Van der Donck Park
Van der Donck Park
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
How to get there
- Yonkers Station • 2 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
379 within 5 kms
Attractions
274 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
29 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
0
stephens473
Nottingham, UK435 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Great place with plenty to see on the waterfront in Yonkers, great views of the Hudson River and a very nice train ride from Central Station.
The Gold Star Mothers Monument is so emotional and a must see.
The wildlife park is full of very interesting statues and mosaic tiles , as well as the wildlife!
Very pretty station as well as many other interesting buildings all in a short walking distance.
We enjoyed feeding the ducks.
The Gold Star Mothers Monument is so emotional and a must see.
The wildlife park is full of very interesting statues and mosaic tiles , as well as the wildlife!
Very pretty station as well as many other interesting buildings all in a short walking distance.
We enjoyed feeding the ducks.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShannonLeeGilstad
Bronx, NY63 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
Now, the truth is I would not necessarily suggest somebody make a special trip out here unless you are an urban planner, transportation buff, and/or architecture lover. The park is very small and more of an example of what urban planning could be at its best than a true tourist site. That said, there are a few reasons to linger if you find yourself missing a bus or waiting for the next train.
In the mid-1990s the city of Yonkers decided to go back to basics. It decided to tear up a huge parking lot at Larkin Plaza and in a process known as "daylighting," reveal what was underneath the concrete prior to it even existing: the Saw Mill River. In doing this, they added a few waterfalls, a small promenade complete with benches, a footbridge across, and a fish ladder (we'll get to that in a minute!)
This is a great place to kill a few minutes and just watch life go by. One think that is interesting about this park is that you'll notice new, shiny signage alongside the now-exposed river with fun picture and photos depicting the wildlife you'll find here. That includes carp (and some rogue koi), eels, several bird species, and wild plant life. If you lean over the footbridge or stand at either far ends of the park, you'll notice mammoth blue fish swimming below that measure 2-3 feet long (!) What you'll also notice is an odd metal piece along side a waterfall leading down to the main pool that feeds into the Hudson River. There are some mosaics of local wildlife built onto the promenade and on any given day, you might find a surprise, such as a bench or street lamp with a "sweater" woven around it, as I did one summer afternoon.
In a city that is often described by words like "decay," "abandoned," and "troubled," Van der Donck Park is the gateway to revitalization, as can be seen in the small restaurants cropping up and buildings being rehabbed on surrounding streets. In fact, the Larkin Plaza model has been such a success that last year the city broke ground on two nearby streets to further expose the river underneath, using the land as future sitting parks.
In the mid-1990s the city of Yonkers decided to go back to basics. It decided to tear up a huge parking lot at Larkin Plaza and in a process known as "daylighting," reveal what was underneath the concrete prior to it even existing: the Saw Mill River. In doing this, they added a few waterfalls, a small promenade complete with benches, a footbridge across, and a fish ladder (we'll get to that in a minute!)
This is a great place to kill a few minutes and just watch life go by. One think that is interesting about this park is that you'll notice new, shiny signage alongside the now-exposed river with fun picture and photos depicting the wildlife you'll find here. That includes carp (and some rogue koi), eels, several bird species, and wild plant life. If you lean over the footbridge or stand at either far ends of the park, you'll notice mammoth blue fish swimming below that measure 2-3 feet long (!) What you'll also notice is an odd metal piece along side a waterfall leading down to the main pool that feeds into the Hudson River. There are some mosaics of local wildlife built onto the promenade and on any given day, you might find a surprise, such as a bench or street lamp with a "sweater" woven around it, as I did one summer afternoon.
In a city that is often described by words like "decay," "abandoned," and "troubled," Van der Donck Park is the gateway to revitalization, as can be seen in the small restaurants cropping up and buildings being rehabbed on surrounding streets. In fact, the Larkin Plaza model has been such a success that last year the city broke ground on two nearby streets to further expose the river underneath, using the land as future sitting parks.
Written 21 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HamTech87
New York85 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
After being paved over about a century ago, the Saw Mill River is now "daylighted" and beautiful. Featuring carefully-selected native plants, a fish ladder, and amenities for the native fauna, the River is a great place to see crabs and fish.
Really helpful signs explain the history of the park, downtown Yonkers, and the cool features to bring back native species. And it is near the Science Barge, so you can do both in one day.
Located at the Yonkers Train Station, it is a fun afternoon for kids and adults.
