The Westchester RiverWalk is a planned 51.5-mile multi-faceted pathway paralleling the Hudson River in Westchester. When completed, it will link village centers, historic sites, parks and river access points via a connection of trails, esplanades and boardwalks. RiverWalk spans 14 municipalities in Westchester and is part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway system. RiverWalk is a work in progress that is being developed through a series of projects constructed by the county, local municipalities and other entities, including private developers.
32.9 miles of RiverWalk's route is publically accessible, utilizing newly constructed sections as well as existing sidewalks, paths and trails, such as the Old Croton Aqueduct, and paths within existing parks and facilities (e.g. VA Hospital in Montrose, Scenic Hudson Park in Irvington, Downtown Yonkers Waterfront and Camp Smith Trails in Cortlandt).
View a RiverWalk Route Map.
Two popular places to visit are recently completed sections of RiverWalk in Croton-on Hudson and Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow. These sections are marked with RiverWalk trail blazes and feature numerous interpretive signage describing the ecology, culture and history of the local areas. Download the RiverWalk trail maps for the Croton-on-Hudson and Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow.
The RiverWalk section in Tarrytown (south of the Tappan Zee Bridge) opened in the summer of 2010. Parking for the Tarrytown RiverWalk section is available at the Lyndhurst Estate for a fee.
RiverWalk Facts and Figures:
- Total length when completed: 51.5 miles
- 32.9 miles completed as paved and unpaved paths, promenades and sidewalks
- 2.7 miles in design or planning stages
- 15.9 miles remaining proposed route
- Spans 14 Westchester municipalities
- Intermodal - connects directly with 13 of 14 Metro-North Hudson Line Stations and 27 Bee-Line Bus Routes including the Tappan Zee Express
- 75% of proposed route on publicly accessible lands including parks, road rights-of-way, and public institutions
- 25% of proposed route on restricted lands including Metro North right-of-way, industrial areas and private sites
- Go to RiverWalk mileage chart
Current RiverWalk Projects:
RiverWalk Dobbs Ferry - The Department of Planning and the Village of Dobbs Ferry have been working since 2008 to make a new segment of the RiverWalk pathway along the Hudson River a reality. Last winter, construction to stabilize the shoreline at the village’s existing waterfront park was undertaken – thanks to a $1 million grant from the NYS Department of State and $1 million of village funds. A second phase of construction improvements to transform the park into a new portion of RiverWalk, will begin in 2013. A new fishing pier and boat dock, funded by an unexpected Department of State grant, will be the third phase of the project.
Phase 2 is now being designed by department staff and is funded by $2 million through the County’s Legacy Program and more than $1 million in private donations. It will include new walkways, a performance stage, a gazebo, new playgrounds for younger and older children, a comfort station, pedestrian lighting, plantings, and new picnic tables, grills, benches and trash containers. All the improvements will emphasize environmental sustainability.
Reports
Westchester RiverWalk Design Guidelines Manual - Prepared in 2005, this report provides details and specifications for the design of various types of RiverWalk path sections, including specifications for signage, pavers, furniture, railings and logos.
Hudson River Trailway Plan - This planning reconnaisance report, prepared in 2003, provides the original proposed routing of Westchester RiverWalk and contains many maps and photos