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| High Bridge, New York c. 1880 Tinted Stereoview by the New York Stereoscopic Co. |
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Welcome to The High Bridge -- Its Past, Present & Future website. This site connects all interested parties on exciting developments associated with The High Bridge, Highbridge Park, and the immediately surrounding area.
We are in the process of sprucing up our site and making it more presentable. As most of you already know, the High Bridge was reopened on June 9, 2015 after about 45 years of having been closed and years of planning and reconstruction. The adjacent Highbridge Park is also undergoing extensive refurbishment as part of the NYCPlan 2030, and the immediate neighborhood near the Park, particularly along Amsterdam and Edgecombe avenues is starting to experience a renaissance with building renovations and new commercial ventures.
With this in mind, we are now shifting gears away from the reconstruction of The High Bridge to the other improvements that will be forthcoming. We also recognize that there will be more visitors to the bridge, the Highbridge Park, and the surrounding areas, so we will be providing more information for those who do not have familiarity with the area and its attractions.
On June 9, 2015, the official reopening ceremony of the High Bridge occurred. (Please see the specific posts for this event). On July 25, 2015 the High Bridge Festival celebrating the reopening of the High Bridge occurred.
There are many other activities progressing simultaneously with the redevelopment of the High Bridge. This web site focuses on the developments in and immediately adjacent to The High Bridge and Highbridge Park. Please make sure to scroll down to see previous posts on new and exciting developments.
It is our belief that with this site we can foster an appreciation of the past, an understanding of the present and a catalyst for the development of the future needs of this immediate area.
Hopefully, we will find common ground to dramatically improve the buildings, the retail establishments and the quality of life in such a way as to compliment the redevelopment effort associated with the High Bridge and High Bridge Park and make this area a destination for more of the millions of residents of New York City and some of the more than tens of millions of visitors who come to New York City each year.
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| Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Sept 6, 1879 |
Please contact us and let us know if you have any interests in participating as a contributor, volunteer, or merely to coordinate with your community organization, or even if you are just an interested neighborhood resident. If you want to contribute to the site with any comments please feel free to do so.
Organizationally, we have been adding information to each page as it is appropriate. You should return to pages on a regular and frequent basis to catch up on latest developments on each topic. We have also provided for reader feedback at the bottom of each topic.
There are almost 200 posts with information and pictures on all sorts of topics. Information about the history of the High Bridge and the building of the aqueduct, articles about what is going on right now, and articles about the future changes that we all hope will come to the High Bridge, the park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Please click on the Area of Interest on the right and a whole host of topics will present themselves. Or, you may scroll through the archive of articles on the right to find and article of interest to you. Or, you may also search by keyword in the box provided at the right above the archive listings. Or, you may just scroll down and look at the articles in chronological order going backward in time.
If you are experiencing any difficulty using our site please let us know.
Please subscribe to our newsletter.
last modified 7/28/2015
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I don't live in this area, but I can't wait to come visit when they restore the bridge and the park. This is just the sort of effort that is required to make this city the great city it is. Come on New Yorkers, Let's get behind this thing and make it another great success for NYC.
ReplyDeleteI encourage everybody to visit High Bridge park to witness for themselves the beautiful views from the park and to take advantage of all the recreational activities there such as jogging or biking through its newly renovated trails, children's park play areas, enjoy a baseball game or even cool off in the summer at High Bridge’s public pool or experience a piece of history by visiting the historical preserved Morris- Jumel Mansion museum where General George Washington headquartered during a Revolutionary War battle.
ReplyDeleteThe renovation and opening of the High Bridge will attract more visitors from Manhattan, Bronx and all other parts of our city making it very beneficial to all local businesses and any new businesses looking to take advantage of the increased traffic in the area.
Finally people from all parts of our city will have a destination in Northern Manhattan to enjoy these great facilities and sites
NYC Department of Design and Construction has just notified us that they will shortly be sending registered letters to all owners in the vicinity. We have posted on the sidebar the latest NYC Department of Design and Construction Newsletter for your information.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Use the Contact Us tab above or email us at highbridgeparkdevelopmentl@gmail.com
Harlem River Drive will experience lane shutdowns for the week of February 11 through February 15 while construction workers install safety equipment required for the redevelopment of The High Bridge. For more information see:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130211/washington-heights/high-bridge-safety-equipment-shut-down-harlem-river-drive-lanes-all-week
This is an amazing opportunity. A sleeping microcosm of the vast network which makes up the New York City Parks system. This park, sitting high above the hurried movement of a metropolis highway system…the Harlem River Drive and the Cross Bronx Expressway convergent point, offers the solitude and tranquility the parks system was founded upon. This park offers a unique history of the city's water system with the aqueduct bridge and the water spire towering high above the park grounds. It is one of the few vantage points where a family with children will have the opportunity to safely stroll out over one of the city's rivers for a fantastic view both north and south, without the annoying sounds of hurried traffic, unlike other bridge crossings mainly designed for vehicle and mass transit crossing.
