Highbridge Park natural areas

W 155 St and Dyckman St, Edgecombe Av & Amsterdam Av

Highbridge Park is one of several geologically steep and linear parks in Northern Manhattan that feature rugged outcroppings and sweeping vistas of the Harlem River. Boasting 103 acres of forested natural areas across 2.25 miles of parkland, this park is home to unique biodiversity not easily found in the city. Most notably, the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) populations in Highbridge are the last known population stronghold of the species in Manhattan. These salamanders thrive in the various seepages and waterflows created by springs along the steep slopes throughout the park.

The forests of Higbridge include a mixture of native and introduced trees and shrubs including northern red oaks (Quercus rubra), hickory (Carya spp.), sweetgum (Liquidambr styraciflua), tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera), black cherry (Prunus serotina), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), sumac (Rhus spp.), and hackberry trees (Celtis occidentalis). Visitors to the park can also find Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), raspberries and blackberries (Rubus spp.), and grape (Vitis spp.) shrubs. Several New York State rare plants make their home in Highbridge Park, including American coffeeberry (Gymnocladus dioicus) and Virginia copperleaf (Acalypha virginica).

In addition to the dusky salamanders, white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and Dekay's brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) also make their home in the park, alongside at least 130 species of migrating and resident birds such as warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers, swallows, and more. The proximity of Highbridge Park to the East River and nearby rookery islands also makes it an ideal stopover for through-migrating and nesting waterbirds such as the black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

Highbridge Park hosts many miles of pathways welcoming pedestrians and the northern section of trails includes a designated mountain biking area. The section north of 181st Street is managed by natural areas stewards with the New York Restoration Project.