New York City Parks Service at Historic Bartow-Pell Conservancy

The Trip

Pelham Bay Park is New York City's largest park, at 2,764 acres. Since 2010, the Sierra Club has run numerous service trips focusing on the 60 acres surrounding the Bartow-Pell Mansion. But other areas in the park also need to be cleared. That will be our focus on this trip, but our base of operations will be the historic Bartow-Pell Mansion.

In 1654, Thomas Pell acquired the land that became the park from the Siwanoy Indians. The Greek Revival Bartow-Pell Mansion was built between 1836 and 1842 by Robert Bartow, a Pell descendant. It was one of some 22 grand country houses built by New York City's wealthy families who wanted to escape Manhattan's summer heat and humidity. It is the only house to have survived. At the time, the area was so remote that the best way to reach it from Manhattan was by boat. The mansion was beautifully restored in the early 20th century by the International Garden Club, which has since become the Bartow-Pell Conservancy. The mansion is both a National Historic Landmark and a New York City Landmark. A museum since 1946, it has a wonderful collection of 19th-century furnishings and decorative arts.

Pelham Bay Park is located in Bronx County, one of the five boroughs (counties) in the City of New York. The Bronx is the only borough that is on the mainland. The other four are on islands connected by bridges, tunnels, and ferries. We will be staying on Manhattan Island, working in the Bronx, and, on a touring day, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (on Long Island) to Manhattan. We will then take the ferry (the world's greatest free boat ride) to Staten Island, past the Statue of Liberty. Near the site of our work is a Revolutionary War battleground. Not too far from that site is what has been called a New England fishing village in New York City, which we'll visit. That village is City Island (yes, another island in New York City). Autumn is the very beginning of the leaf-peeping season, so we may also see the oranges, reds, and yellows of fall. 

The Project

One of the areas in Pelham Bay Park that needs our attention is the trail between the City Island bridge and Orchard Beach (the "Riviera of the Bronx"). We will be removing trees and brush to open the vista from the trail to Long Island Sound. The Parks Department will supply the tools for our work.

We will meet on Sunday afternoon at the International Youth Hostel in Manhattan. After a get-acquainted dinner at the hostel, we will spend the evening exploring part of Manhattan Island. Monday will also be devoted to exploring parts of New York City. We will do trail work and brush removal Tuesday through Friday. During one of those work days, we will take a tour of the mansion museum. On other days, we will listen to guest speakers talk about conservation and historical topics and maybe hike some of the park's trails. In the evenings, we will have the opportunity to see concerts and Broadway shows. The cost for concerts, shows, and the dinners and lunches away from the hostel are not included in the trip price. We will probably have two dinners and two lunches that are not included in the trip price. On Saturday, you will be on your own. We will meet on Saturday night at a restaurant for a farewell dinner.

Getting There

If you fly into any of the New York City airports, take public transportation to the hostel. Specific directions will be sent to all trip participants. New York is a walking city, with excellent 24-hour public transportation. Parking can be expensive, so it is recommended that you don't drive a car into the city. 

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at the International Youth Hostel at 103rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The dormitory-style rooms are clean and comfortable. Do not bring sleeping bags, but do bring a padlock since each room has lockers large enough for a small suitcase or backpack. The hostel, which is the largest one in the USA, has laundry and storage facilities. The hostel supplies our breakfasts. Lunches on work days and dinners in the hostel are supplied by a local caterer. Vegetarian meals are available.

Trip Difficulty

Although there are no long distances to hike or significant elevation changes, working in the park can be tiring and difficult, so make sure that you are in reasonable physical condition. Since this is a leader-approved trip, the leader will speak with each trip applicant. But do not be scared off -- we want everyone to work to his or her potential in opening up the vistas at Pelham Bay Park.

Equipment and Clothing

The New York Department of Parks and Recreation will supply all the necessary equipment. Since temperatures can range from the cold and wet 40s to the brilliantly sunny 70s, bring appropriate clothing.

References

Books:

• Ultan and Unger, Bronx Accent: A Literary and Pictorial History of the Borough.

• Burrows and Wallace, Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898.

• Kazimiroff, Theodore, The Last Algonquin. 

Conservation

Due to budget problems, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has entered into stewardship agreements with numerous non-profit organizations. The Bartow-Pell Conservancy is one such organization. We will learn about conservation issues in the city's largest park, which was created about 80 years ago. The park also contains the only public beach in the Bronx and the city's second-largest wetlands.

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.