ReplyDeleteA Construction advisory has been issued that there will be lane closures between June 3 and June7, 2013 (weather permitting) beneath the High Bridge on the Trans-Manhattan Expressway. These closures will be for one lane in the night time to allow for the cleaning of the High Bridge stones. For those of you not familiar with the terminology, the "Trans-Manhattan Expressway is the highway that connects the George Washington Bridge with the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (and its entrances and exits). So, further clarifying this advisory, there are two distinct roads that pass beneath the High Bridge on the Manhattan side, one being the Harlem River Drive, the other being the approachway to the George Washington Bridge (2 ways). It is this approachway which will be affected.
ReplyDeleteOn June 8, 2013 New York Restoration Project will host a Festival at Sherman Creek Park, which is located at the northern end of Highbridge Park (Harlem River Drive and Dykman Street. The even is free to Attend
ReplyDeleteFestival Activities are from 7:30am to 4:30pm
Boat Races are as follows:
7:30am-11am & 3pm-4:30pm
The weather is looking up! Overnight rain is expected to give way to sunshine and warm weather just in time for NYRP's Harlem River Festival and Row New York's Peter Jay Sharp Regatta.
Spend a day celebrating NYC's Harlem River! Take part in free festival activities for the whole family.
Festival activities will include arts & crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, nature hikes*, walk-up kayaking*, seine fishing* and much more. (*Available on first-come, first-served basis.)
A favorite among New York City families, the festival emphasizes the exploration of Swindler Cove's magnificently restored wetlands, plant and animal life, freshwater pond and Riley-Levin Children's Garden.
Regional rowing clubs will race along the Harlem River and winners will be awarded medals throughout the morning. Row New York will even provide learn-to-row activities for children and adults.
ENTRANCE
Entrance located on the Bike Path at Sherman Creek Park (the intersection of Harlem River Drive, Dyckman Street and 10th Avenue).
Subway Directions
Take the A or 1 train to the Dyckman Street stop. Walk southeast on Dyckman Street towards the Harlem River (follow the Sherman Creek street lamp banners). The entrance to the bike path is just in front of Public School 5.
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254 West 31st Street | 10th Floor | New York | New York | 10001
I live in the area and think this is great for everyone. The local residents, the people of New York City and State, as well as anyone who visits the park and bridge. Where to I sign up to volunteer to help make this effort successful?
ReplyDeleteJust send us an email and we will have someone get in touch with you and make the appropriate arrangements for you to get involved. Thanks for the support.
DeleteThere will be a piece on ABC's Nightline tonight, June 14, 2013 on Urban Explorers. The first part will go through the High Bridge area. Can't wait to see it. See http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/urban-explorers-seek-city-views-undiscovered-perspectives/story?id=19227971#.UbtRDfZ_W00
ReplyDeleteI saw the show and it wasn't worth the time. It was extremely short and uninformative with bad video and they did not identify it as the High bridge.
DeleteToday, Thursday, June 28, 2013 the public swimming pools open in New York City. In particular, the swimming pool at Highbridge Park is scheduled to open. Happy swimming. Bring your umbrella.
ReplyDeleteFridday, June 28, 2013, the Juan Basch Plaza was dedicated. For an interesting article see this link: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/184650/highbridge-park-plaza-honors-dominican-republic-leader--author
ReplyDeleteThis represents another milestone in the significant improvements to the Highbridge Park. The City Council contributed $500,000. toward its construction. See also the tab on this site about the Juan Bosch Plaza.
The dedication ceremony for the Juan Bosch Plaza at Highbridge Park was wonderful. I see you already added that information on the Post about the Bosch Plaza on this website. Good going. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteWe are happy to report that during the first 6 months that this website has been available we have had over 87,000 visitors. Thank you for the support and please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your experience at this site more productive for you.
