Marble Hill Metro Station photo by Courtney Guscott
By Courtney Guscott
Community activists, policymakers and environmental experts discussed equitable access to Bronx greenways and waterways during the annual Bronx Parks Speak Up event at Lehman College. At the February 22 event the panel addressed the longstanding issues that prevent Bronxites in low-income and minority communities from enjoying the natural beauty of their home.
The event held space for the environmental groups as part of the Bronx Coalition of Parks and Green Spaces. Vice chair Bob Bender, who represents Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, has been advocating for greenways along the Hudson River for more than 15 years. “A neighborhood called Riverdale, without actual river access, is just the least of the ironies we face,” says Bender. He and his associates stress the importance of waterway access to the Hudson River, from Spuyten Duyvil into Yonkers. In working towards a sustainable solution that benefits everyone involved, Friends of the Hudson River Greenway intends to work towards collaboration with the MTA to incorporate a greenway between the tracks and the river. Collaboration between the two have proven rather difficult.
The Hudson River is not alone with its problems, the Bronx and Harlem rivers have suffered from industrial pollution and urban runoff leading to serious degradation of the water quality. Organizations like the Bronx River Alliance conduct regular water quality testing, identify temperatures, pH, and microplastics. Identifying pollution sources helps develop strategies to restore the river’s ecological health. About 90% of the Harlem River’s shoreline is congested with highways, rail lines, and industrial land uses, leaving very little access to the waterway and greenways for the public.
As a grassroots group that works with the communities surrounding the area, they work on the same issues as their co-organizations, such as the Hutchinson River Greenway. Administrator Kevin Daloia is a creator and active member of the community. Asked about the significance of the waterfront in the borough, he said he often likes to take a bike ride through the greenway. These green spaces “should always lead to a natural place where folks can gather and have peace,” he said. In 2024, New York City welcomed nearly 65 million visitors marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year and visits to parks since COVID in 2019 has risen by 6%. The need for waterfront access directly contributes to the need for greenways as well to improve overall health.
The folks over at South Bronx Unite bring community organizations together to improve and protect the social and environmental future of neighborhoods like Mott Haven and Port Morris. Senior Organizer Matthew Shore stresses their fight to reclaim underutilized public spaces and the long-overdue right to clean air and health equity. “One in seven children have asthma, an unfortunate statistic,” says Shore. “It’s not a coincidence it’s a result of our environment.” Approximately 17% of children aged 4 and 5 in Mott Haven and Port Morris have asthma, meanwhile tree canopy is around 15% contributing to higher temperatures and reduced air quality. South Bronx Unite raises further awareness in the way green spaces reduce air pollution, urban heat, and encourage physical activity.
From long standing struggles for river access to ongoing pollution, the 31st Bronx Parks Speak up continue to push for sustainable solutions that prioritize public health and environmental justice. Investing in waterfront access isn’t just about recreation—it is a crucial step toward improving air quality, mitigating climate change impacts, and ensuring a healthier future for all Bronx residents.
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