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New York City W Ater Tr Ail Guide

BRONX 11 i ² _ 23 44 16TH STREET PARK i ² _ Foot of Tiffany Street, Hunts Point Provost Street & Paidge Avenue, Greenpoint West Shore Drive and West 16th Street, Bayonne Launch from a concrete ramp on a cobble beach near the Tiered steps go straight into the water at a wastewater A concrete ramp and floating dock on parking lot or a sandy cove at the east end of the park. treatment plant, operated by the NYC Department of providing access to the and the Hackensack Strong tidal currents and heavy traffic in the main Environmental Protection, which provides access to River. Season pass required from Bayonne municipality. shipping channel; restricted access on both Brother explore the industrial banks of Newtown Creek. Heavy commercial traffic near the containerport. Islands (bird sanctuaries) and prohibited at Rikers Commercial traffic; water not suitable for swimming. 45 i ² _ ´

GUIDE Island (city’s largest jail.) 24 AVENUE i 200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City 12 HUNTS POINT RIVERSIDE PARK i _ Manhattan Avenue Street-end, Greenpoint This small beach next to the boat ramp on the south side Edgewater Road & Lafayette Avenue, Hunts Point This new pocket park has a floating dock on Newtown of the 1100-acre park offers a good spot from which to MANHATTAN A gravel beach offers access to the sheltered waters of the Creek providing access to the Creek and . There explore the west side of the Upper Harbor. It’s a half-mile 1 ² _ ´ . Portage is about 200 ft. on an asphalt path. is a combination lock on the gate to the dock; access is paddle to nearby salt marshes and about a mile to the Foot of W Dyckman Street A half mile north, a boom collects debris and helps available to boaters with NYC Parks launch permit. . Portage is 100 feet from the parking lot. The gravel beach is a good put-in for excursions on the prevent motorized traffic from going north; to the south Commercial traffic; water not suitable for swimming. Mudflats at low tide off Caven Point Beach to the or across the Hudson to the Palisades. Street are strong currents and a working shipping channel. ² _ south, heavy power boat use, and security zones and parking is generally easy. 25 BROOKLYN steady ferry traffic all year at Liberty and Ellis Islands. _ Foot of Main Street, DUMBO The cove behind the pier is protected, but there are 13 Westchester Avenue or Bruckner Blvd. The launch here, in a small city park, is a gravel beach strong currents on the Hudson, with turbulence under 46 MAXWELL PLACE PARK ² µ _ This reclaimed cement manufacturing site offers ringed by amphitheater seating on the east side of the Maxwell Place & Sinatra Drive, Hoboken the Bridge and at Spuyten Duyvil a concrete launch ramp to River. There is cove between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. A broad, sandy beach at the southern end of a new (the mouth of the Harlem River). limited street parking and a long carry from either the Car drop off is close--about 150 feet--but on-street waterfront park offers excellent launching and landing entrance at Westchester Avenue (.25 mi.) or Bruckner 2 WEST HARLEM PIERS ² _ ´ parking in DUMBO is difficult. in all tidal conditions. Just above the beach is the 130th Street & Marginal Street, Harlem Boulevard (.15 mi). A powerful backeddy makes for easy paddling in Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse. Car drop off is A floating dock about 75 feet offshore, a good jumping off A boom spanning the river collects debris and the cove, but currents outside are powerful. Large, about 200 feet and on-street parking available. point for excursions to upper Manhattan and the Palisades. helps prevent motorized traffic from going north; to the slippery rocks make launching and landing at low tide An active barge repair facility is immediately to the Restrooms at Fairway across the street; street parking. south are strong currents and a working shipping channel. a trial, and big wakes can create surf-like conditions on south; watch for heavy traffic and powerful currents on Watch for a Water Taxi landing in the same embayment; the beach. the . 