Riverside Park natural area

Riverside Dr. to Hudson River, W. 72 St.to W 153 St.

Riverside Park contains steep-sloped coastal oak hickory forest, among other woodland plant communities, retained despite extensive modificaton of the Parks' terrain in the 1930s and 40s. Much of this natural area has a high quality understory with abundant herbaceous species and a mature medium-aged tree canopy. This park represents the most remaining connected natural landscape in Manhattan, stretching from W 72nd Street to Fort Washington Park on 181st Street.

The Riverside Park Conservancy manages pollinator meadows in multiple locations throughout the park, consisting of native wildflowers and grasses. The park is well known for goats used to manage the introduced, overabundant species that outcompete native plants. In addition, NYC Parks Natural Resource Group partners with the Riverside Park Conservancy to undertake restoration and management of these areas.