Riverside Park Conservancy
The mission of Riverside Park Conservancy is to restore, maintain, and improve Riverside Park in partnership with the City of New York for the enjoyment and benefit of all New Yorkers. We support the preservation of the park’s historic landscape, structures, and monuments, engage the community in active stewardship of the park, and provide a wide range of public programs.
From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city—side we work to enhance this Olmsted gem for present and future generations. Whatever it needs, Riverside Park Conservancy is by its side. Think of us as its gardener. Its advocate. Its sustainability manager. Its art curator. Its historian. Its visionary. And its guardian.
We work side-by-side with the New York City Parks Department, and we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves. With the dedication and generosity of neighbors and park lovers like you, we can elevate your park experience and preserve this historic treasure for generations to come.
In the Press
Explore the park
Riverside Park has so much to offer – scenic waterfront strolls, playgrounds, athletic fields, historic monuments, lawns for lounging, forested habitat, dog runs, restaurants, and more. Check out our map to see what your next adventure will be!
Volunteer
Volunteerism is at the heart of the Conservancy’s mission to conserve, improve, and beautify Riverside Park. Community involvement is essential to the park’s well-being, and our Grassroots Volunteer Program guides individuals and groups of all skill levels in making meaningful contributions to the park’s overall care.
We Count on Neighbors Like You!
As a nonprofit, 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Conservancy depends solely on the generosity of donors to operate its important work. The Riverside Park Conservancy supports the preservation of the Park’s historic landscape, structure, and monuments, engages the community in active stewardship of the Park, and provides a wide range of public programs.
Riverside Insiders
Sign up to receive updates about what’s going on in Riverside Park!
Activities And Events
Summer on the Hudson, held in partnership with Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks, is an annual outdoor arts and culture festival that takes place in Riverside Park from 59th Street to 181st Street. This free public programming series includes a mix of music concerts, dance performances, movies under the stars, DJ dance parties, kids shows, special events, education and wellness activities, and more. There is something for everyone! All programs and events are free to the public and registration is not required unless specifically stated in event information.
Click here to RSVP.
About the Series:
Join Riverside Park Conservancy’s Sustainability Team for four lectures led by local activists, environmentalists, educators, and composters. All events are free and open to the public and will include time for a Q&A and discussion. Stay tuned on social media and/or sign up for our mailing list at riversideparknyc.org for dates and details.
About the Event:
Join Nando Rodriguez, one of the co-creators of the Hot Box Composting system, to learn about how this innovative method for urban composting came to be – and how his 30+ years of experience in environmental education continues to connect youth in Harlem to the soil hands-on. With a focus in restorative justice, Nando is working to take local composting to another level of community support and push local representatives to deepen participation in NYC.
Discussion and questions are enthusiastically encouraged – bring questions along with you! Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Nando Rodriguez was born and raised in the Lower East Side and the Dominican Republic. Raised in a single-parent household, his mother raised 6 children (older sisters helped with the little ones) and he was the youngest. His mother’s reasoning to send him away for a portion of his life was her fear of Nando following in the footsteps of his elder brothers, who were caught between the street life of Alphabet City. Nando spent 5 years in Bonao, D.R. He always felt the need to help others, especially his peers who were less fortunate, and in D.R. he would create spaces for his peers to play games, often inviting youth from other communities to join.
Nando eventually returned to NYC and enrolled in East Side Community High School. It was there that he was introduced to Open Road of NY, as well as The Brotherhood Sister Sol. With Open Road of NY, Nando started to connect his purpose on Earth with Mother Earth and began to assist Open Road with the development of the HotBox. Nando also worked on green space designing with participants of these selected communities using the Participatory Designed process and developing or redesigning green spaces for community engagement.
With The Brotherhood Sister Sol, Nando continues to empower youth to become leaders in their communities. Through love, support, resources and guidance, The Brotherhood Sister Sol team is able to create a Rites of Passage experience for all youth to question what’s not clear to them and speak up when they feel their voice is not being heard.
Instagram: @HotBox.Composting
The Jazz Foundation of America presents a spirited summer concert featuring Sãlongo, a seven-piece Afro-Cuban / Brazilian group led by the formidable trumpeter Eddie Allen.
Supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
The Jazz Foundation of America presents a spirited summer concert featuring Sãlongo, a seven-piece Afro-Cuban / Brazilian group led by the formidable trumpeter Eddie Allen.
Supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
The Jazz Foundation of America presents a spirited sunset concert featuring the JFA All-Stars (June 14) and Harlem-grown vocalist Cantrese Alloway (June 22).
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
The Jazz Foundation of America presents a spirited sunset concert featuring the JFA All-Stars (June 14) and Harlem-grown vocalist Cantrese Alloway (June 22).
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
Fresh sand means one thing in Riverside Park: Spring! Join Riverside Park Conservancy as we freshen up the sand in your local playground!
SandSational starts with a bucket brigade led by kids, and followed by parents and caregivers. Our staff will be on hand, and we will be providing pails and shovels for kids. Join us at your favorite participating playground!
We are pleased to be partnering with local schools at several of our playgrounds this year! If you are not with one of our partner schools, please join us at one of the following open volunteer locations:
What to wear/bring:
• Your own (filled!) water bottle
• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
• Long pants
• Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
Keep all personal items with you at all times, as we will not have a secure area for bags.
For the safety of our staff and volunteers, if on the day of the project you are sick or not feeling well, STAY HOME! It is not worth the risk to you or to others.
Families and volunteers of all ages are welcome. For more info, email [email protected].
Enjoy a full day of county fair magic in Manhattan with live bands, sideshow performers, carnival rides and games, local food and merchandise vendors, cotton candy, and more!
Rain date September 15.
Check back in August for featured performers!
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
Projects & Initiatives
UpdatesThe Conservancy works to make the Park a better place for all the people and species that spend time here.