14 SHOELACE PARK ² _ a wastewater treatment plant just to the north sees th SOUTH 219 Street, i ² _ 26 VALENTINO PARK & PIER i i _ 47 HAZARDS BOAT RAMP frequent sludge-ship traffic, and blocks visibility. A small 10’ by 15’ foot dock (150 foot portage) offers easy 35 NORTH CHANNEL BEACH River Road, Palisades Interstate Park, Fort Lee Foot of Coffey Street, Red Hook Cross Bay Blvd. south end of Addabbo Bridge, Broad Channel access to the middle section of the Bronx River, six miles A concrete ramp just south of the George Washington Bridge 3 BOAT BASIN i ² µ _ ´ A gravel beach provides access to The sand beach launch on the eastside goes in the th north of its confluence with the East River. Bathrooms offers a convenient put-in for those wishing to explore the W 79 Street, Riverside Park and Upper Bay. Weekend paddling programs Grassy Bay portion of , a popular kayak and water in nearby playground. Palisades and Upper Manhattan. A $10 fee is charged for car- A dedicated kayak and canoe launch has been added are offered by Red Hook Boaters. Portage from easy fishing destination, west side launch opens to Pumpkin The Bronx River has several dams with portage top boats. The Authority maintains a security booth on to A-Dock, the public pier at Boat Basin. Limited paid street parking is about 50 yards. Restrooms at nearby Patch Channel and North Channel. points, a weir that can most safely be cleared at least the road to Hazards--bring photo ID. parking; street parking is a quarter-mile away. Fairway Market. Heavy pleasure boat traffic in Jamaica Bay, stay clear two hours before or after low tide, and a DEP debris Obstructions, mud flats and rocks at various locations Dock is sheltered but there are strong currents in the Watch for fishing lines, swift currents off the end of of channels. This is a wildlife refuge, do not land on boom that floats just on the surface of the water but along riverfront; currents can be swift at peak tidal flow; Hudson; small boats moorings surround the marina. the pier, commercial traffic and a 100-yard security islands nor disturb flora or fauna. spans the river and needs to be cleared. zone around the cruise ship terminal considerable power boat traffic. 4 RIVERSIDE PARK SOUTH ² _ ´ 36 IDLEWILD PARK PRESERVE nd ² _ W 72 Street 15 27 Huxley and Craft Avenues, Rosedale 48 ROSS DOCK i ² _ O’Brien Avenue at Leland Avenue, Soundview nd The floating dock operated by Downtown Boathouse Foot of 2 Street, Carroll Gardens River Road, Palisades Interstate Park, Fort Lee Enter the park and make a left off the main path to an A narrow ramp offers access to a 160-acre nature preserve is right off the waterside esplanade at this park on the Dock maintained by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe just east of JFK airport. The bird watching is excellent in This former summer camp, north of George Washington former site of the NY Central Freight Yard. Parking is asphalt ramp located near the confluence of the Bronx Club is a good starting point for exploring Brooklyn’s Bridge, features a small beach landing backed by a rock River and East River (about a three block portage from terrain that ranges from freshwater wetlands to marsh on city streets, leaving a lengthy portage that involves Industrial waterfront. No facilities. islands to a large expanse of open water. seawall to the east of the large playground. street parking). The area offers expansive views of the The canal is a narrow commercial channel; water is descending a long stone staircase. Launching is difficult at low tide, due to extensive Obstructions, mud flats and rocks at various locations Sunken boats and debris can be obstacles at low tide. rivers, migratory birds and the distant Manhattan skyline. not suitable for swimming. along riverfront; currents can be swift at peak tidal flow. Barge traffic and other motor boats. mud flats; and the ramp can be slippery. 5 PIER 96 ² _ 28 SALT MARSH NATURE CENTER i ² _ 49 ENGLEWOOD PICNIC AREA i ² _ th CLASON POINT PARK BAYSWATER PARK ² _ W 56 Street 16 Avenue U between Burnett & E 33rd Streets, Marine Park 37 Palisades Interstate Park, Englewood Cliffs Foot of Sound View Avenue, Clason Point Beach 35th Street & Norton Avenue The dock at the Clinton Cove Boathouse is operated nd A concrete ramp provides access to the marshes of A 40-foot portage leads to a rocky launch area at the or Bay 32 Street & Dwight Avenue, Far Rockaway Launch is from Bloomer’s Beach at the northern end of a by Downtown Boathouse, open weekends and holidays. Pugsley Creek, the East River, the head of Gerritsen Inlet. Nearby destinations include Access to Norton Basin and the eastern end of Jamaica scenic picnic area opposite Spuyten Duyvil. Boats can be dropped on the service road to the West drainage, and Sound. Portage is 150 feet. Plumb Beach, and . Bay is provided by this beach launch. Obstructions, mud flats and rocks at various locations Side Highway, leaving a 200-foot carry. Strong currents in the East River, heavy commercial Heavy motor boat traffic from Gerritsen Beach; Launch perpendicular, as large, jagged rocks protrude along riverfront; currents can be swift at peak tidal flow; Must be 100 yards out in the river at cruise ship terminal. traffic, and lots of broken glass in launch area. conditions in Rockaway Inlet can be challenging. along shoreline; extensive mud flats at low tide. considerable boat traffic.

