Highbridge Park is the 119-acre stretch of Upper Manhattan parkland most New Yorkers walk past without realizing what’s inside. It runs along the Harlem River from West 155th Street up to Dyckman, and it holds the High Bridge — the oldest standing bridge in New York City, restored and reopened to pedestrians in 2015 after being closed for more than four decades. It also holds the Highbridge Pool and Recreation Center, the only mountain bike trail system in Manhattan, a public skate park, off-leash dog hours, and quiet ridge-top views of the Bronx that residents in Washington Heights and Inwood use for sunset walks. This is the resident’s service hub — the addresses, hours, ranger numbers, restrooms, parking, permits, and reporting lines you actually need to use the park, not the tourist version.
Address, Hours, and How to Find the Right Entrance
Highbridge Park stretches from West 155th Street to Dyckman Street along the western edge of the Harlem River. The most useful entrances depend on which feature you’re visiting. For the High Bridge pedestrian span, enter at West 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue (Manhattan side) or at University Avenue and West 170th Street (Bronx side). For the Highbridge Pool and Recreation Center, the address is West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. For the mountain bike trails, the trailheads are accessible from Dyckman Street and Fort George Hill. For the skate park, enter at Dyckman Street and 10th Avenue.
Park hours are 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily, which is the standard NYC Parks Department schedule for parks without overnight closures. The High Bridge itself, however, has its own published schedule — typically 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM in summer and 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter. The bridge gates are physically locked outside those hours. Always check the NYC Parks Department page for Highbridge Park before planning a sunset crossing in the off-season.
Ranger Contact and 311 Reporting Lines
For ranger services in Manhattan parks, the Urban Park Rangers Manhattan office can be reached at (212) 628-2345. For non-emergency park issues — broken benches, downed branches, dirty restrooms, graffiti, abandoned property, dead trees — the right number is 311. You can also report park conditions online at nyc.gov/311 or through the NYC 311 mobile app, which lets you attach a photo and pin the exact location. For emergencies inside the park (medical, crime in progress, missing person), call 911. The NYPD precinct that covers Highbridge Park is the 33rd Precinct at (212) 927-3200, located at 2207 Amsterdam Avenue.
For tree-related issues specifically — fallen limbs, hazardous trees, requests for pruning — use the NYC Parks Forestry team via 311 and select the “Damaged Tree” or “Dead Tree” option. For pool-specific complaints during summer season, call the Highbridge Recreation Center directly at (212) 927-2400.
Restrooms: Where They Are and When They’re Open
Public restrooms inside Highbridge Park are concentrated at the Highbridge Recreation Center at West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. These are open during recreation center hours (typically Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, weekends 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but seasonally adjusted). Pool-season restrooms become available at the Highbridge Pool building during pool operating hours (late June through Labor Day, generally 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a one-hour mid-day break for cleaning).
Reliability honestly varies. Residents report the rec center restrooms are dependable when the building is open. The pool restrooms are clean during operating season and locked otherwise. If you’re hiking the MTB trails or crossing the High Bridge mid-day, plan ahead — there are no permanent public restrooms along the trail system or at the bridge entrances, and the next reliable restroom heading north is at the Dyckman Street commercial strip.
Parking: Street, Lot, and What to Watch For
There is no dedicated parking lot for Highbridge Park. All parking is street parking, governed by standard NYC alternate-side rules. The most reliable street parking is along Edgecombe Avenue south of West 162nd Street, along Amsterdam Avenue north of West 170th, and along the side streets running off Fort Washington Avenue. Avoid stopping in fire hydrant zones, bus stops, or “No Standing” zones — Manhattan parking enforcement here is active.
Better option for most visitors: the 1 train to 168th Street or 181st Street puts you within a 5-to-10 minute walk of the High Bridge entrance, the recreation center, and most park entrances. The A train to 175th Street is also walkable. The Bx7, Bx11, and M3 buses all stop within blocks of park entrances. If you’re driving for the MTB trails specifically, head for the Dyckman Street end and look for street parking on Riverside Drive or 10th Avenue near the skate park.
Permits: Fields, Picnics, Grilling, and Large Groups
Highbridge Park has limited permitted facilities compared to flagship parks like Prospect or Central, but several activities still require advance permits from NYC Parks. Group events of 20 or more people require a Special Events Permit, applied for through the NYC Parks Special Events office at nyc.gov/parks. Applications must be submitted at least 21 days in advance, and the permit fee varies based on group size and event type.
Grilling and BBQ are not permitted in most areas of Highbridge Park. There are no designated BBQ zones inside the park, unlike Astoria Park or Riverside Park. Residents looking to grill should head to designated BBQ areas in nearby parks — the closest options are at Inwood Hill Park and parts of Riverside Park north of 145th Street, both of which require advance check on permitted grill zones.
Field permits for organized sports (basketball tournaments, soccer practice with formal teams) are processed through the NYC Parks Permit Office. Apply via nyc.gov/parks/permits. Pickup play on basketball courts at the recreation center is first-come, first-served and does not require a permit.
The Highbridge Pool charges a small annual membership fee for adults during summer season — typically $25 for adults and free for children, seniors, and youth. Bring a lock for the pool lockers; locks are not provided.
