View source for Pelham Bay Park

{{short description|Large public park in the Bronx, New York}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Pelham Bay Park
| photo = Pelhambay1.jpg
| photo_width = 300
| photo_caption = Northern tip of [[Hunter Island (Bronx)|Hunter Island]] in Pelham Bay Park
| type = Municipal
| mapframe-custom = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|frame-lat=40.782|frame-long=-73.965|zoom=10|type=shape|stroke-color=#000|stroke-width=1|id=Q2915654}}
| map_width =
| map_caption = Location within New York City
| location = [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]], New York, US
| coords = {{coord|40|51|56|N|73|48|30|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=title,inline}}
| area = {{convert|2772|acre|ha}}{{efn|name=size|The exact size is disputed, with some sources giving {{convert|2764|acre|0}},{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=13}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}} {{convert|2765|acre|0}},<ref name="Smith 2013"/> or {{convert|2772|acre|0}}.<ref name="Gregor 2014"/> Recalculations of city park sizes in 2013 determined that Pelham Bay Park was 2,772 acres.<ref name=nyt20130601/>}}
| created = 1888
| operator = [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]]
| visitation_num =
| status =
| publictransit = '''[[New York City Subway|Subway]]:''' [[Pelham Bay Park (IRT Pelham Line)|Pelham Bay Park]] ({{NYCS Pelham north|time=bullets}})<br>'''[[New York City Bus|MTA New York City Bus]]:''' {{NYC bus link|Bx29}}<br>'''[[Bee-Line Bus System|Bee-Line Bus]]:''' [[List of bus routes in Westchester County|45]]
}}

'''Pelham Bay Park''' is a [[public park|municipal park]] located in the northeast corner of the [[New York City]] [[borough (New York City)|borough]] of [[the Bronx]]. It is, at {{convert|2772|acre|ha}},{{efn|name=size}} the largest public park in New York City. The park is more than three times the size of [[Manhattan]]'s [[Central Park]]. The park is operated by the [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]] (NYC Parks).

Pelham Bay Park contains many geographical features, both natural and man-made. The park includes several peninsulas, including [[Rodman's Neck]], Tallapoosa Point, and the former [[Hunter Island (Bronx)|Hunter]] and [[Twin Islands (Bronx)|Twin Islands]]. A lagoon runs through the center of Pelham Bay Park, and [[Eastchester Bay]] splits the southwestern corner from the rest of the park. There are also several recreational areas within the park.  [[Orchard Beach (Bronx)|Orchard Beach]] runs along Pelham Bay on the park's eastern shore. Two golf courses and various nature trails are located within the park's central section. Other landmarks include the [[Bartow-Pell Mansion]], a city landmark, as well as the Bronx Victory Column & Memorial Grove.

Before its creation, the land comprising the current Pelham Bay Park was part of [[Anne Hutchinson]]'s short-lived dissident colony. Part of [[New Netherland]], it was destroyed in 1643 by a [[Siwanoy]] attack in reprisal for the unrelated massacres carried out under [[Willem Kieft]]'s direction of the [[Dutch West India Company]]'s [[New Amsterdam]] colony.  In 1654 an Englishman named [[Thomas Pell]] purchased {{Convert|50000|acre|ha}} from the Siwanoy, land which would become known as Pelham Manor after [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]'s 1666 charter. During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the land was a buffer between British-held New York City and rebel-held Westchester, serving as the site of the [[Battle of Pell's Point]], where [[Massachusetts]] [[militia]] hiding behind stone walls (still visible at one of the park's golf courses) stopped a British advance.

The park was created in 1888, under the auspices of the Bronx Parks Department, largely inspired by the vision of [[John Mullaly]], and passed to New York City when the part of the Bronx east of the [[Bronx River]] was annexed to the city in 1895.  Orchard Beach, one of the city's most popular, was created through the efforts of [[Robert Moses]] in the 1930s.

{{TOC limit|3}}

==History==
=== Pre-colonial times ===
Before the colonization of what is now [[New York (state)|New York State]] in the 17th century, Pelham Bay Park comprised an [[archipelago]] of islands separated by [[salt marsh]]es and [[peninsula]]r beaches.{{sfn|O'Hea Anderson|1996|p=4}} Geologically, most of the park's land first formed during the end of the last [[ice age]], the [[Wisconsin glaciation]], which occurred 10,000 to 15,000 years before the first colonists arrived. The melting of the glaciers caused the formation of the current marshes. [[Sea level rise]] from the melting glaciers caused [[sedimentation]] along the shore, creating sand and mud [[flat (landform)|flat]]s. Gradually, saltwater [[cordgrass]] started to retain sediment, causing some of the inland marshes to flood only during [[high tide]].{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=2}}

The [[Siwanoy]] (transliterated as "southern people") were the first Native American tribe to inhabit the [[Long Island Sound]]'s northern shoreline east to [[Connecticut]]. They lived a mostly [[hunter-gatherer]] existence.{{sfn|O'Hea Anderson|1996|p=5}}<ref name="NYC Parks 2006"/> The Siwanoy used the modern-day park site as a ceremonial and burial site, as evidenced by the [[wampum]] belts found in the area,<ref name="Siwanoy Trail 1989">{{cite web | title=Siwanoy Trail | website=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation | date=March 20, 1989 | url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11658 | access-date=September 13, 2017 | archive-date=October 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213423/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11658 | url-status=live }}</ref> which were used for diplomatic purposes among local Native American tribes.<ref name="Day2013">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BoOGYeaQ64C&pg=PT2|title=Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City|author=Leslie Day|date=May 10, 2013|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-1-4214-1149-1|chapter=Chapter 2: The Bronx}}</ref> Two [[glacial erratic]]s in the park, deposited during the end of the last ice age, were used ceremonially by the Siwanoy: the "Gray Mare" on [[Hunter Island (Bronx)|Hunter Island]], and Mishow near the [[Theodore Kazimiroff Nature Trail]].{{sfn|O'Hea Anderson|1996|p=5}}

=== 17th and 18th centuries ===
[[File:Pelham Bay Park aerial view.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Aerial view of the park (pictured in the center left)]]