NEW YORK CITY WATER TRAIL WATER CITY YORK NEW i ² _ ´ PLUMB BEACH i ² _ 6 PIER 84 17 i ² _ ´ 29 W 44th Street Eastbound , just east of Exit 9 Knapp Street RESOURCES Lagoon, Pelham PADDLE SAFETY A wooden dock connected to the pier by a gangway and Calm waters and strong winds make the sand i ² _ Going Coastal, Inc. A ramp provides access to a protected lagoon — ideal 38 4 Wear a USCG-approved lifejacket at all times. accessible when the boathouse, maintained by Floating beach a favorite take off for windsurfers and kite Hylan Blvd. & Satterlee Street, Tottenville goingcoastal.org for beginning paddlers, and a good starting point for 4 Do not exceed your skill level. the Apple, is open. Paid parking on Pier 83. boarders. Launching is recommended at higher tide The site of a legendary display of American defiance more experienced boaters to explore the many small 4 Travel with experienced guides and in groups. Hudson River Watertrail Association Currents on the Hudson move swiftly; the security as mud flats make the walk to water several hundred early in the Revolutionary War, and the southernmost hrwa.org islands at the mouth of . 4 Dress in weather appropriate clothes, avoid cotton. Goingzone at the cruise ship terminal extends 100 yards out Coastal,yards at low tide. Permit is required. point in theInc. State. A long (800 feet) but well-paved At low tide, launch off gravel and mud surface below 4 Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. NYC Department of Parks & Recreation from the pierhead line. Do not disturb the horseshoe crabs in this prime pedestrian path offers access to the Arthur Kill and the ramp; Orchard Beach is off limits to boaters except in 4 Wear a wet suit if water temperature is below 65o F. nycgovparks.org breeding area. Challenging wind and tide conditions. . an emergency; heavy motor boat traffic in season. 4 Wear sunblock, hat and sunglasses. i ² µ _ ´ Watch for glass on the beach. Many semi-submerged pilings north and south of NYC Department of Environmental Protection 7 PIER 66 4 Wear protective footwear. nyc.gov/dep W 26th Street launch, and a shipping channel 400 yards offshore. 4 Know and obey navigation “rules of the road.” The boathouse is operated by NYRiverSports and hosts QUEENS NORTH NYC Water Trail Association 30 FIELD i ² _ LEMON CREEK PARK i ² µ _ ´ 4 Be visible—carry a whistle, air horn, flares, lights. the programs of New York Kayak Polo, Manhattan Kayak 18 BAYSIDE MARINA i ² µ _ ´ 39 nycwatertrail.org , Barren Island Hylan Blvd. & Seguine Avenue or Sharrott Avenue, Prince’s Bay 4 Carry a VHF marine radio & cell phone. Company, NY Outrigger and Hudson River Community Cross Island Pkwy. & 28th Avenue, Bayside A 1933 ramp provides access to southwestern Two beach launches provide access to Raritan Bay. Portage 4 Bring plenty of drinking water and food. NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program Sailing. Launching and landing only when the boathouse A concrete ramp near the marina and fishing pier offers Jamaica Bay. Landing on the islands (part of the 4 harborestuary.org direct access to ; the wetlands of Alley is 40 feet at Sharrott Avenue, 150 feet at Seguine Avenue. File a float plan. is open. The nearest parking is at Chelsea Piers. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge) is permitted below the Pond Park and Udall’s Cove are a short paddle away. Watch for fishing lines from the pier at Sharrott 4 Consult tides, currents and navigation charts. NJ Department of Environmental Protection River currents are strong. high-tide line only. Permit is required. state.nj.us/dep Parking and footbridge access at 28th Avenue. Avenue, the remains of a pier at Seguine Avenue, a 4 BE AWARE! From a kayak’s low vantage point, Underwater obstacles on southeastern side of ramp; marked channel in Lemon Creek, and a buoyed channel 8 