Review Highlights
“The presence of softball and tennis courts are an added plus for those looking for a sports-theme day.” in 12 reviews
“It's been said in many other reviews but I'll say it again: at 2,772 acres, Pelham Bay Park is *the* largest park in New York City.” in 9 reviews
“This park can be accessible from Interstate 95 New York, the Hutchinson Parkway and Pelham Bridge Road to Shore Road.” in 3 reviews
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Ask the Community
Q:
Can you drive here? If yes, is there parking through out or only one lot?
A:
Q:
Can we put our feet into this water?
A:
If you're referring to Orchard Beach, which is apart of Pelham Bay Parks 2000+ acre park, then yes you can.
Pat F.3 people found this helpful
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- May 31, 2020
I take advantage of Pelham Bay Park since it's so close to me. The reality of it though, is that PBP is a hidden gem of not only the Bronx, but of NYC as a whole. While I usually just walk the nearby Pelham Parkway trail or the surrounding neighborhoods for exercise, the park is really worth exploring even if you're not from the area.
It's been said in many other reviews but I'll say it again: at 2,772 acres, Pelham Bay Park is *the* largest park in New York City. To put it even more into perspective, it's a little more than three times the size of Central Park. While there are plenty of open, green spaces for lounging and picnicking, that's only the tip of the iceberg. Tennis courts, baseball fields, bike paths, and hiking trails can also be found in the park. One may not realize this, but Orchard Beach is actually located *in* PBP, so the beach as well as the attached promenade and fields are also components of the park.
Needless to say, there's a lot to see and do in PBP. Easily accessible by bus, subway, and car, it's definitely worth stopping by on a nice day.Helpful 11Thanks 0Love this 11Oh no 0 - Barry A.Queens, Queens, NY01015Aug 4, 2024
Pelham Bay Park is such a hidden gem because the Bronx still suffers from stigma. Beautiful and historical, this park has it all. Football fields, pool, close to public transportation, horseback riding, golfing.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jul 16, 2023
I love this park. I had an recent opportunity to go there with my Grandson. We walked near the dog run but there was only one dog owner and one dog. I've been here many times and I've always enjoyed myself there. I remember going there many years ago just to relax one of my friends said out of the clear blue sky "This used to be a Forrest"we just looked at him and laughed. We've had many barbecues in this park and many Birthday parties.
Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - Dec 4, 2021
Pelham Bay Park located in The Bronx, is New York City's largest park. Yes, that's right, with 2700+ acres it's at least 3x's larger than Central Park.
Did you know that Pelham Bay Park also houses a museum? The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, located on Shore Road, not far from Orchard Beach. This Mansion was the home to Thomas Pell and John Bartow's family for about four decades. Lots of history there.
Golf you say? You'd like to play 36 holes of golf? Well stop by Pelham Bay Park and play at New York City's only 36 hole golf course. That's right, 36 holes can only be played at Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Courses in NYC. Just a stone's throw away from Bartow-Pell Mansion.
Haven't ridden a horse in some time and would like to step up your Equestrian game? Come to Pelham Bay Park's, Pelham Bit Stables or Bronx Equestrian Center. With the miles of bridle paths within the park, either of these spots will have you trotting up your riding skills.
With these three mentions, I've only scratched the surface. The Bronxes Pelham Bay Park has so much depth throughout, and is filled with nature, 13 miles of shoreline, amongst so much more.
Bronx Flavor. If you don't know, now you know.Helpful 37Thanks 1Love this 38Oh no 0 - 62129430Apr 7, 2023Updated review
I really really love this park. Man.. Ive been visiting this park for over 15 years! Myself and with family or freinds.. I love how beautiful this park looks once spring and summer starts and the tree leave colors become gorgeous, doesn't colors running/ walking or jogging here or doing sports football soccer or track and field, groups that get together to do zumba , play tennis or to use gym equipment thats free space, it is addictive. So many people working out makes you get motivated to get fit. Lately, I've noticed new signs that help locate where your group might be. Incredibly helpful in finding your group. However, I've notice the lamp post signs (that signal where certain areas) have really deteriorated to the point there is no info. I spoke to Parks and Recreation and they didn't think anything of it, to my surprise, they could care less. Which was pretty annoying to me. Anyways here are some new pics hopefully we get new signs to replace the washed out ones. If this was manhattan parks im PRETTY sure they don't experience this nonsense.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Jun 27, 2022Previous reviewPelham Bay Park is my favorite Park in the world ppl. I ride my bike here pretty much 7 times a week. I run here . Bbq here. Picnic here with family and my myself as well. Its just such a beautifully kept park and parking lot. 100 stars if i could. I also have a trainer that works me out and a group as well. So many ppl work out here and sports groups also come out. Plenty of space for all to enjoy!!
