it. the trunks got a bit smaller over the years as they rotted.
There was poison ivy. An element of danger. And you could be totally lost in another wild green world in the park.
There were various ruins in the park. You could wonder what was there with only foundations remaining. anyone know the park’s history? Back in the day you could also walk along the Hudson River via the Riverdale Train Station overpass. It was always a bit burnt wood smelling, sometimes because the wood in it had been burned. It also had a woody pee smell to it. But there was always a breeze by the river. And the tingling electric sound of the trains as they approached and roared by. Whisking brokers from Nyack and Connecticut to Penn Station and lower Manhattan so they could peddle derivatives and AOL stock. This time it was different. a new era.
As I got older the park was cleaned up and changed. :) Hopefully it is great now too. I’m afraid to look. I saw some of the changes at the beginning. Wasn’t the same.

The park is a hidden gem. Riverdale has many beautiful places and this is one of them. Come and explore! I love Riverdale so much. Growing up here and having the opportunity to enjoy the beauty is and was a joy.

This is a cute little park. A bit tough to get to, but since you’ll be hiking anyway, I don’t think it should be a problem.
Get off at 231 Street on the 1 train and navigate west until you make your way to the southern end of the park at 232 street and Palisades ave. You will see the transition from a gritty inner-​city area into a pleasant, suburban-​like neighborhood with extravagant homes.
The park itself makes for a very fun hike that is perfect for beginners due to the lack of real physical challenge. There aren’t any inclines or anything, so it’s good for anybody. The park is about the width of a city block. Looking to one side, you can see homes and a fence through the trees, and if you look to the other side, you will see the beautiful Hudson river and the New Jersey palisades.
The park isn’t continuous; there is a section (roughly at the middle point) where a group of family homes are built. You will have to make your way back to the street to re-​enter the park on the other side of these homes. The trail continues until you hit 254 street, which features the exclusive Riverdale Yacht Club and the Riverdale metro-​north rail station, about a block west of the park exit. You can relax here and look up the Hudson river, where you are able to see the Tappan Zee bridge in the distance on a clear day, and some gorgeous foliage if you make the trip around late October.
All in all, this was a great, quiet little mid-​morning hike that gives you a taste of the beautiful nature of the southern Hudson valley without requiring you to even leave the city. If you want a more extensive hiking experience, take the Metro-​North to Breakneck Ridge, or just drive to Harriman State Park!

Beautiful, beautiful!
Such a pleasant surprise. I come here as often as I can. I’ve taken many hour long walks here on sweltering summer days. It’s a good 10 degrees cooler here under the vast canopy of trees.
I got caught in a thunderstorm here this summer and although it wasn’t the safest place to be, it was surely the most enchantingly beautiful.
I can go on and on about this wondrous place!

I never expected to find such an awesome park along the Hudson river and the Metro North train tracks. This park is not filled with swings, gates, or water fountains for children to play in. This is the truest definition of the word park– its just you and nature. Trees surround you in every direction as does the beauty of nature envelops you. If you have a pet who would enjoy a long 2 mileish hike, this is the perfect dog-​walking experience for you and your canine. Intermittent parts of the park offers seating but really, this is a true hike around in dirt, type of park. Some of the views of the Hudson and NJ are delightful and you’ll also get to check out Riverdale’s exclusive Yacht club from afar. It’s just one of those places where you can practice cross-​country jogging, walk with your pet or enjoy a day outdoors being one with nature.
When the greens are lush and overgrown, please becareful of the poison ivy. And finally, if you bring garbage into this park, take it out with you when you leave. Trash cans do not exist and its better for the environment if we do our part to minimize litter.

4.5 stars…
I’m only taking ½ a star off because despite bordering the Hudson River you can’t go down and sit by the river as there’s train tracks right next to the water with a fence keeping you from getting to them. Despite this one downside this park is awesome.
Like Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, Riverdale park is all natural woodlands. Partly due to the parks narrow shape there’s primarily one wide path through the woods that goes the length of it. The park is about 1 ¼ miles by about 400feet. There aren’t any benches but occasionally there’s a log to take a rest on. At the northern end of the park is a fire pit, I’m sure you’re not allowed to be having fires here but by the looks of it, I don’t think that rule has been followed.
Riverdale Park is the first and only place I’ve been to in NYC where I’ve been surrounded by nature and if I listen closely there’s no whisper of traffic in the distance, only the sound of a gentle breeze and birds. This is because there’s only the river to the west and the gorgeous and surprisingly un-​NYC like neighborhood of Riverdale to the east. It’s worth driving/​walking/​biking around this neighbored and checking out the mansions while you’re up there. Wave Hill gardens is also in the area, a worthwhile visit (especially if time it with one of their free times) It was very relaxing park/​area and I’ll be sure to be back.

Spontaneously decided to visit this park and was pleasantly suprised. It’s not a flat park and I don’t recall seeing a swingset. We saw a few dogs (and their owners) but for the most part, there was no one in the park when we walked through. It feels like you’re not in the Bronx. The Hudson line of the Metro North wisks by on the west side of the park. There are several downed trees that the parks dept has turned in to seating areas (it seems).
We will be back!

«Park» often invokes visions of jungle gyms, swings, noisy happy children frolicking in sprinklers… not the case here.
Nestled in between Palisade Ave and the Hudson River for much of the length of Riverdale, this is really just a long strip of trees and wilderness with some paths carved out for walking, jogging, or dog walking.
If you do come here for a jog, be warned that the paths are not at all flat, and not formally maintained, so you’ll occasionally be dodging bushes and branches, as well as aforementioned walkers and dogs. Not for everyone, but some of us really enjoy a more «off road» experience whilst running.
Also, there are no formal entrances — really just gaps along the fence where pathways begin.
That’s about all you get — but that’s how Riverdalians like it. Trees, trees and more trees.