PIER 40 i ² µ _ Landing at high tide can be difficult heading south vessels appear further away. Tides and Currents heavy boat traffic and strong currents in offshore channel. close to shore. tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov W Houston Street toward due to extensive riprap. A good launch for experienced paddlers wishing to 31 MILL BASIN OUTLET i ² _ Weather i ² _ 40 i ² _ ´ explore the Upper Harbor. The public dock, operated 19 LITTLE BAY PARK Flatbush Avenue, , Barren Island PERMITS & POLICIES forecastweather.gov Totten Avenue, Bayside Hylan Blvd. & Buffalo Street, Great Kills Harbor by the Downtown Boathouse, is about 120 yards out Best launch is the trail on the left approximately A natural beach on the west side of peninsula A floating dock at the boat ramp offers access to Great Bayonne Parks Department Season permit required at on the south side of the pier. NY Kayak Company and 100 yards to the beach through high marsh grass and is an excellent spot from which to explore Little Neck Kills Harbor and a nice shoreline of beach, dunes and 16th Street launch, open daily 7am to 9pm. 201-858-6070 EMERGENCY CONTACTS Village Community Boathouse are based here. Car drop dunes. Pit toilet located 150 yards away on the . and Eastchester Bays. Portage is about 40 feet. grasslands. A parking permit is required at the trailer lot. Gateway Hand Launch Vessel Local Emergency: 911 off is easy and there is paid parking on the pier. Heavy boat traffic cruising out of Mill Basin Currents are strong away from the shore, especially Heavy pleasure boat traffic and commercial traffic Permit (the former cartop permit) is required at Jamaica Currents are strong at the pierhead line; 25-yard Channel. Shallow marshes and sand bars near the Mill NYPD Harbor Unit: VHF Channel 17 or 718-765-4100 in the main shipping lane; heavy pleasure boat traffic on in the offshore shipping lanes. Bay sites, obtainable at Floyd Bennett Field NPS Ranger security zone around the Holland Tunnel ventilator shaft. Basin Bridge. NJ Marine Police, Newark Bay: 973-578-8189 weekends. Station for annual fee. nps.gov/gate 718-338-5094 ² _ ´ 41 MIDLAND BEACH i ² _ ´ US Coast Guard: VHF Channel 16 or 718-354-4120 9 32 MILL BASIN MARINA i ² µ _ Father Capodanno Blvd. & Lincoln Avenue, Midland Beach Governors Island The dock is open for landing only ² _ th Pier 101, near the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Vent 20 FRANCIS LEWIS PARK Avenue Y & East 69 Street, Beach (718) 241-5011 during public access hours from June 5 to October 10, USCG Traffic Monitor (24/7): VHF Channel 11 & 13 3rd Avenue at Parsons Blvd., Whitestone Midland Beach offers access to the Lower Harbor and This landing-only site is a small floating dock on the The marina sits on a protected arm of Jamaica Bay, whose 10am to 5pm on Fridays, 10am to 7pm on Saturdays and Located beneath the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, the Raritan Bay. The carry to the water is about 250 ft. north side of Pier 101, on the northeastern corner of 16,000 acres of open water, salt marshes, and beaches form Sundays. governorsisland.com 212-440-2202 beach is an ideal launch for exploring the easternmost Raritan Bay and Lower are open to The Water Trail is a network of safe, legal launches the island. Kayaks must be carried up a gangway with the bulk of Gateway National Recreational Area. and landings originally established by the NYC Department of Parks reaches of the East River. Portage is about two blocks the ocean, launching and landing can be hazardous in Launching and landing is permitted two sharp turns and left on the grass at the top. The Jet skis are allowed in Mill Basin. Paddling in groups and Recreation. This project supports a growing water trail system to from on-street parking. high surf. only in designated areas during operators