NYC Plans 44 Miles of Greenways in Four Boroughs: Routes, Maps and Public Workshops
NYC DOT, NYC Parks and NYCEDC announced a new round of community planning for four future greenway corridors across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and southern Queens on October 26, 2026. Together the proposed corridors total 44 miles. This is a planning and public-engagement announcement, not the opening of 44 miles of finished bike or walking paths. Residents can weigh in on routing and local connections, beginning with an in-person Bronx workshop November 4.
Planning lengths: 15 Bronx, 12 Brooklyn, 10 Staten Island and 7 Southern Queens.
Bronx in person, 6–8 p.m., BankNote Building, 1231 Lafayette Avenue.
6–8 p.m.; register through the official DOT planning page.
City target for completing all six outer-borough greenway plans, not construction of all segments.
What did New York City announce on October 26?
The Department of Transportation, Parks Department and Economic Development Corporation launched implementation-plan work for four greenway corridors: the Bronx Waterfront, Historic Brooklyn, Staten Island Waterfront and Southern Queens. These are part of six outer-borough greenway plans supported by a federal RAISE grant awarded in 2022.
The city aims to complete all six plans by 2028 and distinguish projects that may be possible quickly from improvements requiring more construction and capital funding. The total of 44 miles comes from the four announced early-action corridors; it is not a count of newly built paths that are open now.
Bronx Waterfront: Randall’s Island to SUNY Maritime — 15 miles
The 15-mile proposed route would extend from Randall’s Island toward SUNY Maritime College. Planners want better connections to Hunts Point industrial jobs and waterfront parks around Soundview and Throggs Neck.
The first existing-conditions workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the BankNote Building, 1231 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474. A virtual workshop is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Residents should register through the official greenways project site and confirm any changes before attending.
Historic Brooklyn: Coney Island to Highland Park — 12 miles
The proposed Historic Brooklyn Greenway would examine links between Coney Island and Highland Park at the Queens border. The planning effort considers connections with the longstanding bicycle corridors on Ocean Parkway and Eastern Parkway.
The city also names Broadway Junction and Prospect Park as important destinations. The goal is not only recreation: continuous routes could make cross-neighborhood trips and access to subway hubs easier. A definitive block-by-block alignment and opening calendar have not been published.
Staten Island Waterfront: Goethals Bridge to Verrazzano Bridge — 10 miles
The planned North Shore waterfront corridor would connect the area near the Goethals Bridge to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge over approximately 10 miles, improving east-west walking and cycling options.
Potential links include the St. George Ferry Terminal, Tompkinsville Esplanade and New Stapleton Waterfront. Individual property, park and roadway segments will need further design and consultation; this is not a claim that there is already a complete protected shoreline route.
Southern Queens: Spring Creek Park to Brookville Park — 7 miles
The Southern Queens proposal would connect Spring Creek Park with Brookville Park over approximately seven miles, serving a section of the borough with relatively limited cycling infrastructure.
The route is intended to connect with the existing Jamaica Bay Greenway and improve access near JFK Airport, in coordination with broader airport-area transportation upgrades. The announcement does not establish that cyclists may enter airport terminals directly using a finished new path.
How can residents influence the design?
Public engagement begins with the Bronx Waterfront Greenway next week. The November 4 Bronx meeting will focus on existing conditions, current gaps and what people want from the route. The December 3 virtual meeting provides a second early opportunity to participate.
The city says engagement for the other three corridors is expected in 2027. Feedback can focus on dangerous crossings, missing sidewalks, accessibility, lighting, waterfront access, school or employment trips and connections with existing parks and bicycle paths. Check the official project website for registration and later borough-specific sessions.
What will be built first?
NYC DOT distinguishes near-term interventions such as pavement markings, signs and limited concrete work from permanent changes that require more complex construction and capital investment.
The 2028 target applies to completion of six plans, not guaranteed completion of the planned 44 miles of infrastructure. Route design, detailed funding, approvals and construction schedules are still to come. That distinction matters for both residents and visitors planning bike travel.
How the proposals fit into existing NYC bike infrastructure
The announcement builds on the Greater Greenways Plan released in 2025 and subsequent Bronx Harlem River and Queens Waterfront planning work. Greenways may traverse waterfronts, parks and city streets, connecting walking, running and cycling routes across different agencies’ jurisdictions.
For current journeys, cyclists should continue relying on existing official NYC DOT bike maps and current MTA or ferry information. Proposed routes are useful for public planning, not turn-by-turn directions until segments are constructed and officially opened.
Key questions before the next workshop
- Which crossings, intersections and missing links are most dangerous today?
- Where would lighting, protected junctions and accessible ramps make a meaningful difference?
- How should the route connect with transit hubs, schools, job centers and neighborhood parks?
- What near-term street changes can be made while long-term waterfront sections are designed?
- How and when will NYC DOT publish updated maps, funding commitments and construction milestones?