Dog Rules and Off-Leash Hours
Dogs are welcome in Highbridge Park but must be leashed at all times outside of NYC Parks designated off-leash hours. The standard NYC Parks off-leash schedule applies here: dogs may be off-leash in designated areas before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM daily, year-round. Outside those hours, leashes must be six feet or shorter and held by the owner.
Highbridge Park does not have a fenced dog run. The closest dedicated, fenced off-leash dog runs are at Fort Tryon Park (Sir William’s Dog Run) and at J. Hood Wright Park near 173rd and Fort Washington Avenue. Residents with dogs in Washington Heights typically use the early-morning off-leash window in the open lawn areas south of the recreation center, where there’s open ground and good sight lines.
Dog waste must be cleaned up. NYC Health Code violations for failure to clean up after a dog carry fines starting at $250. Bag dispensers are not consistently stocked in Highbridge Park; carry your own.
Seasonal Schedule: What’s Open When
The High Bridge pedestrian span is open year-round, with shorter hours in winter (typically 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM November through March) and extended hours in summer (7:00 AM to 8:00 PM April through October). The bridge is closed during severe weather and overnight.
The Highbridge Pool operates from late June through Labor Day. Exact opening dates are announced annually by NYC Parks; in recent years the pool has opened the last Saturday in June. Daily hours are typically 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a cleaning break in between. Bring a swim cap (required), a lock, and proper swim attire — cutoffs and street clothes are not permitted in NYC Parks pools.
The mountain bike trails are open year-round but are most enjoyable May through October. Trails close after heavy rain to protect the surface — check the New York City Mountain Bike Association (NYCMTB) website or social channels for current trail conditions before heading out. The skate park is open year-round during park hours.
The Highbridge Recreation Center (gym, programs, indoor space) operates year-round on a Monday through Friday and weekend schedule. Membership is required for full access; day-use fees apply for non-members. Check current hours and membership rates at nyc.gov/parks/recreation-centers.
Accessibility
Highbridge Park is built into a steep ridge, so accessibility varies sharply by location. The High Bridge itself is fully wheelchair-accessible — the pedestrian deck is flat, paved, and has ramped approaches at both ends after the 2015 restoration. The Highbridge Recreation Center has accessible entrances, accessible restrooms, and accessible pool entry via a lift during pool season.
The mountain bike trails and ridge-top wooded areas are not wheelchair-accessible — these are unpaved natural-surface trails with significant grade changes. The skate park has level paved access from Dyckman Street.
For accessibility questions or to request specific accommodations, contact the NYC Parks Accessibility Office at (212) 360-1311 or accessibility@parks.nyc.gov.
Reporting Issues: The Numbers to Save
Save these numbers before you visit, because cell service is patchy in the wooded sections:
- 311 — All non-emergency park issues (maintenance, trash, broken equipment, dirty restrooms, dead trees)
- 911 — Emergencies inside the park (medical, crime, missing person)
- (212) 628-2345 — Urban Park Rangers, Manhattan
- (212) 927-3200 — NYPD 33rd Precinct (covers Highbridge area)
- (212) 927-2400 — Highbridge Recreation Center / Pool
- (212) 360-1311 — NYC Parks Accessibility Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highbridge Park safe?
Highbridge Park is generally safe during daylight hours and typical pedestrian use windows. Like any large urban park with wooded sections, residents recommend staying on the main paved paths after dusk, traveling in groups in the wooded ridge areas, and avoiding the park during overnight hours when it is technically closed (1:00 AM to 6:00 AM). The Urban Park Rangers and NYPD 33rd Precinct both patrol the area. Report suspicious activity to 311 or 911 as appropriate.
Can I bike across the High Bridge?
Yes. Cyclists are permitted on the High Bridge but must dismount and walk in heavy pedestrian traffic, per NYC Parks rules. The bridge connects Manhattan and the Bronx and is a useful car-free crossing for cyclists riding between Washington Heights and the South Bronx.
How do I get a permit for a birthday party in the park?
Groups of 20 or more require a Special Events Permit from NYC Parks. Apply online at nyc.gov/parks at least 21 days in advance. Smaller gatherings (under 20 people) using benches and open lawn space do not require a permit but cannot reserve specific areas — first-come, first-served.
When does the Highbridge Pool open?
The pool opens annually in late June (typically the last Saturday) and closes after Labor Day. Exact dates are announced each spring by NYC Parks. Daily summer hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a one-hour cleaning break mid-afternoon.
Are the mountain bike trails for beginners?
The Highbridge MTB trails include beginner-friendly loops as well as more technical sections. They are the only legal MTB trails in Manhattan and are maintained in partnership with NYC Parks and the New York City Mountain Bike Association. Beginners should start on the marked beginner loop and ride during dry conditions.
Where can I park if I’m driving?
Street parking only. There is no dedicated park lot. Most reliable street parking is along Edgecombe Avenue, Amsterdam Avenue north of 170th Street, and side streets off Fort Washington Avenue. Always check posted alternate-side parking signs.
Sources and Verification
- NYC Parks Department — Highbridge Park: nycgovparks.org/parks/highbridge-park
- NYC Parks — High Bridge: nycgovparks.org/parks/highbridge-park/highlights
- NYC Parks Special Events Permits: nycgovparks.org/permits/special-event
- NYC Parks Off-Leash Hours: nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogareas
- NYC 311: portal.311.nyc.gov
