A Hidden Gem in the Bronx: The Bronx River Greenway’s Starlight and Concrete Plant Park
If you’re looking for a hidden gem for a walk, run, or casual bike ride in the Bronx, I highly recommend checking out the combination of Concrete Plant Park and Starlight Park.
Whether you love nature and are excited about waterfront restoration like me, or if you just want a peaceful, pleasant nature excursion, it’s one of the most underrated spots in New York City.
Both parks form part of the Bronx River Greenway, a pedestrian and bike trail (still in progress) that will eventually stretch over 25 miles, linking the mouth of the Bronx River at Hunts Point all the way up to Kensico Dam in Westchester County.
In this article, I’m focusing on a short but beautiful southern portion of the Greenway, which connects Concrete Plant Park and Starlight Park in the South Bronx.
A Brief History of the Bronx River and These Parks
The Bronx River is New York City’s only freshwater river, and for much of the 20th century, it was also one of its most polluted.
By the 1970s, this stretch of river had become a dumping ground so bad that it was often described as an “open sewer.”
Factories lined the banks, including the concrete plant that gave Concrete Plant Park its name.
When those factories shut down in the 1970s and ‘80s, the abandoned waterfront became a dumping ground for old tires, abandoned cars, and even refrigerators.
But in the 1990s, local residents, environmental advocates, and community groups began fighting to reclaim the river.
Their efforts led to the formation of the Bronx River Alliance, which has played a major role in the river’s restoration.
Through decades of cleanups, advocacy, and planning, what was once an industrial wasteland has been transformed into a growing ribbon of parks and greenways.
- Concrete Plant Park opened in 2009, turning the remains of a derelict plant into an urban park.
- Starlight Park was originally built in the 1910s as part of an amusement park, fell into disrepair. The Bronx River Alliance and NYC Park complete a major renovation in 2013. This one is close to my heart, as I covered the press conference where announced that Trump’s EPA had (likely illegally) taken away over a $1 million in approved grant money from the BRA.
Starting Point: Get Off the 6 Train at Hunts Point or Whitlock Ave
The easiest way to access this stretch of the Bronx River Greenway is by taking the 6 train. You’ve got two good options depending on how you want to start your adventure.
I Recommend Grabbing a Coffee at Boogie Down Grind
If you’re coming in the morning and want to fuel up first, hop off at Hunts Point Ave and walk a few minutes to Boogie Down Grind Café.
Boogie Down just has a great vibe inside, as well as good coffee.
It has the kind of warm, neighborly vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into the real Bronx, not the version people see from the highway.
Once you’ve got your drink, it’s an easy walk or quick bike ride over to the Bronx River Greenway entrance near Concrete Plant Park.
Grab a Citi Bike and Head Towards the Greenway
From Boogie Down, we grabbed Citi Bikes at nearby Garrison Avenue. Go straight up Garrison and you’ll run into the entrance to Concrete Plant Park.
Concrete Plant Park
Concrete Plant Park is one of the most striking urban parks in New York City. It sits on a narrow stretch of riverfront between Westchester Ave and Bruckner Blvd, and it perfectly blends industrial history, community space, and ecological restoration.
It’s a smooth, wide bike path. But there’s lots to look out for whether you’re biking, jogging, or walking.
- 🌿 The Edible Forest & Community Garden: Near the park’s entrance, you’ll find a small but vibrant community garden and then a bit further along the “edible food forest.”
- Historic Silos: The tall orange silos from the original concrete plant were preserved and painted, giving the park a unique identity. They’re a nod to the Bronx’s industrial past and a striking backdrop for photos.
- Wide Greenway Path: A smooth, wide trail runs through the park, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. You’ll often see families, cyclists, and birdwatchers enjoying the open space.
- 🐦 Wildlife & Native Plantings: The shoreline has been restored with native grasses and wetlands to reduce erosion and improve water quality. On a quiet day, you might spot ducks, cormorants, or even a heron fishing in the river.
The park is compact, so you can take your time exploring, snapping photos, or just sitting by the water. At the northern end, the path continues across the street and when you enter Starlight Park.
Starlight Park
Starlight Park is larger and more open than Concrete Plant Park, and it a different feel. While Concrete Plant Park is defined by its industrial structures and linear path, Starlight Park opens up into lawns, sports fields, playgrounds, and wide river views.
It’s very much a community park. On weekends you’ll find soccer games, kids on bikes, and families out for strolls.
Some things to note:
- Facilities: Depending on the time of day and season, you can use bathrooms and fill up your water bottle at the Bronx River Alliance Headquarters, located on the west side of the park.
- Boathouse & Activities: The Bronx River Alliance runs canoeing and kayaking programs here in warmer months. It’s one of the few places in NYC where you can actually paddle on a freshwater river.
- Relax & Explore: There are shaded benches along the riverfront promenade, perfect for a break. If you have time, you can continue north along the Greenway into Bronx Park, where the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden await.
Making Your Way Towards The Bronx Park: Use Caution if Biking
If you want to continue up the Bronx Rivery Greenway towards the Bronx Park, you have a few poorly-designed streets to get through.
When you exit Starlight Park, you’ll find yourself right up against the Cross Bronx Expressway. Designed for cars, not people, it carved through neighborhoods and has left a legacy of pollution and division. I’ve written more about that in my article, “Why We Should Remove and Reimagine Highways: The Cross Bronx Case Study”.
To continue north on the Bronx River Greenway, you’ll need to navigate a slightly tricky connection:
As you leave Starlight Park, the trail ends at a wide boulevard that runs alongside the expressway.
You’ll need to cross multiple traffic lanes, then make a left, followed by a quick right turn onto a somewhat hidden side street where the greenway picks up again.
It’s not the most intuitive or well-marked section.
Once you reconnect with the path, it’s a straight shot north toward Bronx Park. On a bike, this entire ride is roughly 25 minutes, depending on your pace. The ride is mostly flat, but it’s not fully protected, so stay alert through traffic-heavy areas.
If you want to make a full day out of this trip, head into the Bronx Zoo at the Asia Gate. Then leave the zoo at the Southern Boulevard Gate and walk a few blocks to Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s Little Italy.
The Greenway Continues
Of course, you don’t have to stop at Bronx Park. The Bronx River Greenway continues north, winding through towards the New York Botanical Garden, then further into Westchester County.
I haven’t biked this northern stretch yet, mostly because Citi Bike currently ends near Bronx Park.
As the greenway gets more continuous, this will become one of the best long urban rides in the city.
The Bronx River Greenway Is Fractured and In Progress, But It’s a Great Spot
The Bronx River Greenway is still a work in progress. There are gaps that need to be filled, tricky road crossings, and some sections that lack protected bike lanes. At a minimum, New York City’s Department of Transportation should prioritize adding protected lanes to make these connections safer and more intuitive for cyclists and pedestrians.
It would also make a huge difference if Citi Bike expanded further north, so that even those who don’t own bikes can explore the entire length of the greenway.
As a Bronx resident, I’m biased, but I truly think this is the most underrated borough in New York City.
The Bronx River Greenway, Concrete Plant Park, and Starlight Park remind me why: this is a place of resilience, community, and quiet natural beauty that has always fought back against the expressways, “urban renewal,” and disinvestment.
If you’re looking for a peaceful ride, a weekend walk, or a glimpse of how cities can reclaim their rivers, this stretch of the Bronx River Greenway is absolutely worth your time.
