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East Harlem’s long-awaited reunion with the Harlem River is officially underway. City and state officials broke ground this week on the $353 million Manhattan Greenway Harlem River project, which will transform a seven-block stretch between East 125th and 132nd Streets into seven acres of new parkland, complete with playgrounds, picnic lawns, basketball courts and (finally!) a long-requested public restroom at 127th Street.
Funded by $310 million from the city and a $43 million state grant, the project will close a crucial gap in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a 32.5-mile loop that will eventually encircle the island with continuous waterfront access. When finished, East Harlem residents will be able to bike, jog or stroll along the river from northern Harlem to East Midtown—a first in city history.
“For decades, the East Harlem community has dreamed of reconnecting to its waterfront, and today we’re breaking ground on a vibrant, accessible greenway that delivers just that,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “This project represents so much more than new parkland—it’s a fulfilled promise.”
The redesign aims to deliver more than recreation space. The shoreline will be raised roughly two feet to protect against sea level rise and future flooding, while hundreds of new trees and thousands of shrubs will absorb stormwater and help cool the neighborhood. The plan also calls for native plantings, public art installations and designated areas for barbecues and community gatherings.
“Unfortunately, for too long, cyclists and pedestrians have mostly found greenways adjacent to the city’s wealthier neighborhoods, but under Mayor Adams this has begun to change,” said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “NYC DOT is proud to work alongside our city and state partners to bring connected, resilient, green space to East Harlem.”
The project, designed by Langan and Starr Whitehouse and managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, is the first phase of a broader vision to repair and rebuild the Harlem River’s historic seawall, once part of the old Harlem Speedway. Construction will be handled by Hunter Roberts Construction Group, with future phases extending north toward 145th Street and beyond.
No full completion date has been announced, but according to the Parks Department, the new restroom—one of the community’s longest-standing requests—should be ready by early 2026.