NYC Parks Department: Concrete Plant Park

This Concrete Plant Park sits within the Bronx River Greenway, a 23-mile corridor of green space stretching from Westchester County to the East River. An operating concrete plant until 1987, the seven-acre waterfront site was acquired by NYC Parks in 2000 and opened to the public in 2009 — its industrial infrastructure preserved as sculptural landmarks alongside trails, a kayak launch, a waterfront promenade, and gathering spaces.

The Bronx River Alliance launched the Bronx River Foodway to demonstrate how a sustainable food landscape can be woven into a public park. RDG partnered with foodscape designs to develop a planting plan for the strip between the park’s western boundary and its main path. The palette moves from a woodland edge mosaic of shadbush, cornelian cherry, and native perennials at the north end, through a fragrant entry garden and nut grove, an open pollinator meadow, and a fruit grove, to a more structured south section featuring orchard fruit, annual vegetables, and a berry walk alongside the kayak launch.

Implementation began in Summer 2017. To date, over 4,000 plants representing more than 50 species have been planted, and the site hosts tours, workshops, and community events.