Bronx Zoo / Mitsubishi Riverwalk - Bronx River Alliance

SITE DESCRIPTIONBronx Zoo / Mitsubishi RiverwalkAfter flowing through the New York BotanicalGarden and under Fordham Road, the Bronx Riverenters the Bronx Zoo. The stretch of the BronxRiver that flows through the zoo features doublewaterfalls that were built to power the mills thatexisted along the River in the middle of the late19 th century. The mill settlement that sprouted upon the east side of the river became known asBronxdale, the first settled area in the Bronx. Asthe river flows through the zoo, it passes the bisonand rainforest exhibits, under the monorail, andthen fans out into a wide, lake-like expanse. Whenbuilt, the dam below the zoo at River Park createdan ideal area for boating and picnicking in the early20 th century.Nearly a century and a half of urbanization hascompromised the Bronx River’s beauty and utility.Projects like the Mitsubishi Riverwalk support thework to bring this freshwater river ecosystem back.Dedicated in April of 2004, the path encouragespublic access to the river and provides a strongconservation message through path-side exhibits.To enter, pass through the first gate at the BronxRiver entrance. Instead of following the pathstraight to the zoo ticketing gate, turn right andlook for a large totem pole. The paved path should be visible up ahead. It begins with a large signannouncing the Mitsubishi Riverwalk. Continuing up the hill, one can hear the double falls flowing overthe dam. At the top, there is a lookout with some benches. Foliage partially blocks the best views of thefalls by summer. Beautiful bronze animal sculptures decorate the educational displays.The first access site is located on the other side of the dam. Follow the path around, as it turns to crushedstone, note the large rock rip-rap on the shore of the river to the left. With care one can obtain a watersample here. Caution should be exercised if bird or turtle nests are noted. The water’s swift movementhere can provide an excellent dissolved oxygen reading contrast to the second access site.To reach the second access site, follow the path north along the river as it bends around an open field. Upahead you will see some primitive log benches and some established oak trees. There is a small footpath toNOTED FLORA AND FAUNAWhite egret, rhododendron, Japanese knotweed, snapping turtle, tree swallow, black willow, weeping willow, Canada goose (goslingsfull grown by last week of June), spicebush.

a very shallow beach. This area is great for watching waterfowl and collecting samples. Suitable for youngerstudents, the bench and field area is open with plenty to see. Dress for weather in summer and winter asthere is very little cover from sun or wind.AMENITIESRestrooms: There are public restrooms (composting toilets) outside the fee-portion of the zoo near theentrance to the Riverwalk. Men and women’s restrooms may be found at the Ben Abrams Playground,located on the east side of the Bronx River Parkway at Bronx Park East and Boston Road.Playgrounds & Benches: Ben Abrams Playground (location above) features benches, bathrooms and updatedplay equipment. Benches may also be found all along the Riverwalk.Food: White Plains Rd. is located several blocks east of this entrance to the zoo and has a large variety offood options, from fast food to sit-down restaurants to grocery stores and pizza places.Parking: $8 per car, $16 per bus for all parking. Buses may offload students at the Bronx River gate butmust park on the west side of the zoo. Check the Bronx Zoo’s website for the latest information:www.bronxzoo.com. Go to the “Hours and Rates” page, and look for the “Bronx Zoo AdmissionPolicy for School Groups” link. Street parking is very tight.DRIVING DIRECTIONSThe Bronx Zoo Mitsubishi Riverwalk islocated at Gate B, the Bronx Riverentrance. There is no fee for walking inthis area, but parking fees still apply.From the west: Follow the MosholuParkway east to Bronx RiverParkway south to exit 6; Boston Rd./Bronx Zoo. Continue to the zoo’sGate B.From north and south: Bronx RiverParkway to exit 6; Boston Rd./Bronx Zoo. Continue to the zoo’sGate B.Overflow parking (dirt) may be availableto the right. $8 per car, $16 per busfor all parking.PUBLIC TRANSITSubway: 2 Train to Pelham Pkwy atWhite Plains Rd. Follow walkingdirections below.Bus: BxM11 (Liberty Line ExpressBus) from Manhattan; pick-upsalong 5 th Avenue at 23 rd , 51 st and98 th Streets. Bx12, Bx22, Bx39all run to the PelhamParkway/White Plains Rd.intersection. Follow walkingdirections below.

Metro-North: Harlem Line to Fordham Station . Travel east on Fordham Rd. OR take the Bx12,Bx22 from the station along Fordham Rd. to the same intersection. Follow walking directions.Walking directions from Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road:Walk south on White Plains Rd. across Pelham Pkwy. South to Lydig Ave. Turn right and walk toBronx Park East. Cross street and enter parkland on path (playground will be on your right). Bearright at fork in path, then cross Boston Rd., and take a left onto sidewalk. Continue throughunderpass to zoo entrance.Inside Track• GREENWAY PLAN:• The Riverwalk can be reached from the Bronx River Greenway. Plans are in place tointegrate the design of the greenway with the road and ramp system in this area:The Zoo entrance will be re-configured, as will the intersection of Boston Rd., BronxPark East, and Pelham Pkwy. This New York State Department of Transportationproject will ease traffic congestion in this area and will also connect the Bronx RiverGreenway path with destinations north and south.• See “BRONX RIVER GREENWAY PLAN” available at www.bronxriver.org/plans for thelatest development information, or call 718-430-4665.• The Bronx Zoo Butterfly Garden connects the Zoo with the Butterfly Project and butterflygardens around the Bronx. Educators interested in starting a garden with their students in thewatershed can contact the Bronx River Alliance to set up a tour at this new exhibit.• Bronx Zoo docents are trained to give tours of the Mitsubishi Riverwalk.• A good site for leaf pack study (macroinvertebrate analysis). Contact the Alliance for helpwith access and permissions. A veteran teacher, Bob Ward, helps place leaf packs here eachyear and provides them to other interested teachers.• Deep water in pockets at the river access point in the north end of the Riverwalk.• Waterfall just south of access point.• Sediment can suck feet downward into the muck.• Strong smell, especially when water level is low.• The Bronx Zoo Area is an important stop for birds on the east coast migration flyway.• The Wildlife Conservation Society has created the RIVER ON THE RISE: THE SCIENCE OFWATERSHEDS program that features the Bronx River. For this and other educationinformation please call 718-220-5131.SUITABLE ACTIVITIES• Walking Tour on interpretive trail.• Tree and Plant ID.• Birding and looking for animals.• Water quality monitoring, including leaf pack studies.• Mapping, drawing, art-related activities.• Quiet listening.• Visiting the zoo and the butterfly garden exhibit.