The [[Dutch West India Company]] purchased the land in 1639.<ref name="Day2013" /> They called it ''Vreedelandt'', which translates to "land of peace",<ref name="NYC Parks 2006"/><ref name="Stevens DeCosta Johnston Lamb 1892">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tKA_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA408|title=The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries|last1=Stevens|first1=J.A.|last2=DeCosta|first2=B.F.|last3=Johnston|first3=H.P.|last4=Lamb|first4=M.J.|last5=Pond|first5=N.G.|last6=Abbatt|first6=W.|publisher=A. S. Barnes.|year=1892|pages=408|access-date=October 5, 2017|issue=v. 27}}</ref> and alternatively ''Oostdorp'', meaning "east village".<ref name="Stevens DeCosta Johnston Lamb 1892" /> ''Oostdorp'' became the area known as [[Westchester Square, Bronx|Westchester Square]], to the southwest of the current park.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/owen-dolen-park/monuments/1698|title=Owen F. Dolen Park Monuments|date=April 30, 1926|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=October 6, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212125/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/owen-dolen-park/monuments/1698|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1642, [[Anne Hutchinson]] and her family moved from [[Rhode Island]] to Split Rock, along the Hutchinson River in what is now Pelham Bay Park. Although the family was English, the land was part of [[New Netherland]] under Dutch authority.<ref name="Champlin1913">{{cite journal |last=Champlin |first=John Denison |author-link=John Denison Champlin, Jr. |title=The Tragedy of Anne Hutchinson |journal=Journal of American History |volume=5 |issue=3 |year=1913 |page=11}}</ref> The exact location of the Hutchinson house is unknown, with one scholar saying that the house was in the modern-day park on the east side of the Hutchinson River,<ref name=LaPlante/>{{rp|231}} and another saying that the house was on the west side of the river in now [[Baychester, Bronx|Baychester]].{{sfn|Barr|1946|p=5}} The Siwanoy destroyed the Hutchinson settlement and killed the family in August 1643,<ref name=LaPlante/>{{rp|239}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=Robert Charles |author-link= |title=The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England 1634–1635 |volume=III G-H |year=2003 |publisher=New England Historic Genealogical Society |location=Boston |isbn=0-88082-158-2 |pages=479–481 }}</ref> in reprisal for the unrelated massacres carried out under [[Willem Kieft]]'s direction of the Dutch West India Company's [[New Amsterdam]] colony.<ref name="Stille2006">{{cite book|author=Darlene R. Stille|title=Anne Hutchinson: Puritan Protester|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmB9rqSvyRAC&pg=PA111|date=August 2006|publisher=Capstone|isbn=978-0-7565-1784-7|pages=85–88}}</ref><ref name="LaPlante">{{cite book |last=LaPlante |first=Eve |author-link=Eve LaPlante |title=American Jezebel, The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, The Woman Who Defied the Puritans |year=2004 |publisher=Harper Collins |place=San Francisco |isbn=0-06-056233-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTj1N-egHsMC |access-date=October 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234712/https://books.google.com/books?id=TTj1N-egHsMC |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|237}}<ref name="Champlin1913"/>

In 1654 an Englishman named [[Thomas Pell]] purchased {{convert|50,000|acre|ha}} from the Siwanoy, comprising the land of the current Pelham Bay Park as well as the nearby town of [[Pelham, New York]], and made his estate on {{convert|9188|acre|ha}} of that land.<ref name="nyt-war-record-1921" />{{sfn|Pell|1917|p=5}} The current park consists of the southernmost portion of Pell's estate, excluding [[Hart Island (New York)|Hart Island]] and [[City Island, Bronx|City Island]].{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=35}} Pell's land became known as Pelham Manor after [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]'s 1666 charter,{{sfn|Pell|1917|p=5}}{{sfn|O'Hea Anderson|1996|p=12}} and parts of Pell's land claim were in conflict with that of other nearby settlers.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}} Pell died in 1669, willing his property to his nephew John,{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}}{{sfn|Pell|1917|p=12}} who sold off City Island in 1685.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}} The land grant was renewed in 1687.{{sfn|Pell|1917|p=5}} The next year, [[Jacob Leisler]] bought {{convert|6000|acre|ha}} of the remaining property on behalf of the [[Huguenots]], and with that land, founded the town of [[New Rochelle, New York|New Rochelle]] for the Huguenots.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}}{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=35}} Upon John Pell's death in 1700, he willed the property to his son Joseph, who in turn transferred ownership to his own son, John. Ownership of the manor then went to the Bartow family,{{sfn|Pell|1917|p=16}} who were maternal descendants of the Pell family.<ref name="Stevens DeCosta Johnston Lamb 1892" /> The Pell family burial plot faced the Pelham Bay waterfront on the eastern side of the manor.{{sfn|ASHPS Annual Report|1909|p=63}}{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=313}}

[[File:Pell's point2.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Map of Pelham Bay Park's future site at the time of the [[Battle of Pell's Point]]]]

The land was the site of the [[Battle of Pell's Point]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref>{{cite book|last=McCullough|first=David|title=1776|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780743226721|url-access=registration|location=New York|publisher=Simon and Schuster Paperback|year=2006|isbn=0-7432-2672-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780743226721/page/209 209]}}</ref> After the British forces unsuccessfully attempted to trap the main body of the [[Continental Army]] on the island of [[Manhattan]], British Army [[Commander-in-Chief, North America|commander-in-chief]] General [[William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe|Sir William Howe]] looked for another location along [[Long Island Sound]] to disembark his troops.<ref name="Ward1952" />{{rp|246, 255}} On October 18, 1776, he landed 4,000 men at [[Pelham (village), New York|Pelham]], close to the current park.<ref name="Abbatt1901" />{{rp|5}} A brigade of 750 men under the command of the American Colonel [[John Glover (general)|John Glover]] were already inland, and they attacked the British advance units from behind a series of stone walls.<ref name="Abbatt1901">{{cite book|last=Abbatt|first=William|title=The Battle of Pell's Point|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NKGAAAAAIAA|location=New York|publisher=University of California|year=1901}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{rp|14–17}} After a series of attacks, the British broke off, and the Americans retreated.<ref name="Ward1952">{{cite book|last=Ward|first=Christopher|title=The War of the Revolution, Volume 1|location=New York|publisher=The Macmillan Company|year=1952}}</ref>{{rp|255}}<ref name="nyt-war-record-1921">{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/08/14/107024022.pdf|title=War Record of Pelham Bay Park; War Record of Pelham Bay Park|date=August 14, 1921|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234713/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/08/14/107024022.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=161}}

