Adrian Benepe Cuts Ribbon On Riverside Walk In Riverside Park

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe was today joined by City Council Member Gale Brewer, State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Riverside Park Fund President John Herrold, and many members of the community to cut the ribbon on a new waterfront path in Riverside Park. Those in attendance were then joined by a marching band in leading a ceremonial procession up the Greenway from West 83rd Street to West 91st Street.

"When Riverside Park was first built in the late 19th century, its name was somewhat of a misnomer since a railway and a busy industrial waterfront separated it from the river. But, in the ensuing years, the city would bring the park to the ‘river's side,'" said Commissioner Benepe. "Today's opening of the Riverwalk is a significant achievement as, for the first time, it provides a continuous waterfront path from West 83rd to 91st Streets, and provides the final link of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along the Hudson River from Battery Park to Dyckman Street. Special thanks to Mayor Bloomberg, Council Member Brewer and Federal ISTEA funds for funding this $15.7 million enhancement, which will surely delight walkers, joggers and cyclists."

This $15.7 million project was funded with over $15 million in capital funds allocated by Mayor Bloomberg, $400,000 from Council Member Brewer and nearly $300,000 in funds provided by the Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, with assistance from the New York State Department of Transportation.

The project is a momentous occasion for walkers, joggers and cyclists as it celebrates the completion of a continuous waterfront path in Riverside Park, and provides the final link of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway stretching from Battery Park to Dyckman Street.

The Riverwalk was constructed on a pile-supported platform in and along the Hudson River. Prior to the reconstruction, park visitors had to exit the existing esplanade through a tunnel, walk along the upland area, and then back through another tunnel to the waterfront. The Riverwalk project is consistent with the original design of the park and the park's historic relationship to the Hudson River.

The Riverwalk project team included Design Project Manager J. Douglas Nash, Manhattan Director of Construction Oscar Urquiola, Construction Project Manager Walid Abdelaziz, Design Consultants RGR Landscape and Stantec, Construction Consultant Supervisor URS Corp., and Contractor Lomma Construction.