THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY RESERVATION TODAY   

When the Bronx River Parkway Reservation opened to the public in 1925, it was the beginning 
of a policy of land acquisition for recreational purposes that has become a hallmark for 
the quality of life in Westchester over the decades and is acknowledged to be one of the 
finest in the country. County stewardship has allowed, the Westchester County parks system 
to grow to encompass more than 16,000 acres. Since 1961 as the Department of Parks, 
Recreation and Conservation, this system includes more than 40 parks and facilities and 
includes five golf courses, six pools, three beaches, four trailways, six nature centers, 
an early-1900s interpretive farm, a 117-year-old lighthouse, and a developing arboretum.
Within the Reservation is the Bronx River Pathway, a paved trail that follows original 
paths adjoining the parkway. Thousands of walkers, skaters, joggers and bicyclists 
navigate this scenic route for health and exercise as well as through varied programs, and 
entertainment sponsored by the Department Parks Recreation & Conservation.   
On Sundays, except holidays, during May, June and September, the Bronx River Parkway 
closes to automobile traffic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for “Bike and Skate Sundays” program.  
The free “Concerts in the Park” series runs every Bicycle Sunday at the Governor Malcolm 
Wilson Park, located on the southern portion of the reservation in Yonkers. 
From noon to 1 p.m., a variety of music groups from the Westchester Conservatory 
in White Plains perform music ranging from classical jazz and Dixieland, to baroque and 
New Age fare.  The Department of Parks Recreation & Conservation and the Bronx River 
Parkway Reservation Conservancy, Inc. together are working to insure the survival and 
growth of the rich diversity of flora and fauna thriving in the Reservation.

The Conservancy was formed in 1997 to support the County in its stewardship of the Westchester County portion of the Reservation.  The Conservancy is currently working to:

·        Preserve the BRP Reservation as a significant historic parkland resource

·        Heighten public awareness of the Reservation’s ecological systems

·        Complete a continuous pathway from Kensico Dam to the Bronx border

·        Encourage driving through the Reservation within the speed limit

·        Provide Reservation-based “cleaning and greening” opportunities

·        Encourage use of “historic” signage along the pathway and roadway

·        Enhance the passive recreational opportunities along the Reservation

The Conservancy welcomes the support of friends in its advocacy and preservation efforts for the reservation.

Since its establishment in 1985, the Westchester County Archives has actively collected thousands of photographs, maps and records which illustrate Westchester’s Parks, past and present.  

Additional pictures of today's park.

 
Roller Skating

Westchester County Center

Kensico Dam from the air