In 1836, Robert Bartow, a descendant of Thomas Pell,<ref name="Smith 2013" /> bought {{Convert|30|acre|ha}} of his ancestor's old estate. By 1842, construction was complete on the [[Bartow-Pell Mansion]], the family's manor.<ref name="Gray 2002">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/realestate/streetscapes-bartow-pell-mansion-bronx-1842-home-now-museum-city-s-largest-park.html|title=STREETSCAPES / THE BARTOW-PELL MANSION IN THE BRONX; 1842 Home, Now a Museum, In City's Largest Park|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=April 28, 2002|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075245/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/realestate/streetscapes-bartow-pell-mansion-bronx-1842-home-now-museum-city-s-largest-park.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bartow died in 1868, and his family sold the mansion to the city in the 1880s.<ref name="Gray 2002" /> The mansion was vacant until 1915, when the city and International Garden Club assumed joint maintenance of the building.<ref name="Gray 2002" /><ref name="Castellucci 1977">{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Tarrytown%20Ny%20Daily%20News/Tarrytown%20NY%20Daily%20News%201977/Tarrytown%20NY%20Daily%20News%201977%20-%202593.pdf|title=Garden Club's Mansion Official Landmark Now|last=Castellucci|first=John|date=March 18, 1977|work=The Daily News|access-date=October 2, 2017|location=[[Tarrytown, New York]]|page=A5|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234714/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Tarrytown%20Ny%20Daily%20News/Tarrytown%20NY%20Daily%20News%201977/Tarrytown%20NY%20Daily%20News%201977%20-%202593.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1870s and 1880s: Creation ===
In the 1870s, landscape architect [[Frederick Law Olmsted]] envisioned a [[Green belt|greenbelt]] across the Bronx, consisting of parks and parkways that would align more with existing geography than a grid system similar to the [[Commissioners' Plan of 1811]] in Manhattan. That grid had given rise to [[Central Park]], a park with mostly artificial features within the bounds of the grid.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HnJRAAAAMAAJ|title=Landscape into Cityscape: Frederick Law Olmsted's Plans for a Greater New York City|last1=Olmsted|first1=Frederick Law|last2=Vaux|first2=Calvert|last3=Croes|first3=John James Robertson|date=1968|publisher=Cornell University Press|editor-last=Fein|editor-first=Albert|pages=331|isbn=9780442225391|language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Gonzalez|2004|p=47}} However, in 1877, the city declined to act upon his plan.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Golan|first=Michael|date=1975|title=Bronx Parks: A Wonder From the Past|journal=Bronx County Historical Society Journal|publisher=The Bronx County Historical Society|volume=12|issue=2|pages=32–41}}</ref> Around the same time, ''[[New York Herald]]'' editor [[John Mullaly]] pushed for the creation of parks in New York City, particularly lauding the [[Van Cortlandt family|Van Cortlandt]] and Pell families' properties in the western and eastern Bronx respectively. He formed the [[New York Park Association]] in November 1881.{{sfn|Gonzalez|2004|p=49}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1881/11/27/102771016.pdf|title=The Need of More Parks; First Meeting of the New-York Park Association Yesterday.|date=November 27, 1881|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924220129/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1881/11/27/102771016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> There were objections to the system, which would apparently be too far from Manhattan, in addition to precluding development on the site.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a|p=3}}<ref name="The New York Times 1884">{{cite news |date=March 25, 1884 |title=The Albany Legislators |work=The New York Times |location=[[Albany, New York]] |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1884/03/25/106145636.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924220301/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1884/03/25/106145636.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref> However, newspapers and prominent lobbyists, who supported such a park system, were able to petition the bill into the [[New York State Senate]], and later, the [[New York State Assembly]] (the legislature's [[lower house]]).{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a|p=56}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/newparksbeyondha00mull|title=The New Parks Beyond the Harlem: With Thirty Illustrations and Map. Descriptions of Scenery. Nearly 4,000 Acres of Free Playground for the People|last=Mullaly|first=John|date=1887|publisher=Nabu Press|isbn=978-1-141-64293-9|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newparksbeyondha00mull/page/117 117]–138}}</ref> In June 1884, Governor [[Grover Cleveland]] signed the [[New Parks Act]] into law, authorizing the creation of the park system.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a|p=56}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1884 |title=Gov. Cleveland and the Bills |pages=4 |work=The Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sun-gov-cleveland-and-the-bills/136048955/ |access-date=November 30, 2023}}</ref>

[[Image:Hutchinson River mouth jeh.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Mouth of [[Hutchinson River]], in the park]]

Legal disputes carried on for years. Opponents argued that building a park system would divert funds from more important infrastructure, and that everyone in the city would need to pay taxes to pay for the parks' construction, regardless of whether they lived near the parks. In particular, Pelham Bay Park was located within Westchester County at the time, out of city limits.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a|pp=57–58}} The city was reluctant to pay to buy the parkland because of the cost and locations.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}} Supporters argued that the parks were for the benefit of all the city's citizens; that the value of properties near the parks would appreciate greatly over time; that the Pelham Bay Park site could easily be converted into a park; and that Pelham Bay Park would soon be annexed to the city. Ultimately, the parks were established, owing to efforts from supporters.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a|pp=57–58}}

After much litigation, the city acquired the land for the park.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}} Although the residents of Pelham had initially supported the park's creation, they came to oppose it when they found that the park's creation would decrease the town's tax revenue.<ref name="sun18870325" /> The 1,700 acres of land for the park were part of the town's {{Convert|3000|acre|ha|adj=on}} area at that time, but could not be taxed, nearly halving the town's tax revenues from land area. One Pelham resident's letter to New York City Mayor [[Abram Hewitt]], asking for financial assistance to supplement the town's growing tax rate, was published in ''The New York Times'' in February 1887.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1888/02/05/106313660.pdf|title=Pelham in Despair.; Foreseeing Bankruptcy Through the Park Scheme.|date=February 5, 1888|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 6, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234715/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1888/02/05/106313660.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A month later, a group of Pelham residents petitioned Hewitt to oppose the park plan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/25/100902935.pdf|title=The Pelham Park.; Westchester People Ask Mayor Hewitt's Aid to Kill the Scheme.|date=March 25, 1887|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 6, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234713/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1887/03/25/100902935.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sun18870325">{{Cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1887-03-25/ed-1/seq-4/|title=Pelham as Sick of the Park as We Are|date=March 25, 1887|work=New York Sun|access-date=October 6, 2017|pages=4|via=Library of Congress|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006220222/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1887-03-25/ed-1/seq-4/|url-status=live}}</ref> The government of New York City also did not want to pay taxes to the town of Pelham if it bought the land for the park, which had been one of the reasons for its initial opposition to acquiring the land.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1888-02-05/ed-1/seq-11/|title=Rough on Pelham, But Must We Pay for It?|date=February 5, 1888|work=The Sun|access-date=October 7, 2017|pages=11|issn=1940-7831|via=Library of Congress|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080004/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1888-02-05/ed-1/seq-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> There was a proposal to have New York City pay taxes to Pelham if it acquired the land, which the city's Tax Department called "entirely novel, and of course, wrong".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1888-02-05/ed-1/seq-9/|title=To Tax Pelham Bay Park — Trying to Bleed New-York Heavily — an Almost Useless Park That May Come Nigh — Two Sides to the Story|date=February 5, 1888|work=New York Tribune|access-date=October 7, 2017|issn=1941-0646|via=Library of Congress|archive-date=November 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108233805/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1888-02-05/ed-1/seq-9/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite Pelham residents' opposition to the park, the city acquired the land for Pelham Bay Park in 1887, and it officially became a park in 1888.<ref name="Legislature 1888">{{cite book|title=Laws of the State of New York: Passed at the Session of the Legislature|series=Laws of New York |date=1888|publisher=New York State Legislature|via=HathiTrust|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433090742036?urlappend=%3Bseq=710|access-date=October 16, 2017|pages=693–696|hdl=2027/nyp.33433090742036?urlappend=%3Bseq=710|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234737/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433090742036;seq=710;a=zoom:1|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|693}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}} Pelham Bay Park became a recreation area under the auspices of the Bronx Parks Department,{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=987}} which bought the land for $2,746,688, {{inflation|US|value=2746688|start_year=1888|fmt=eq}}.<ref name="NYC Parks 2006">{{cite web | title=Pelham Bay Park Highlights : NYC Parks | website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation | date=September 29, 2006 | url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/history | access-date=October 5, 2017 | archive-date=May 27, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527072246/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/history | url-status=live }}</ref> The park used land from multiple estates spread out over an excess of {{convert|1700|acre|ha}}.<ref name="NYC Parks 2006" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}}<ref name="City of New York 1986" /> Some of the old estates' mansions were still standing twenty years later.{{sfn|ASHPS Annual Report|1909|pp=64–66}} To alleviate the concerns of Westchester property owners who lost land during the park system's acquisition, the New York City Commissioners of Estimate distributed compensation payments.<ref name="Legislature 1888" />{{rp|694}} The Commissioners of Estimate paid a combined $9 million ({{inflation|US|start_year=1889|value=9000000|fmt=eq}}), but some land owners sued for more compensation in 1889.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-03-16/ed-1/seq-4/|title=The Courts|date=March 16, 1889|work=New York Tribune|access-date=October 6, 2017|pages=4|via=Library of Congress|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006221802/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1889-03-16/ed-1/seq-4/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1890s to 1920s: Early years===
[[File:Pelham Bay Park (2547804531).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Rock outcropping in Pelham Bay Park]]