open hours. Downtown Boathouse runs walk-up kayaking programs is recommended. assist the public with accessing and traveling the waters of the NY-NJ Strong currents, passing ships and barges raise large hudsonriverpark.org 212-617-2020 on weekends. i ² _ Harbor Estuary by human-powered boat to promote appreciation, wakes, and there is a 25-yard security perimeter around i ² µ _ 42 SOUTH BEACH Liberty State Park Public launch open 6am to 10pm. conservation and protection of the estuary’s unique and outstanding Busy shipping channels surround the island, and 33 Father Capodanno Blvd. & Sand Lane, South Beach the bridge towers. 1400 Paerdegat Avenue North, Canarsie (718) 968-1475 libertystatepark.org 201-915-3405 natural resources. We are aware of additional water trail efforts in Pier 101 sees multiple ferry landings every hour. Kayak Short (80-100 foot) portages from parking areas There is a 300 -foot carry from easy parking to a wooden NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation Launch permit required the estuary and will work to incorporate those into future editions. visitors must be aware of traffic and currents, and FLUSHING MEADOWS i ² µ _ ´ to beach launching opposite , just 21 dock maintained by the Sebago Canoe Club. Launch for $15 annual fee. Launches open April 1 to December 1, This publication is a joint project of should carry and be familiar with VHF radio. Grand Central Pkwy. & Northern Blvd., Flushing south of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. through the club’s open paddle program or membership. dawn to dusk. nycgovparks.org 212-360-8133 Access to via a dock, submerged at high Hazardous in high surf. Watch for designated Non-member paddlers are allowed to land. 10 SHERMAN CREEK i ² tide, at the eastern end of World’s Fair Marina. If locked, swimming areas, breakwaters and exposed pilings. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation W 202nd Street Paddling in groups is recommended in Jamaica Bay. nys.state.ny.us 212-866-3100 the key is at Pete’s Backyard on Pier 1. i _ This street-end launch offers good access to the bucolic Watch footing on the steep ramp and slippery dock, i ² _ ´ 43 ALICE AUSTEN PARK/ Palisades Interstate Park Launches open from May 1 to Harlem River. 34 CANARSIE PIER Hylan Blvd. & Edgewater Street, Rosebank mud banks at low tide, heavy motorized traffic, and 100- Belt Parkway to Exit 13, Canarsie October 31, dawn to dusk. Fees apply. njpalisades.org The park, historic house and sandy beach are an Local college crews row on the Harlem River. yard security perimeter around LaGuardia Airport. 201-768-1360 Put in at the sand beach on the east side of the appealing destination and offer an excellent departure _ popular 600-foot fishing pier. Seasonal walk-up point to explore the Lower Harbor. A portage of about Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse Contact New York Restoration 22 HALLETS COVE kayaking is offered by Rangers. 31st Avenue & Vernon Blvd., Astoria 400 feet from on-street parking. Project for permission to land at this Harlem River i Parking _ Restrooms A small beach offers access to the east channel of the East A launch permit is required. Watch for a gas pipeline to the west, jagged rocks at Boathouse. nyrp.org 212-333-2552 ² ´ River. Portage is 10 ft. Facilities at . Entry into the salt marshes or onto any islands in low tide, and significant currents and commercial Potable Water Food Jamaica Bay is not permitted. Watch for fishing lines Even experts can be intimidated by the swift currents shipping traffic in . Cover Photos: Rob Buchanan, Andy Novick, Bronx River Alliance; µ Storage Caution Interior Photos: Zhennya Slootskin, Jeff Chen of Mayor’s Cup; Copywriting: Rob Buchanan of the East River and turbulent waters of . from the pier.

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