ReplyDeleteMore evidence of improvement at the highbridge park. There is a woods cleanup this Friday August 9, 2013. You can walk the trails and clean up. Learn about what is in the park and make it nicer for the next visitors. See http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2013/08/09/cleanup-the-woods
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. This is the kind of participation that will be good for everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt has come to our attention that there are a number of retail locations that have either recently become vacant or have been vacant for a while. It is our hope that the owners of these properties will put in an extra effort to attract appropriate type tenants for these locations. Two points might be made here. Many owners are not aware of the changes that are occurring in the neighborhood, and, as such, you might take it upon yourself to inform them of what is anticipated this coming year. If you do not know who the owner is you can send us the address and we will look it up and contact them for you and share the information with you. You can also post the address to this website under private sector developments and perhaps a reader will have a contact that is interested in leasing the space for some appropriate use.
ReplyDeleteWhat is going to be done with Highbridge Park in The Bronx. This is the small park at W. 170th St and University Ave. in the Bronx at the end of the High Bridge in the Bronx. Is the city going to spend anything at this end of the bridge they are rebuilding? I suppose the pedestrians and bicyclists are going to just go over the bridge from Manhattan, arrive in The Bronx and then turn around and go back. Is the Bronx going to be forgotten again? Please, let's hear what you think about this.
ReplyDeleteTony, this all depends on what we make of it. There is no one up there that is going to do everything and we wake up one day and it is all wonderful. It comes from hard work from us, the people who live here. Let's get organized and do something about it. I think it would be wonderful to have something that the Bronx end of the bridge that is worth going to. Are there any storefronts available? What do you think would be a good thing to have as a destination for the visitors?
DeleteAt the Manhattan end there appears to be a lot of interest in changing things for the better. How about the rest of you readers, are you just going to silently sit by and let this opportunity pass?
The September/October Newsletter for the Reconstruction of the High Bridge has just arrived. Please tab to the NYC Department of Design and Construction to see the details. There are some great photos of the deck removal work.
ReplyDeleteThe article on the Gothamist website http://gothamist.com/2013/09/17/photos_high_bridge_harlem.php#photo-1 that just appeared is showing some real progress on the High Bridge restoration. I haven't seen any revisions to estimates yet as to when it will really be completed. As with all substantial project the estimated completion date is just that, an "estimate". Has anyone heard anything, even rumor?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the completion. I want to ride the High Bridge when it opens. Good to hear there will most likely be rentals for the bikes nearby.
The "official" party line is that the opening celebration will be on July 25, 2015. I personally don't think that there will be much open and running by then. There is just too much work left to be done. I think it will be a celebration in anticipation of the opening which should be by the end of the summer.
DeleteThere is an article in the New York Times on 102313 that covers the High Bridge and the greening of the Harlem River and the need for access to the river. See http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/23/nyregion/harlem-river-cut-off-from-public-is-getting-a-push-out-of-isolation.html?emc=edit_tnt_20131022&tntemail0=y&_r=0
ReplyDeleteThe media is reporting that the kiddie pool in HIghbridge Park will be converted to a skating rink in the wintertime. Read the story at http://highbridgeparkdevelopment.blogspot.com/2013/01/highbridge-park-set-to-get-1-million.html
ReplyDeleteIt has been reported that there is a skateboard park under construction within Highbridge Park. Further, that the park is located partially under a bridge (High Bridge or Washington, or Hamilton is unknown) and that it will the largest skateboard operation within the City. Does anyone have more information on this?
ReplyDeleteHoorah! There will be a clean up of invasive vines in the park on Thursday. December 5, 2013 from 9am to 1pm.. See http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/highbridgepark/events/2013/12/05/highbridge-park-invasive-vine-removal
ReplyDeleteThey are seeking volunteers to help. What a great opportunity to pitch in and improve the park.
A new construction advisory has been issued by the DCC. Please use the Tab at the left labeled Construction Advisory to see the details. This will cover the period from November 11 to November 23 2013.
ReplyDeleteNew York City's Parks Department is planning a day of snow activities in each of the city's five boroughs.
ReplyDeleteSleds will be available to borrow between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday January 4th at the five locations. There will be snow angel competitions, music and free hot chocolate.
The locations are Crotona Park in the Bronx, Prospect Park near Ninth Street in Brooklyn, HIGHBRIDGE PARK in MANHATTAN<Juniper Valley Park in Queens and Clove Lakes Park on Staten Island.
Now that 2014 is here we are getting ever closer to the opening of the HIgh Bridge. According to the General Contractor for the High Bridge Construction project they are on target for completion of the work by September 2014 barring any unfoerseen problems creeping in. We would imagine that there will be some time between the completion of the construction and the opening of the Bridge to pedestrians and bicycles. This puts us into the Autumn of 2014 for the Grand Opening.