In 1890, Mullaly proposed using the site for the [[World's Columbian Exposition|1893 World's Fair]] due to its size;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1889/08/30/100969619.pdf|title=Pelham Bay Park.|date=August 30, 1889|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 3, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234721/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1889/08/30/100969619.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the fair was eventually awarded to [[Chicago]] instead.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vfsw96Eqko8C|title=The World's Coumbian Exposition: The Chicago World's Fair of 1893|last1=Bolotin|first1=Norm|last2=Laing|first2=Christine|date=1992|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=9780252070815|pages=3|language=en}}</ref> The Pell family's burial vault was also marked for preservation that year,<ref name="Minutes 1890">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201890_5.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: Minutes and Documents: May 8, 1889 – April 30, 1890 |date=April 30, 1890 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172312/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201890_5.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|34 (PDF p.135)}} and in July 1891, the descendants of the Pell family were given permission to maintain and restore the plot.<ref name="Minutes 1892">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201892_2.pdf|title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 13, 1891 – April 28, 1892|date=April 30, 1892|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172343/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201892_2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|70 (PDF p.128)}} After the park opened, several individuals were allowed to reside in the mansions within the park. In 1892, the New York City Department of Public Parks separately allowed the occupation of the Hunter, Hoyt, and Twin Island houses.<ref name="Minutes 1893">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201893_2.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 4, 1892 – April 26, 1893 |date=April 30, 1893 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172407/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201893_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|9 (PDF p.67); 32 (PDF p.89); 109 (PDF p.193)}} The next year, two buildings near Pelham Bridge were auctioned off.<ref name="Minutes 1894">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201894.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 1, 1893 – April 25, 1894 |date=April 30, 1894 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172420/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201894.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|404 (PDF p.471)}}

Pelham Bay Park's ownership was passed to New York City when the part of the Bronx east of the Bronx River was annexed to the city in 1895.<ref name="City of New York 1986" /> Despite the park being for public use, some of the old estates remained standing, with a few occupied by private families. Due to its distance from the city, NYC Parks decided to keep {{convert|3000|acre|ha}} of Pelham Bay and [[Van Cortlandt Park]]s in their natural state, unlike some of the other parks closer to Manhattan, which were being extensively landscaped.<ref name="Minutes 1895" />{{rp|PDF pp.442–443}} None of the houses were rented in 1899,<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1899" />{{rp|23}} but by 1900, thirty-six houses in the park were being used as private residences, comprising 75% of houses rented within parks in the Bronx.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1900">{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4028annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_engineering_bureau_1900.pdf|title=1900 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report|date=1900|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=February 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234132/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4028annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_engineering_bureau_1900.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|20}} This number dropped to thirty-three the next year.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1901" />{{rp|65}}

In spring 1902, NYC Parks destroyed two houses in the park and used the remaining wood to build free bathhouses, which were used by about 700 bathers per day during that summer.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1902" />{{rp|116 (PDF p.85)}} Around 1903, Hunter Island became a popular summer vacation destination.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1903">{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4080annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1903.pdf|title=1903 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report|date=1903|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|pages=88–89|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116155136/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4080annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1903.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation" /> Due to overcrowding on Hunter Island, NYC Parks opened a campsite two years later at Rodman's Neck on the south tip of the island, with 100 bathhouses.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/12110|title=Orchard Beach|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|language=en|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120150614/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/12110|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}}<ref name="City of New York 1986">{{Cite report|title=Pelham Bay Park: History|date=1986|publisher=City of New York|location=New York City|pages=2, 11–12}}</ref><ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1906">{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4101annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1906.pdf|title=1906 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report|date=1906|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|pages=87–88|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211051419/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4101annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1906.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Orchard Beach, at the time a tiny recreational area on the northeast tip of Rodman's Neck,{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=366}} was expanded that year.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1906" />  In 1904, an athletic field was opened within Pelham Bay Park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252010%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%25201904%2520Grayscale%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%25201904%2520Grayscale%2520-%25202409.pdf|title=Public Athletic Field.|date=July 16, 1904|work=New York Evening Post|access-date=June 5, 2018|pages=8|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234726/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2010/New%20York%20NY%20Evening%20Post/New%20York%20NY%20Evening%20Post%201904%20Grayscale/New%20York%20NY%20Evening%20Post%201904%20Grayscale%20-%202409.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 1917, Hunter Island saw half a million seasonal visitors.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation" /> Orchard Beach also became popular, with an average of 2,000 visitors on summer weekdays and 5,000 visitors on summer weekends in 1912.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}} However, the park's condition started to decline in the 1920s as the surrounding areas were developed. The park facilities were dirty and deteriorating due to overuse, and there was a lot of vandalism.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=3}}<ref name="City of New York 1986" /> Hunter Island was closed and camping was banned, so some park patrons began camping illegally.{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=132}}

=== 1930s–1960s: Moses renovation projects ===
The current Orchard Beach recreational area and Split Rock golf course was created through the efforts of New York City park commissioner [[Robert Moses]].<ref name="nyt19340211" /><ref name="Smith 2013">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/nyregion/exploring-sand-and-architecture-at-pelham-bay-park.html|title=Exploring Sand and Architecture at Pelham Bay Park|last=Smith|first=Sarah Harrison|date=2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002120808/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/nyregion/exploring-sand-and-architecture-at-pelham-bay-park.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/09/nyregion/orchard-beach-journal-slice-of-the-riviera-with-a-familiar-bronx-twist.html|title=Slice of the Riviera, With a Familiar Bronx Twist|last=Forero|first=Juan|date=July 9, 2000|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 15, 2009|archive-date=August 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823065202/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/09/nyregion/orchard-beach-journal-slice-of-the-riviera-with-a-familiar-bronx-twist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Immediately after assuming his position in 1934, Moses ordered engineers to inventory every park in the city to see what needed renovating.{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=364}} He devised plans for a new Orchard Beach recreation area after he saw the popularity of the Hunter Island campsite.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation" /> On February 11, 1934, Moses announced a plan for the new golf course.<ref name="nyt19340211" /> Two weeks later, he announced another plan for the upgraded beach, which had been inspired by the design of [[Jones Beach State Park|Jones Beach]] on [[Long Island]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/28/archives/new-jones-beach-planned-in-bronx-moses-wants-model-resort-at-pelham.html|title=NEW 'JONES BEACH' PLANNED IN BRONX; Moses Wants Model Resort at Pelham Bay Park – Orders CWA Work Razed.|date=February 28, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163504/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/28/archives/new-jones-beach-planned-in-bronx-moses-wants-model-resort-at-pelham.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The beach and existing golf course would be reconstructed through the [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA) under the 1930s [[New Deal]] program.<ref name="Smith 2013" />{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=2}}<ref name="nyt19340211" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/09/22/85188187.pdf|title=WORK RELIEF BOOMS PARKS; Moses Pushes Program to Expand Greatly the Present Facilities for Recreation|date=September 22, 1935|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234728/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/09/22/85188187.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pelham Bay Park (2547803421).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Orchard Beach promenade, built in the 1930s]]

