Riverfront Access Now Restored to the Public
On December 11, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano joined the City’s Department of Engineering and Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation at JFK Marina to unveil the park’s restored shoreline and newly constructed fishing piers along the Hudson River. The refurbished park once again provides shore accessibility to the public.
“For over a decade at JFK Marina, residents could not gain direct access to our city’s greatest natural asset, the Hudson River’s shoreline,” said Mayor Spano. “Today, we are returning the waterfront to the public. Now more than ever, we encourage residents to get outside, escape for some relaxation and enjoy the beautiful waterfront. Special thanks to the City’s Engineering and Parks Departments for their commitment in restoring this park to its former glory.”
The City’s multi-phased three-year project includes the restoration of approximately 1000 feet of the Yonkers shoreline, the creation of two handicap accessible fishing piers, new fencing and new park topsoil and grass. The $7 million city capital project involved removing the top 10 feet of the steel bulkhead and placing it with large stone rip-rap that were transported by barge down the Hudson River from an Upstate New York quarry. The new boulders created a new shoreline sloping 25 feet into the Hudson River.
For the last 15 years, the cordoned off shoreline consisted of corroded and failing steel bulkhead causing a loss of backfill material into the Hudson River, creating sinkholes and safety issues along the shore.
JFK Marina, located on the north end of the 4.5-mile stretch of Yonkers waterfront, features launching locations for canoes, kayaks, jet skis and motorized boats beginning May 1 each season. The park also is home to a picnic pavilion available for rental and hosts various events from the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club, Yonkers veterans, seniors and is the site of an annual classic car show. JFK Marina is open every day from dawn to dusk.
