BronxBeautiful

Hunts Point in the 1800’s was “the country”; a lush, green meadow of woodlands with clear streams of fresh running water. 

Hard to believe, I know.

Hunts Point Road began as an Indian trail but later developed into a supply road during the Revolutionary War. It was used for unloading the ships that docked at Barretto Point, the red marker on the right side of the map. Our ClockTower is at the marker on the left.

Until 1950, the park site housed an asphalt plant and from 1954 to 1978 it was also a dumping ground for fill.

courtesy 

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/pd_proj_month_jan_03.html

But in 1995 the Tiffany Street Pier opened to the public as a test, a 410-foot pier jutting from Barretto Point out into the East River, just before the Long Island Sound. It was a huge hit.

Alas. A lightning storm burnt that pier to its pilings. But the park was so well liked Mayor Rudy Giuliani found $Five million in his budget to rebuild it.

Begun in Spring 2003 and opened with a bike path just 18 months later, Tiffany Pier in Barretto Point Park is a regular spot for the fisherman.

Although frankly, I don’t think I’d eat much seafood pulled from there. lol

Still, the Floating Pool Lady docks there for the kids to swim all Summer, right across from Rikers Island. The seven-lane, 82-foot pool is scheduled to open June 27, according to the Parks Department.

And LaGuardia Airport is right across the water.

11 flowering acres and a swimming pool just a short bicycle ride from Bruckner and Lincoln. Bring a picnic. It’s pretty out there.