Moses canceled 625 leases for the project, and after campers unsuccessfully sued the city,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/05/16/94528093.pdf|title=MOSES IS UPHELD IN PARK CAMP BAN; Court Refuses to Interfere in Razing of 625 Bungalows at Orchard Beach.|date=May 16, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234729/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/05/16/94528093.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> the site was cleared of campers in June.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/06/12/95048193.pdf|title=Moses Wins Again in Row Over Camps; Clearing of Orchard Beach Sites Is Begun|date=June 12, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234730/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/06/12/95048193.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Moses decided to connect Hunter Island and the Twin Islands to Rodman's Neck by filling in most of LeRoy's Bay.{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=366}} The deteriorated Hunter Mansion was demolished with the construction of the beach.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11859|title=Hunter Island|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|language=en|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430022328/http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11859|url-status=live}}</ref> The golf courses were reopened in June 1935, sixteen months after construction commenced. [[John van Kleek]] designed the brand-new Split Rock golf course as part of the city's program to upgrade or build ten golf courses around the city.<ref name="nyt19350702" /><ref name="Cornish Whitten 1993">{{cite book | last1=Cornish | first1=G.S. | last2=Whitten | first2=R.E. | title=The architects of golf: a survey of golf course design from its beginnings to the present, with an encyclopedic listing of golf course architects and their courses | publisher=HarperCollins | year=1993 | isbn=978-0-06-270082-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WlQ3AQAAIAAJ | access-date=October 9, 2017 | page=422 | archive-date=April 7, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160759/https://books.google.com/books?id=WlQ3AQAAIAAJ | url-status=live }}</ref>

A final design for the beach was unveiled in July 1935.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=7}}{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=367}}<ref name="nyt19350707">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/07/07/archives/to-exhibit-model-of-orchard-beach-park-department-will-display.html|title=TO EXHIBIT MODEL OF ORCHARD BEACH; Park Department Will Display Miniature Tomorrow at Bronx Court House.|date=July 7, 1935|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612172428/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/07/07/archives/to-exhibit-model-of-orchard-beach-park-department-will-display.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The beach project involved filling in approximately {{Convert|110|acre|ha}} of LeRoy's and Pelham Bays with landfill,<ref name="Smith 2013" /> followed by a total of {{convert|4,000,000|yd3|m3}} of sand.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=8}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/dailyplant/8532|title=Parks' Own Polar Circle|date=February 7, 2001|website=The Daily Plant|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|language=en|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002115411/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/dailyplant/8532|url-status=live}}</ref> Moses thought that waste from the [[New York City Department of Sanitation]] would be cheaper than sand.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=8}} In early 1935, workers began placing the garbage fill<ref name="The New York Times 1935">{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/05/28/94614294.pdf|title=REFUSE DUMPING OPPOSED; Bronx Civic Leaders Criticize Pelham Bay Park Project.|date=May 28, 1935|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234729/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/05/28/94614294.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> around Rodman's Neck, Twin Island, and Hunter Island.<ref name="The New York Times 1935" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937">{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/06/13/94388197.pdf|title=TWO NEW BEACHES TO OPEN SATURDAY; Orchard, In Pelham Bay Park, Although Not Completed, Will Be Ready for Bathers|date=June 13, 1937|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234729/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1937/06/13/94388197.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> After the garbage began washing onto the beach, the rest of the site was filled-in using sand starting in 1936.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=8}}<ref name="The New York Times 1936">{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/04/14/87927913.pdf|title=Pelham Bay Dam Approved|date=April 14, 1936|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234734/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/04/14/87927913.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The beach, designed by [[Gilmore David Clarke]] and [[Aymar Embury II]], was dedicated in July 1936<ref name="NYT" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937" /> despite only being partially complete.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=958}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/07/26/87967161.pdf|title=PUBLIC IS GREETED AT ORCHARD BEACH; Uncompleted Aquatic Center Dedicated – Mayor, Moses Exchange Thrusts. FORMER DECRIES CENSURE Also Hails WPA as an 'American' Relief System – Park Head Defends Criticism. PUBLIC IS GREETED AT ORCHARD BEACH|date=July 26, 1936|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234730/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/07/26/87967161.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The beach officially opened on June 25, 1937.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/26/archives/two-city-beaches-open-for-season-jacob-riis-park-on-the-ocean.html|title=TWO CITY BEACHES OPEN FOR SEASON; Jacob Riis Park, On the Ocean, Attracts 2,500—Few Bathers Brave the Chilly Water 3,000 AT ORCHARD BEACH At Least 1,000 Try Swimming in Long Island Sound—Joint Capacity of 500,000 NEW YORK OPENS TWO NEW RECREATIONAL AREAS TO PUBLIC|date=June 26, 1937|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214545/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/26/archives/two-city-beaches-open-for-season-jacob-riis-park-on-the-ocean.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after Orchard Beach opened, it was expanded, starting with the southern locker room in 1939.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=9}}<ref>{{Cite report|title=Historical and Modern Orchard Beach, With a Brief Resume of the Surrounding Territory|date=1960|pages=17–19}}</ref> The water between Hunter and Twin Islands was filled in during 1946 and 1947, with new [[Jetty|jetties]] at each end of the beach. The promenade was extended over the fill and opened in 1947,{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=10}}{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=132}}<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/05/31/87536456.pdf|title=Orchard Beach Opens Shore Line Extension|date=May 31, 1947|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234730/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/05/31/87536456.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Further improvements were made to the bathhouse pavilion in 1952 and to the northern jetty in 1955. A new concession stand was added north of the pavilion in 1962,{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=10}} and a privately funded [[Golf driving]] range was also added that year.{{sfn|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=69}} The beach was renovated starting in 1964.{{sfn|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=36}}

In 1959, after the Rodman's Neck section of the park had been used for various purposes, the [[New York City Police Department]] used land from the park to create the Rodman's Neck Firing Range at the southern tip of the peninsula. Previously, the parkland at Rodman's Neck had been underused, with the NYPD and [[United States Army]] using the land at various times.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1118}}

=== 1960s-present: Cleanup and restoration ===

[[File:Orchard Beach - Pelham Bay Park - The Bronx.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Orchard Beach]]

