This summer, we’re filled with a sense of immense gratitude for our green spaces. Our 6 miles of parkland, from 59th Street to 181st Street, bring so much joy, respite, and vital cooling in the summer heat to New Yorkers every single day. In this month’s newsletter:
– Results of the first-ever professional eating competition between goats
– Launching our new grid-independent, solar-powered Info Center
– How we’re fixing sinkholes in the park
– Honoring a beloved fallen oak tree
– Upcoming free events & more!
Welcome Baaaack, Goats!
We kicked off Goatham 2025 by welcoming back a wonderful herd of goats at “The Great Goat Graze-Off” on July 12. The contest was officiated in an epic fashion by George Shea of “Major League Eating” and Nathan Hot Dog Contest fame, and had approximately 2,500 goat-loving community members in attendance! In the end, Mallomar chomped his way to earn the title of 2025 G.O.A.T. Grazer, eating the most mugwort of any competing goat.
You can visit the goats at 143rd Street & Riverside Drive all summer long! Stay tuned for more information about our online shop, where you’ll be able to purchase your favorite goat merch to rep the herd wherever you go.
Introducing our Riverside Info Center
We’re so thrilled to share that our *new* Riverside Info Center, located on the Greenway at 96th Street, is open for operation! A new hub for outreach and education efforts in the park, the center is located in a grid-independent “eco container” that functions both as an informational visitor center and an essential cooling station and remote office for the Conservancy’s field staff. Riverside Park souvenirs and apparel will be available for purchase in August. Stop by and say hello!
Tackling Sinkholes: Our Special Services Crew
If you’ve walked through Riverside Park between 100th and 116th Streets after rain, you’ve likely seen the significant flooding that extreme weather brings. Aging infrastructure and severe storms cause the park’s lawns and slopes to flood and form sinkholes. To combat this, we’ve started a new “Special Services” team, focused on storm mitigation, erosion control, and filling in sinkholes.
Honoring Our Fallen “Magnificent Oak”
One of Riverside Park’s oldest trees, fondly referred to by staff as “the Magnificent Oak,” was severely damaged in a storm earlier this month. Staff and community members came together, both in person and online, to reflect on the legacy of this beloved tree.
“This Oak was not just wood and leaves… she offered shade, shelter, and beauty to all who passed by—birds, insects, children, neighbors, wanderers. For more than 350 years, she stood through storms and silence, through seasons, and the ever-changing rhythm of this city.” –Oliver Lopez, Riverside Park Conservancy Gardener
Meet our Running Side by Riverside Team!
Each year, a dedicated team of Team Running Side by Riverside runners takes on the challenge of entering the TCS New York City Marathon, all while supporting the Conservancy with their fundraising. We are so excited to have six fantastic runners joining us this year! Click here to read more about their stories and support their campaigns.
We know there are so many Riverside runners out there! We invite you to join our friends at Palisades Parks Conservancy for their annual Palisades Half + 8K Trail Run race on Sunday, September 21, right across the Hudson River. Contact [email protected] with any questions.