Over the next three years, Riverside Park Conservancy, in partnership with NYC Parks and the Natural Areas Conservancy, will restore 7.5 acres of forest along Riverside Drive, from West 143rd to 153rd Street.
A Forest Grows in West Harlem
A Promising Site
West Harlem residents deserve accessible, vibrant green spaces in their neighborhood to gather, recreate, and connect with nature. In a city as dense as New York, there are rarely opportunities to develop a new park, let alone a forest.
Decades of neglect have left this woodland in ecological decline. A few types of fast-growing plants threaten native vegetation and become dense thickets that discourage park use and invite litter.
By removing fast-growing vines, shrubs and trees and clearing debris, we are making room for new, native trees and vegetation to re-establish this forest’s ecological balance. This restoration promotes biodiversity, strengthens climate resilience, and will become a welcoming green space for the community.
Read the full press release here!
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A Healthy Forest
A thriving urban forest is not only a communal space to relax and experience nature but offers countless ecosystem services. Well-managed forests cool nearby streets and reduce associated energy use, improve air quality by filtering pollutants, and store carbon. This project is made possible by a generous grant from Treebed LLC.
Our holistic approach to forest restoration will also:
- Support water quality of the Hudson River by revegetating eroding slopes and increasing soil porosity to capture stormwater runoff and filter pollutants.
- Improve habitat for neotropical migratory birds by cultivating forage and structure for birds moving along the Hudson River corridor.
- Increase ecological diversity by implementing responsible planting plans and controlling the spread of fast-growing plant species.
Following in their Hoofsteps
As part of our annual Goatham event, over the past two summers a team of industrious goats devoured fast-growing plants along the steep slopes from West 143rd to 145th St. — literally clearing the way for this forest restoration to begin. These sure-footed goats can traverse difficult, hard-to-reach terrain, and can also gulp down poison ivy without a second thought. This chemical-free method of plant removal frees up human hands so we can work in areas of the Park that are more accessible.
Having successfully cleared the entrance to the West Harlem Forest, the goats will munch, bleat, and rest in a new section of the Park in Summer 2026 that will be announced soon.
Learn more about Goatham here!
Get involved!
Community stewardship and support are essential components of this restoration project. In late March 2026, Riverside Park Conservancy will launch the West Harlem Tree Club, a special group for community members who are interested in:
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- Learning about the forest’s make-up and health
- Finding out about upcoming events, including tours, nature walks & more
- Signing up for volunteer activities, such as clean-ups and biodiversity surveys
- Helping to guide a shared culture of forest care
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Stay updated! Join the West Harlem Tree Club:
