
69th Street Transfer Bridge
A walk in Riverside Park, Manhattan
Riverside Park runs for 4 miles (6.4 km) on the west side of Manhattan, from 72nd to 158th Streets. Since 1875, it’s offered somewhere for New Yorkers to escape the city and relax. Part of the land on which the park is built was originally used for railroads.
The photo above is what’s left of the 69th Street Transfer Bridge — a dock for car floats which allowed the transfer of railroad cars from the rail line to car floats that crossed the Hudson River to New Jersey. It may seem an odd subject to open a post about a park, but it looms over the park and is a reminder of the area’s history. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
Hover mouse over image for caption; click to open gallery and view full size.
The park is a great spot for chilling out.
Reminders of the area’s industrial history are everywhere.

This aerial shot shows the 69th Street Transfer Bridge and the rebuilt Pier 1 beside it, plus the rotting remains of old structures.
The park looks across the Hudson River to New Jersey.
In the 1980s Donald Trump owned the 57 acres of land just south of Riverside Park that had been the Penn Central freight rail yard. His Riverside South development of towering apartment buildings also extended the park south to 59th Street.
If you enjoyed this walk along part of Manhattan’s Riverside Park, head over to Jo’s Monday Walk to see where other people have been walking.
For other bloggers’ travel adventures on a Monday, check out Monday Escapes.
Facts and figures about Riverside Park taken from:
nycgovparks.org/parks/riverside-park/history
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside_Park_(Manhattan)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Central_Railroad_69th_Street_Transfer_Bridge
That opening shot is a ‘cracker’, Karen, as is the last one too, and I love the darkening light on the goose photos. I like reminders of our industrial heritage such as these and it makes for a great walk. One after my own heart. (though obviously rather busy at times- it’s a wonder that sign didn’t say ‘no overtaking’ 🙂 ) Thanks a lot!
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Thanks Jo. You’re right about it being busy! Cyclists whiz past with no regard for pedestrians. Survival of the fittest — but I guess that applies to most things in New York City. 😉
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You have a lovely eye for detail Kaz. My favourite shot is the one with the dramatic sky, but I do like all the industrial scenes.
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Thank you Jude. The friend I was with (who lives in one of those towering apt buildings!) often found himself walking on ahead and talking to himself when I stopped to photograph some detail or other!
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Wow, fab photos!
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Thanks!
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I do like these . I am not normally a ‘city person’ – although I work in one. But you have captured a relaxed side to the city that I don’t often see. I think these are great 🙂
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Thank you! I was very much surprised to find such a relaxing, laid-back place in Manhattan, and I did try to capture that feeling. I’d never have known about the park if I hadn’t stayed with a friend who lives nearby.
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What a great idea to share about this park. I have been to NY before, but if I heard about it I didn’t pay attention. It looks beautiful, and the view is great. News time I go I will try to visit it 😀
Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes
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Thanks! I would never have known about the park if not for my friend living nearby.
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