Weekend Wrap-Up

Lots of Olympics, some running, some biking and some housewarming. That just about sums it up. Friday was spent getting in a very wet 8 miler and enjoying my usual from Island Burger (lil bacon bleu [salad] and a baked potato) while watching the Olympics. Saturday was a 14 miler done at 9:05 pace with the last two miles kicked up a notch: 8:19 and 7:52. Sunday, after some extra Olympic watching & napping, I got myself out for a nice bike ride just before sunset. I went specifically to get some pictures of the newest additions to the Hudson River & Riverside Parks. The Hudson River Park + Riverside Park edges the entire western coast of Manhattan, from Battery Park to the Henry Hudson bridge, and is the setting for over 90% of my runs. It's been a work in progress since before I moved to NYC with new sections being completed a couple times a year. Here are just a few features of this area...

Old piers used to transport goods from ferries bearing rail cars continue to show their former supports and often sport some local artwork. Tough to see here but several wooden seagulls perch themselves atop the old pilings. Hello Jersey City across the way!


This is one of the newest sections, part of Riverside Park South starting at W. 59th St. going north. All along the Hudson these parks feature gorgeous plantings, wild grasses being quite prevalent. Again, old piers stay as they are and provide a better idea of what activities used to occur along the coast of Manhattan.

Further north, a not-new section of Riverside is spotlighted by a large and gorgeous community garden. This stretch of the path is littered with dog parks, playgrounds and families.

The Chelsea section completion in HRP last year brought back the beloved Frying Pan. A light house boat formerly in use to guard Frying Pan shoals, 30 miles off Cape Fear, N.C., from 1929 to 1965, it's been a resident of NYC since the late 80s. The boat boasts a bar, grill, games and a stage for bands & DJs. It was relocated to the new pier 66 and remains attached to a larger vessel, the Lackawanna rail car barge. The new home is sweet! ...connecting to an old ferry slip, you can even see the old rails coming off the slip and traveling across the West Side Highway into the Starrett-Lehigh Building

Opening just a couple weeks ago, I've already made great use of this part of the park. It is located south of Houston and combines a great running path with some brandy new courts of both the tennis and basketball variety. I included a run out & back on the pier below as part of Saturday's 14 miler.

If you're looking for a playground, fishing spot, running / biking / roller blading paths, tasty eats & drinks, perfect picnic spot, boating, dog parks, basketball or tennis courts, kayaking, soccer fields, tai chi and much much more - head to Hudson River Park.