Pelham Bay Park natural areas

Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in New York City. In addition to the historic Bartow Pell Mansion and popular recreation areas such as Orchard Beach and the Split Rock Golf Course, park visitors can enjoy a massive 1,880 acres of natural habitat. These natural areas are home to rare plants such as eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens), and slender blue flag iris (Iris prismatica).

Located north of Orchard Beach, the Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary includes all of Twin Islands, Cat Briar Island, Two Trees Island, and the northeastern shoreline of Hunter Island. It contains many noteworthy geological features including glacial erratics, large boulders that were deposited during the last ice age nearly 15,000 years ago. The rocky coast of Twin Islands, reminiscent of the New England shorefront, is the southernmost outcropping of Hartland schist, the major bedrock component of such coastlines. The sanctuary supports a unique intertidal marine ecosystem that is rare in New York State.

The Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary makes up 371 acres of the westerly part of Pelham Bay Park. Included within its bounds are Goose Creek Marsh and the saltwater wetlands adjoining the Hutchinson River as well as Goose Island, Split Rock, and the oak-hickory forests bordering the Split Rock Golf Course. The area is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, great and snowy egrets, red-tailed hawks, and coyotes.

Rodman's Neck is the natural area to the north and south of City Island Road. This area includes a unique meadow, home to locally rare plants Turk's cap lily (Lilium superbum) and globe flat sedge (Cyperus echinatus), as well as forests with towering oak and hickory trees. Pelham South includes the former landfill, the Pelham Bay Park nature center, and the Bronx Victory Memorial, where osprey have been known to nest.