The City began landfill operations on [[Tallapoosa Point]] in Pelham Bay Park in 1963.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=18}}<ref name="Lorch 1989"/> Plans to expand the landfills in Pelham Bay Park in 1966, which would have created the City's second-largest refuse disposal site next to [[Fresh Kills]] in [[Staten Island]], were met with widespread community opposition.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=18}} The landfill expansion was seen as a way to alleviate the city's accumulations of waste, and Tallapoosa was seen as the only suitable location to put the landfill.<ref name="rp19680523" /> The preservation effort was headed by Dr. [[Theodore Kazimiroff]], a Bronx historian and head of [[The Bronx County Historical Society]]. It suffered setbacks in August 1967 when the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] voted against an initial effort to create to protected area in the proposed landfill expansion site.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201967%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201967%252000374_1.pdf|title=Tallapoosa Landfill Is Partial Defeat|work=Riverdale Press|page=20|date=August 3, 1967|access-date=October 6, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234731/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/Riverdale%20NY%20Press/Riverdale%20NY%20Press%201967/Riverdale%20NY%20Press%201967%2000374_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/07/28/90625524.pdf|title=Nature-Lovers Lose Park Area To Landfill Forces in the Bronx|date=July 28, 1967|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 6, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234733/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/07/28/90625524.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the state and federal governments did not favor the landfill being located at Tallapoosa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/08/29/90398340.pdf|title=STATE MAY OPPOSE BRONX PARK DUMP; Official Says He May Deny Permit for Pelham Landfill|date=August 29, 1967|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 6, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234732/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/08/29/90398340.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> In October, Mayor [[John Lindsay]] signed a law authorizing in the creation of two [[wildlife refuge]]s, the Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary and the [[Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary]], on the site where the landfill was planned to be expanded.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=18}} Tallapoosa West continued to be used as a landfill until May 1968, when the landfill permit was revoked.<ref name="rp19680523">{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201968%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201968%252000270_1.pdf|title=State Denies Permit For Landfill Project|work=Riverdale Press|page=12|date=May 23, 1968|access-date=October 6, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> In November of that year, Tallapoosa West was made a part of the Pell refuge.<ref name="rp19681121">{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201968%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201968%252000606_1.pdf|title=Council Passes Bill to Protect Wildlife Park|work=Riverdale Press|page=8|date=November 21, 1968|access-date=October 6, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> The dump was still operating as late as 1975, when the garbage there was described as being ten stories high.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1975/05/16/76553411.pdf|title=The Mountains of Waste|date=May 16, 1975|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The landfill closed in 1978.<ref name="Lorch 1989"/> However, a report published in 1983 claimed that the Tallapoosa landfill, as well as five others throughout the city, was heavily contaminated with "toxic wastes" dumped from 1964 to 1979.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poust |first1=Mary Ann |title=Report: Pelham Bay Landfill Contaminated with 'Waste Oils' |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252010%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Herald%2520Statesman%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Herald%2520Statesman%25201983%2520Grayscale%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Herald%2520Statesman%25201983%2520a%2520Grayscale%2520-%25200185.pdf |access-date=September 16, 2018 |work=Yonkers Herald Statesman |via=Fultonhistory.com |date=May 19, 1983 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Blumenthal |first1=Ralph |title=Toxic Dumping in City Landfills Cited in a Study |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/19/nyregion/toxic-dumping-in-city-landfills-cited-in-a-study.html |access-date=September 16, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=May 19, 1983 |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014091805/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/19/nyregion/toxic-dumping-in-city-landfills-cited-in-a-study.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The waste from the landfill reportedly led to health problems for residents of nearby communities such as [[Country Club, Bronx|Country Club]]. The Tallapoosa landfill at Pelham Bay Park was designated a hazardous-waste site in 1988, and cleanup began in 1989.<ref name="Lorch 1989">{{cite web | last=Lorch | first=Donatella | title=Residents Force Start of Cleanup At Bronx Dump | website=The New York Times | date=November 14, 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/14/nyregion/residents-force-start-of-cleanup-at-bronx-dump.html | access-date=October 30, 2018 | archive-date=October 30, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170657/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/14/nyregion/residents-force-start-of-cleanup-at-bronx-dump.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1983, the Theodore Kazimiroff Environmental Center was proposed for the park, alongside a nature trail that would wind through the park's terrain.<ref name="rp19831111">{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201983%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201983%252000177_1.pdf|title=Drive Begins for Kazimiroff Memorial That Will Preserve Pelham Bay Park|work=Riverdale Press|page=8|date=November 11, 1983|access-date=October 6, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> It would be named out of respect to the late historian,<ref name="rp19831111" /> who had died in 1980.<ref name="nyt19860619" /> The Kazimiroff Nature Trail and the Pelham Bay Park Environmental Center opened in June 1986.<ref name="rp19860619">{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201986%2FRiverdale%2520NY%2520Press%25201986%252000834_2.pdf|title=Outdoors|work=Riverdale Press|page=23|date=June 19, 1986|access-date=October 6, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref><ref name="nyt19860619">{{cite web | last=Bryant | first=Nelson | title=OUTDOORS; KAZIMIROFF TRAIL TO OPEN IN BRONX | work=The New York Times | date=June 19, 1986 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/19/sports/outdoors-kazimiroff-trail-to-open-in-bronx.html | access-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007023807/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/19/sports/outdoors-kazimiroff-trail-to-open-in-bronx.html | url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=132}} A $1 million renovation of the Orchard Beach pavilions ({{Inflation|index=US|value=1,000,000|start_year=1986|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) was completed by 1986.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/10/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-at-orchard-beach-updated-fare.html|title=NEW YORK DAY BY DAY; At Orchard Beach, Updated Fare|last1=Heller Anderson|first1=Susan|date=July 10, 1986|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|last2=Dunlap|first2=David W.|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008030940/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/10/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-at-orchard-beach-updated-fare.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of the decade, large numbers of human and animal remains were being dumped in Pelham Bay Park, including 65 human bodies that were dumped in the park from 1986 to 1995. Pelham Bay Park was also very dirty, and discarded trash from several decades prior was still visible.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/nyregion/in-new-york-area-no-shortage-of-grisly-dumping-grounds.html|title=In New York Area, No Shortage of Grisly Dumping Grounds|last=Fernandez|first=Manny|date=April 13, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008080137/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/nyregion/in-new-york-area-no-shortage-of-grisly-dumping-grounds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> NYPD officers on these cases theorized that the frequency of body dumpings might be attributable to two things: the park's remote location near highways, as well as a belief that the parkland is haunted by the remains of the Siwanoy buried there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/28/nyregion/in-isolated-bronx-park-death-visits-frequently.html|title=In Isolated Bronx Park, Death Visits Frequently|last=Fisher|first=Ian|date=November 28, 1992|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007221554/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/28/nyregion/in-isolated-bronx-park-death-visits-frequently.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1990, NYC Parks received a $6.3 million gift for improvements to Pelham Bay Park and twenty other parks around the city. NYC Parks used the money to renovate trails and clean up weeds.<ref name="Teltsch 1990">{{cite web | last=Teltsch | first=Kathleen | title=Urban Gift: Wilderness Regained | work=The New York Times | language=en-US | issn=0362-4331 | date=November 17, 1990 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/17/nyregion/urban-gift-wilderness-regained.html | access-date=October 12, 2017 | archive-date=February 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206123404/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/17/nyregion/urban-gift-wilderness-regained.html | url-status=live }}</ref> A renovation of Orchard Beach started in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/30/nyregion/orchard-beach-may-be-getting-its-day-in-the-sun.html|title=Orchard Beach May Be Getting Its Day in the Sun|last=Walker|first=Andrea K.|date=March 30, 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130201/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/30/nyregion/orchard-beach-may-be-getting-its-day-in-the-sun.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A water park for the beach was proposed, but ultimately canceled in 1999.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/11/nyregion/neighborhood-report-orchard-beach-update-water-park-plan-isn-t-gliding-forward.html|title=NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: ORCHARD BEACH – UPDATE; Water Park Plan Isn't Gliding Forward Now|last=Siegal|first=Nina|date=April 11, 1999|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130801/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/11/nyregion/neighborhood-report-orchard-beach-update-water-park-plan-isn-t-gliding-forward.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A few years later, as part of the [[New York City bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics|city's ultimately unsuccessful bid]] for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], several facilities in Pelham Bay Park were proposed for upgrades. The new facilities would have included a [[Shooting at the Summer Olympics|shooting]] center at Rodman's Neck; a {{Convert|350|m|ft|sp=us|adj=on}} [[Equestrian at the Summer Olympics|horseback riding]] track; and a [[Fencing at the Summer Olympics|fencing]], [[Swimming at the Summer Olympics|swimming]], and [[Water polo at the Summer Olympics|water polo]] facility in the Orchard Beach pavilion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gold-city-visionaries-hope-olympian-designs-bring-2012-summer-games-new-york-article-1.477936|title=Going for the Gold: City Visionaries Hope Their Olympian Designs Bring the 2012 Summer Games to New York|last=Ingrassia|first=Michelle|date=June 30, 2002|work=NY Daily News|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008025908/http://www.nydailynews.com/gold-city-visionaries-hope-olympian-designs-bring-2012-summer-games-new-york-article-1.477936|url-status=live}}</ref> The bid ultimately was awarded to [[London bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics|London]] instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/4655555.stm|title=London Beats Paris to 2012 Games|date=July 6, 2005|work=BBC Sport|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=February 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213094506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/4655555.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, construction began on extending the jetty at Orchard Beach at a cost of $13 million.<ref name="NYC Parks 2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=20955|title=NYC Parks And U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Launch $13 Million Orchard Beach Shoreline Protection Project|date=October 29, 2010|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003075737/https://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=20955|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USACE 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-View/Article/487413/fact-sheet-orchard-beach/|title=FACT SHEET-Orchard Beach > New York District > Fact Sheet Article View|date=June 26, 2012|website=New York District|publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003081132/http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-View/Article/487413/fact-sheet-orchard-beach/|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after, work started on a $2.9 million project to restore Pelham Bay Park's shoreline, which entailed renovating the seawall, adding a dog run, and creating a new walking trail.<ref name="Calder 2015">{{Cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2015/07/20/waterfront-construction-unearths-hundreds-of-ancient-artifacts/|title=Waterfront Construction Unearths More Than 100 Ancient Artifacts|last=Calder|first=Rich|date=July 20, 2015|work=New York Post|access-date=October 9, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010060729/http://nypost.com/2015/07/20/waterfront-construction-unearths-hundreds-of-ancient-artifacts/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Native American shell [[midden]]s were found at [[Tallapoosa Point]], prompting an archaeological investigation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/1491.pdf|title=Phase IB Archaeological Survey Reconstruction of the Pelham Bay Park South Waterfront, NYC Parks Contract X039 – 507M|last1=Sandy|first1=William|last2=Saunders|first2=Cece|date=October 2012|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=Historical Perspectives|page=2|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=September 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917135145/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/1491.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Further digs at the site uncovered more than a hundred artifacts, some of which dated to the third century [[Common Era|CE]]. Work on the restoration project was paused in June 2015 as a result of the finds.<ref name="Calder 2015" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bxtimes.com/stories/2015/31/31-native-2015-07-31-bx.html|title=Native American Artifacts Discovered in Pelham Bay Park|last=Goodstein|first=Steven|date=July 31, 2015|work=Bronx Times|access-date=October 9, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010061952/https://www.bxtimes.com/stories/2015/31/31-native-2015-07-31-bx.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The restoration project was restarted in September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7375|title=Pelham Bay Park Natural Shoreline Reconstruction|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|language=en|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010054846/https://www.nycgovparks.org/planning-and-building/capital-project-tracker/project/7375|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|40.87|-73.805}}
|  zoom = 13
| float = right
| width = 280
| height = 300
| title = Geographical Features of Pelham Bay Park
| shape1=n-circle
| shape-color1=blue
| shape-outline1=white
| mark-size1=16
| mark-coord1  = {{coord|40.855556|-73.807944}}
| mark-title1  = [[Eastchester Bay]]
| mark-coord2  = {{coord|40.874967|-73.80972}}
| mark-title2  = [[#Golf courses|Golf courses]]
| mark-coord3  = {{coord|40.876773|-73.789866}}
| mark-title3  = [[Hunter Island (Bronx)|Hunter Island]]
| mark-coord4  = {{coord|40.873018|-73.798621}}
| mark-title4  = [[#Lagoon|Lagoon]]
| mark-coord5  = {{coord|40.866335|-73.790321}}
| mark-title5  = [[Orchard Beach (Bronx)|Orchard Beach]]/[[#Pelham Bay|Pelham Bay]]
| mark-coord6  = {{coord|40.852501|-73.800556}}
| mark-title6  = [[Rodman's Neck]]
| mark-coord7  = {{coord|40.857642|-73.818094}}
| mark-title7  = [[#Tallapoosa Point|Tallapoosa Point]]
| mark-coord8  = {{coord|40.863277|-73.804312}}
| mark-title8  = [[#Turtle Cove|Turtle Cove]]
| mark-coord9  = {{coord|40.871186|-73.784389}}
| mark-title9  = [[Twin Island (Bronx)|Twin Island]]
| caption      = Geographical features of Pelham Bay Park:
| auto-caption = 1
}}