ReplyDeleteAn article in the Daily News today indicates that there has been a delay in the expected opening date for the bridge. However, I see no indication of what the projected date is. To see the article: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/bad-weather-additional-project-work-put-high-bridge-re-opening-schedule-article-1.1597150
ReplyDeleteAccording to StreetsblogNYC “While we estimate that the construction will be completed in December of this year, we are exploring every opportunity to expedite the project,” Parks spokesperson Phil Abramson said via email. “DDC and Parks are working closely with the contractor to finish the project as quickly as possible and we look forward to the day that New Yorkers will once again walk and bicycle over our City’s oldest bridge.” for the complete link see http://www.streetsblog.org/2014/03/26/parks-department-city-hopes-to-complete-high-bridge-rehab-this-year/
ReplyDeleteThe Parks Department has invited the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the renovated and expanded Highbridge Recreation Center. The event will take place on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. at the center, located at 2301 Amsterdam Ave. at West 173rd Street.
ReplyDeleteHighbridge Recreation Center Now Open! Try the center for free this week May 5, 2014. 2301 Amsterdam Avenue (at 173rd Street) Manhattan Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. NYC Parks has reopened Highbridge Recreation Center in Washington Heights! Take a look at the brand new fitness equipment, computers, and redesign. The center is free for visitors this week until Saturday, May 10! To celebrate the reopening, today’s schedule is packed with free fitness classes, like Yoga, Zumba, FitBALL, and Circuit Training. To find out more, visit Highbridge Recreation Center’s webpage. Connect with NYC Parks www.nyc.gov/parks
ReplyDeleteWe see that there is a new building to open in 2015 called "The HIghbridge" for more information see:
ReplyDeletehttp://highbridgeparkdevelopment.blogspot.com/p/new-building-on-highbridge-park-to-open.html
The Highbridge Park Swimming Pool opened today June 27, 2014 for the summer season. Enjoy the cool water.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting blog about bicycle and pedestrian access between the Bronx and Manhattan.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.streetsblog.org/2014/07/10/t-a-s-safer-access-to-harlem-river-bridges-street-scan-2-streets-near-high-bridge/
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ReplyDeleteI guess the skate park has opened. See this entry here https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6092692381720667997#editor/target=post;postID=6618113841263319213;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=15;src=postname.
ReplyDeleteNY1 has reported on August 28, 2014 that the High Bridge will now not open until sometime in the Spring of 2015.
ReplyDeleteNo official date has been set.
As of today, Feb.4, 2015 we have word that due to the severe weather the High Bridge will not open before Memorial Day,May 25, 2015. We have to conclude that the High Bridge will most likely open during June 2015 or later.
ReplyDeleteToday, Feb. 13, 2015 we have word that the High Bridge will be open sometime this summer. Since summer begins around June 21, 2015 we have to assume that it will be after that date.
ReplyDeleteBased upon the amount of activity going on with the construction notices, it appears that they are trying very hard under the very trying conditions this winter in NYC
I attended a public discussion at the Highbridge Recreational Center at 2301 Amsterdam avenue at 173rd street, Manhattan a few hours ago today (March 25th, 2015), regarding the re-opening of the restored High Bridge's pedestrian promenade between Manhattan and the Bronx. THE MAIN CELEBRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS PRESENTLY SET FOR JULY 25th, 2015 at 10:00 am.
ReplyDeleteYes, but when will the bridge open?
DeleteYou did a great job on the redesign. It looks good. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThe information collected and posted in this blog is impressive; I am inspired with your post writing style & how thoroughly you have covered this topic for four years. Thanks for taking the time to research and present this material, I am glad to read all these interesting posts about the High Bridge history and would I like to learn more about the High Bridge each time you post.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts. I love hanging out in NYC parks but the sketch factor of some the neglected ones keep me away. Your posts give me the guidance and courage to check them out myself. I would love to see the conclusion of the Highbridge Park saga and what the northern half has to offer. Do you think it's possible to walk the entirety of the park from 155th to Dyckman street?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great park leading up to the High Bridge. You can get some excellent views and walk through a lovely little tree lined walk on your way to the High Bridge. It's a nice little respite from the hustle and bustle. Near the pool, there was some sculpture pieces of local artists. I don't know if this is typical but it was a lovely addition to the park.
ReplyDeleteOneDayTop has recently posted for Travel : Three beautiful natural wonders you can see within the US
This is a great park leading up to the High Bridge. You can get some excellent views and walk through a lovely little tree lined walk on your way to the High Bridge. It’s a nice little respite from the hustle and bustle. Near the pool, there were some sculpture pieces of local artists. I don’t know if this is typical but it was a lovely addition to the park.
ReplyDelete