- 4006004428Aug 7, 2018
Pelham Bay Park is more then meets the eye. The largest park in the Bronx and NYC at 2,765 acres. Most don't realize that PBP extends up the Hutchinson Pkwy (to Mount Vernon & New Rochelle boarders) along Co-Op city, to City Island and including Orchard beach.
The park includes several paths for biking & hiking, golf courses, marshes & salt water shores looking on to the Long Island sound. The main park has a parking lot, several play areas, and is a well known location for BBQ's and family picnics. There is a track and fields & court for multiple sports. The park even houses stables and has horseback riding trails. The park also provides a home to 2 Nature Centers, the Pelham Bay Nature Center and the Orchard Beach Nature Center.
The PBP Nature Center offers an array of different activities. With the most expansive calendar in the summer months of June, July, and August. The staff in the center are great... very knowledgeable, approachable and well versed on the activities at the park for both kids and families. The center itself is small but is the home of a few pet turtles and a couple of fish tanks, containing fish and crabs. Besides pets the center also houses several different educational tools and a few displays all providing, animal knowledge and history of the park. Good resource to know about for some summer activities.
Just A Note:
All activities/descriptions are not always listed on the nycgovparks.org website. So it's best to call or to stop by and pick-up a calendar for the month.
Summer wkends a good picnic location is a hot commodity and a spot in the parking lot is usually hard to come by.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - Jul 21, 2020
I love Pelham Bay Park. It's such a pleasant surprise.
When you drive in, you may be put off at the price of parking, but it's absolutely worth it.
The picnic areas have a vibrant feel, and Orchard Beach is very family friendly without overpowering you with Coney Island's eccentricity or the Jersey Shore/Long Island's classism.
The trails are perfect with a hidden-in-plain-sight feel. We went there on a weekend and spotted two deer, in an wooded area that felt so secluded that you forget for a moment that the parking area is filled with the beautiful sounds of bomba.
I will be back.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Katherine P.Stamford, CT19313261358Mar 30, 2019
Pelham Bay Park is, as many other reviewers have mentioned, the largest park in NYC, larger even than Central Park, which is enormous.
Pelham has everything - hiking, a beach, nature education centers, sports fields, and much more. We were mainly there for the hiking on Hunter Island, but we did also take a stroll on the boardwalk.
It was a warm-ish January when we were here, but it was still a really pleasant hike around the island.
Altogether a fantastic place to spend a nice day at!Helpful 6Thanks 0Love this 9Oh no 0 - Jul 27, 2017
One of my favorite places in NYC. Pelham Bay Park has a lot to offer from wooded trails, salt marshes, beaches, picnic tables with bbq pits, and wildlife. I love exploring the trails, climbing the rocks by the shore and sitting down to watch the birds or the waves. There is quite a lot of wildlife there; on one trip I saw great egrets, chipmunks, a rabbit, frogs and tiny fishes by the reeds and in the tidal pools. I've also done seining once on Orchard beach and found blue crabs, eels, and fishes.
If you plan on exploring Hunter Island be sure to use insect repellent. Also be mindful of the tide if you are going to Two Tree Island by Orchard beach because the strip of land becomes submerged during high tide.
The trails of Pelham Bay Park is very relaxing and it seems a world away from the city. It might take a while to get but it is worth it. The Bx12 bus brings you straight to Orchard beach but I believe it only runs in the summer. At other times you have to do quite a bit of walking to get there if you're not driving.Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
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