This year marks 25 years since the Bronx River Alliance was started as a non-profit in 2001 by the Bronx River Working Group. Thanks to the unwavering support of volunteers, community leaders, donors, and partners, the Bronx River has been transformed, from a place once treated as a dumping ground into a thriving educational, ecological, and recreational resource for Bronx communities.
Over the past 25 years, together we’ve:
- Built, advocated, and cared for unique natural areas leading to over 24 new acres of parks and 26 acres of parks transformed through investment. Implemented the vision of our founders and dramatically improved waterfront access for local residents with new parks like Hunts Point Riverside and Concrete Plant Park.
- Restored, improved, and expanded existing parks such as Starlight Park, Bronx Park, and Muskrat Cove. Serving as a “Green Lung” that runs through the heart of the South Bronx, these critical greenspaces benefit communities through nature while improving long term climate resiliency. Examples include the unique floodplain forests in Bronx Forest and Muskrat Cove as well as the vibrant wetlands in Soundview and Starlight Park.
- Realized the vision of local residents with The Point CDC, the Bronx River Alliance worked with the local community and transformed an abandoned street into the area’s first waterfront park – Hunts Point Riverside Park. This park is an oasis that serves a community of over 20,000 residents and workers.
- Implemented the community vision of YMPJ, the Bronx River Alliance collaborated and transformed an abandoned concrete plant into an award-winning 7 acre waterfront park that is now home to NYC’s only food forest in a public park.
- In partnership with The Bronx Zoo, NYC Park’s Natural Resources Group, and elected officials we designed and built a fish ladder at the 182nd street dam in River Park. This “Fishway” reconnects breeding habitats for migratory fish which in turn have attracted dolphins to the Bronx River estuary.
- Completed a 30 year vision led by YMPJ to remediate toxic land under Starlight Park, better connect and serve local communities, and improve the health of the River. Expanded by 13.5 acres, the new park has three new greenway bridges connecting surrounding neighborhoods directly to the park as well as restored tidal wetland areas and green infrastructure features to improve the health of the river.
- Completed building River House, a $14.5M LEED certified green building designed to blend in with the park and benefit the community. Serving as the Bronx River Alliance’s headquarters, River House is also a space where the community gathers for public programming and community events.
These are just a few of the milestones we’ve reached, none of which would have been possible without our longtime partnership with NYC Parks and the 25+ years of dedication of thousands of partners and champions of the Bronx River – individuals, community groups, elected officials, institutions, government agencies; and of course sustained support from government funding, key donors, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic supporters.
Throughout this anniversary year, we’ll be highlighting our past achievements and gathering and sharing our collective vision for the future. We look forward to sharing our vision and hearing yours, and hope you will support and involve yourself in our work moving forward.