At {{convert|2772|acre|ha}},{{efn|name=size}} Pelham Bay Park is the city's largest,<ref name="nyt20130601">{{cite web |author=Foderaro, Lisa W. |title=How Big Is That Park? City Now Has the Answer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/nyregion/surveying-effort-alters-sizes-of-some-new-york-parks.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-date=June 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601042251/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/nyregion/surveying-effort-alters-sizes-of-some-new-york-parks.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Frequently Asked Questions | publisher=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation | url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/faq | access-date=February 19, 2017 | archive-date=February 20, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220013947/https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/faq | url-status=live }}</ref> being slightly more than three times the size of the {{convert|843|acre|ha|adj=on}} Central Park.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=64}}<ref name="nyt20130601" /> Pelham Bay Park includes {{convert|13|mi|km}} of shoreline{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=64}} as well as land on both sides of the [[Hutchinson River]]. [[Hunter Island (Bronx)|Hunter Island]], [[Twin Island (Bronx)|Twin Island]], and Two-Trees Island, all formerly true islands in Pelham Bay, are now connected to the mainland by fill, and are part of the park.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}} Several islands in the Long Island Sound (including the [[Chimney Sweeps Islands]]),<ref>{{cite web | title=Pelham Bay Park Highlights | website=The Islands of Pelham Bay : NYC Parks | date=April 29, 1939 | url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11613 | access-date=June 18, 2018 | archive-date=March 9, 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309172413/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11613 | url-status=live }}</ref> as well as Goose Island in the Hutchinson River, are also part of Pelham Bay Park.<ref name="PBP Overview"/> The park is divided into several sections, including two main sections roughly divided by [[Eastchester Bay]].{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=8}}<ref name="park-map" />