Really helpful signs explain the history of the park, downtown Yonkers, and the cool features to bring back native species. And it is near the Science Barge, so you can do both in one day.
Located at the Yonkers Train Station, it is a fun afternoon for kids and adults.
Written 5 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stefanchikm
Yonkers, NY60 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
By "daylighting" (uncovering) the Saw Mill River in Downtown Yonkers, which was paved over in the 1920s, they literally "unpaved a parking lot and put up a paradise." My kids (12 and 15) ask to go there regularly and love to walk around the restored 1915 train station and waterfront. The new Public Library (formerly the Otis Elevator Factory) is there too!
Written 21 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas S
Bronx, NY323 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
Nice views , good places to eat and pleasant views of the river and the NJ side of the Palisades . Right near Philipse Manor and the Science Barge so you can make an entire trip all in one area . Make sure to visit the train station too . There is a park right in front with a statue of Ella Fitzgerald or sit near the water to rest after waking to both ends of the park . If you need to go to the NYDMV and have the time , visit the park and area surrounding it .
Written 3 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jodym718
Yonkers, NY24 contributions
Aug 2015
Van der Donck park is part of the revitalization of downtown Yonkers. It features a daylighted Saw Mill River with interpretative stations along the walkways that explain the ecology of the river. Be sure to see the outdoor classroom with its beautiful tiles depicting indigenous wildlife. Take pictures on the arched bridge. Go during late spring or during the summer when the park is in bloom.
Across from the park is the renovated Yonkers train station. View the artictecture and then walk into the adjacent park to see the Ella Fitzgerald statue. Visit the 4 story Yonkers Public Library at Riverfront. The art gallery on the 4th floor is free to the public.
A walk north on the promenade brings you to the Yonkers canoe and kyack club and the Yonkers river pilot transfer boat and a view of the Tappan Zee bridge. Walk to the south on the promenade to see the sculpture garden, 911 memorial and views of Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge. To the west are the majestic Palisades and the Alpine New Jersey marina. Yonkers is the "parking lot" for New York Harbor. Depending on the day, there will be barges with their tugs anchored at Yonkers awaiting harbor call. Relax on benches at the Yonkers Pier.
Have the 3 course lunch special at Xavier's for a modest price, or a picnic in the park with sandwiches and drinks from The Wedge Cafe at the top of Van der Donck Park. The Pizza Place across from the Ella Fitzgerald Park has outdoor seating and colorful murals inside.
Across from the park is the renovated Yonkers train station. View the artictecture and then walk into the adjacent park to see the Ella Fitzgerald statue. Visit the 4 story Yonkers Public Library at Riverfront. The art gallery on the 4th floor is free to the public.
A walk north on the promenade brings you to the Yonkers canoe and kyack club and the Yonkers river pilot transfer boat and a view of the Tappan Zee bridge. Walk to the south on the promenade to see the sculpture garden, 911 memorial and views of Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge. To the west are the majestic Palisades and the Alpine New Jersey marina. Yonkers is the "parking lot" for New York Harbor. Depending on the day, there will be barges with their tugs anchored at Yonkers awaiting harbor call. Relax on benches at the Yonkers Pier.
Have the 3 course lunch special at Xavier's for a modest price, or a picnic in the park with sandwiches and drinks from The Wedge Cafe at the top of Van der Donck Park. The Pizza Place across from the Ella Fitzgerald Park has outdoor seating and colorful murals inside.
Written 13 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunwalker2001
Yonkers, NY103 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
beautiful setting,river view. Green Market on Fridays,& kids activities on Wed. Quiet spot during the week.
Written 29 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa W
Yonkers, NY153 contributions
I love what they've done to the place!! I live in downtown yonkers and the new additions are looking lovely. They need to continue improvement further up on Buena Vista Avenue.
Written 18 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoffrey A
New York, New York, United States93 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
I have spent considerable time when in Yonkers sitting in this park. I find it a soothing and calming experience most of the time. Particularly if I am waiting for the railroad or just need a place to check messages and respond or read a book as i did recently.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YonkersRoyalTraveler
Yonkers44 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
This isn't your average park. The park is really the day lighting of part of the Saw Mill River, which is being expanded at this time. You can observe fish and at times turtles in the river. There are native plants alongside of the river. From June to the end of October there is a Farmer's Market every Friday from 12 to 5 P.M. During the spring and summer, there are concerts to enjoy for free. This park is right across from the Metro-North Yonkers train station.
Written 9 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing