New York City Releases Major Greenway Plan, Envisioning Greater Public Access to New York City’s Parks and Waterfront

Source: Greater Greenways Plan

Detailed Multi-Agency Report, Greater Greenways, Details Past Development of Greenways and Identifies Potential Locations for Future Expansion – As Well as Other Opportunities for Integrating Greenway Projects Into Transportation Planning

The Greater Greenways; the New York City Greenway Plan, a detailed plan for the expansion of the growing network of greenways across New York City was announced. Greenways are continuous, multi-use corridors designed for human-powered and electric-assist transportation and recreation. Greenways are used for both transportation and recreation, increasing public access to parks and waterfront – and have become beloved by New Yorkers.

The greenway plan’s development was required under Local Law 115 of 2022 and is the first such plan developed in over 30 years. The law required that NYC DOT and the Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), in conjunction with other relevant city agencies and entities, develop a plan that details the development of greenways in New York City. The plan also features detailed maps that display the status and current jurisdiction of greenways across the five boroughs. 

The plan is divided into two chapters: 

I. Greenways of Today:

The plan’s first chapter presents the state of greenways in NYC today by defining and mapping the 506 miles of existing bicycle and pedestrian corridors. The plan then examines greenways’ myriad benefits, including increasing transportation options, enhancing safety, encouraging active transportation, expanding access to green space, improving air quality, supporting economic growth, and creating new connections to job hubs and commercial districts. 

The plan includes detailed maps that capture the 15 current systems and multiple jurisdictions overseeing the network, as well as current closures and detours. 

II. Greenways of Tomorrow:

The second chapter outlines the plan’s vision and goals. The plan’s five main goals for future greenways are: 

1. enhancing NYC’s transportation network;
2. promoting social equity and accessibility; 
3. supporting health and wellness, 
4. fortifying environmental resilience; 
5. fostering economic growth. 

The plan identifies specific gaps in the city’s existing greenway network and indicates work currently being done (particularly in the Bronx and Queens) to establish new corridors as well as potential new greenways. The plan allows New Yorkers for the first time to see more than 100 planned and underway greenway capital projects – providing unprecedented transparency for the network of the future. The plan also summarizes design features that ensure the greenway network can be accessible to all users. 

Greater Greenways builds upon the five outer-borough greenway planning corridors announced by Mayor Adams in 2023 and the Harlem River Greenway which began implementation in the Bronx earlier this year. Learn more about NYC’s greenways at nyc.gov/greenways.