Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in New York City (2,772 acres), with a 13-mile coastline, salt marshes, shady forests and sunny meadows, a 19th century historic house, the Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary, bridle trails, golf courses, bike paths, and the only public beach in the Bronx – Orchard Beach. Since 1992, the Friends of Pelham Bay Park has worked with NYC Parks & Recreation to ensure that Pelham Bay Park is used for recreation, education, and conservation by present and future generations. We are a diverse group – neighbors, ballplayers, hikers, cyclists, dog owners, horseback riders, and history lovers – who care about the park and contribute a range of skills. We recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to plant trees, remove invasive plants, and help maintain the park’s hiking and riding trails. We sponsor or participate in community events such as EarthFest, Family Fun Day, the Special Halloween Celebration, and the Bronx Native American Festival. We raise funds for educational programs, such as the Sensory Garden for special needs children, and for community needs like accessible beach wheelchairs and outdoor fitness equipment.
