Palisade Ave and Riverdale Bronx

Join the virtual run as we go along Palisade Ave to Riverdale in the Bronx and back for our marathon training.

We run through the Riverdale Park Preserve which is described lovingly for its thick woods, secluded beauty, and spectacular views of the Jersey Palisades along the Hudson River Valley. The park is refuge for many birds as you can hear in the video. Some 27 species, including the screech owl, have been confirmed as roosting and breeding in the park. The Riverdale’s bedrock is billion-year-old Fordham gneiss, which is the oldest rock formation in New York City. On top of this Fordham gneiss, there rests Inwood marble. THis marble was once quarried in Riverdale for the production of lime. To this day there remains two lime kilns that stand in the park.

Riverdale contains some odd 50 forested acres. This area includes a mature oak-hickory forest, which only occurs on well-drained sites and is often found on upper slopes, the tops of ridges, or south and west facing areas. The forest is composed of mainly five species of oak along with hickory and black birch trees. The trees are on their way to becoming a mature forest.

Despite this rich flora, every area of Riverdale Park has been cleared and allowed to regrow. Even so, the southern section is covered by the same type of forest that existed in pre-colonial times. Rising up from the slopes of the ravine there can be seen tulip trees that grow as tall as 100 feet. Black cherry, Red oaks, hickory and black birch can be seen dotting the forest. We travel only along the roadway catching just a glimpse.

Enjoy this easy virtual run!