In the eastern section of Pelham Bay Park is [[Orchard Beach (Bronx)|Orchard Beach]] and its parking lot. The eastern section also contains the Hunter Island Wildlife Sanctuary on Twin and Hunter Islands. The Kazimiroff Nature Trail winds through this section.<ref name="park-map">{{Cite map|url=http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/F-of-PBP-map.pdf|title=Pelham Bay Park Map|publisher=Friends of Pelham Bay Park|date=February 2014|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321004610/http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/F-of-PBP-map.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The northwestern section, divided from the eastern section via the Lagoon. It contains both [[#Golf courses|golf courses]], as well as the Thomas Pell Sanctuary; the Bartow-Pell Woods; Goose Creek Marsh; and the [[#Scenic trails|Siwanoy, Bridle, and Split Rock Trails]]. The park is crossed by [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] railroad at this location, as well as by the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] and [[New England Thruway]].<ref name="park-map" /> A central section contains a Central Woodland, where the Siwanoy Trail and Turtle Cove Driving Range is present. It also includes Rodman's Neck as well as a portion of the park known as "The Meadow".<ref name="park-map" /> The [[Pelham Bridge]] carries traffic across the Eastchester Bay between the [[#Southwestern section|southwest section]] and the rest of the park.<ref name="park-map" />

The park contains many different habitats. The largest habitat is the {{convert|782|acre|ha|adj=on}} forests, followed by the {{convert|195|acre|ha|adj=on}} salt marshes, the {{convert|161|acre|ha|adj=on}} salt flats, the {{convert|83|acre|ha|adj=on}} meadows,  the {{convert|751|acre|ha|adj=on}} mixed scrub, and the {{convert|3|acre|ha|adj=on}} fresh water marsh.{{sfn|USACE|2014|p=73}} In total, about 67% of the park is estimated to be in its natural state, while 33% of the park is estimated to be developed.<ref name="DeCandido 2004">{{Cite journal|last=DeCandido|first=Robert|title=Recent Changes in Plant Species Diversity in Urban Pelham Bay Park, 1947–1998|journal=Biological Conservation|volume=120|issue=1|pages=129–136|doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2004.02.005|year=2004|doi-access=free}}</ref>{{Rp|129}} In the latter half of the 20th century, Pelham Bay Park's [[biodiversity]] decreased: in that time, the park was observed to have lost 25% of its 569 native species of plants as well as 12.5% of its 321 non-native species.<ref name="DeCandido 2004" />{{Rp|132}}

===Land features===
====Hunter Island====
[[File:Historic American Buildings Survey, Arnold Moses, Photographer, October 12, 1936, EXTERIOR VIEW. - Hunter Island Mansion, Hunter Island, Bronx, Bronx County, NY HABS NY,3-BRONX,8-1.tif|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Hunter mansion]]
{{main|Hunter Island (Bronx)}}
Hunter Island ({{coord|40.876773|-73.789866|region:US-NY_type:landmark|name=Hunter Island}}) is a {{convert|166|acre|ha|adj=on}} peninsula filled with woodlands; it had previously been {{convert|215|acre|ha}} until Robert Moses extended Orchard Beach in the 1930s.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3" /> A former island, it was part of the [[Pelham Islands]], the historical name for a group of islands in western Long Island Sound that once belonged to Thomas Pell. The Siwanoy referred to the island as "Laap-Ha-Wach King", or "place of stringing beads".<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3" />{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=130}} The island was then renamed after [[John Hunter (Westchester County, NY)|John Hunter]], a successful businessman and politician, who purchased the property in 1804{{sfn|ASHPS Annual Report|1909|p=64}} and moved his family to the island in 1813.{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=131}} They built a mansion in the [[Georgian architecture|English Georgian style]]{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=130}}{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=107}} at the highest point on the island (90 feet above sea level).<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3" /> The mansion was destroyed in 1937 during the construction of Orchard Beach.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3" />{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=131}} In 1967, the island became part of the Hunter Island Wildlife Sanctuary.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3" />

====Twin Island====
Twin Island, at {{coord|40.871186|-73.784389|type:landmark_region:US-NY|name=Twin Island}}, is wooded with exposed bedrock with [[glacial groove]]s. The East and West Twin Islands (or the "Twins") were once true islands in Pelham Bay but are now connected to each other and to Orchard Beach and nearby [[Rodman's Neck]] by a [[Land reclamation|landfill]] created in 1937.{{sfn|Seitz|Miller|2011|p=130}}<ref name="NYTimes-FarawayLand-1992" /><ref name="USA TODAY 2017">{{cite web | title=Hiking Hunter Island in Pelham Bay Park | website=USA TODAY | date=May 23, 2017 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/05/23/hiking-hunter-island/337126001/ | access-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120117/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/05/23/hiking-hunter-island/337126001/ | url-status=live }}</ref> East Twin Island, a rocky formation with "ribbons of color" caused by [[Sedimentary rock|sedimentary]] erosion, is connected to neighboring Two Trees Island via a thin mudflat land bridge. Two Trees Island itself consists of a rocky plateau upon which one can see Orchard Beach and the environmental center.<ref name="NYTimes-FarawayLand-1992">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/02/news/sunday-outing-boulders-sand-treasure-silence-that-faraway-land-called-bronx.html|title=Sunday Outing; Boulders, Sand, Treasure and Silence In That Faraway Land Called the Bronx|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=February 2, 1992|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 3, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003225831/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/02/news/sunday-outing-boulders-sand-treasure-silence-that-faraway-land-called-bronx.html|url-status=live}}</ref> West Twin Island was at one time connected to neighboring [[Hunter Island, New York|Hunter Island]] via a man-made stone bridge,{{sfn|McNamara|1984|p=53}}<ref name="BronxUpClose">{{cite web | title=NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: BRONX UP CLOSE; Islet Lore: Soldiers, Prisoners, the Rich, the Dead and, Perhaps, the Devil | website=The New York Times | date=July 9, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/09/nyregion/neighborhood-report-bronx-up-close-islet-lore-soldiers-prisoners-rich-dead.html | access-date=October 3, 2017 | archive-date=October 3, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003225253/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/09/nyregion/neighborhood-report-bronx-up-close-islet-lore-soldiers-prisoners-rich-dead.html | url-status=live }}</ref> which now lies in ruins in one of the city's last remaining [[salt marshes]].<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11670|title=Twin Islands|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004135509/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11670|url-status=live}}</ref>

The two islands that are now combined as Twin Island have been owned by NYC Parks since the 1888 acquisition of Pelham Bay Park.<ref name="BronxUpClose" /> A tennis court was built on the island in 1899.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1899">{{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4490annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1899.pdf |title=1899 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=December 31, 1899 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211051610/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4490annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1899.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|26}} Twin Island was restored in 1995 as part of the Twin Islands Salt Marsh Restoration Project, which cost $850,000.<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 2" />

====Rodman's Neck====
[[File:Historic American Buildings Survey, Arnold Moses, Photographer, October 12, 1936, GENERAL VIEW OF EXTERIOR. - Marshall House, Rodman's Neck, Bronx, Bronx County, NY HABS NY,3-BRONX,10-1.tif|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Former private mansion on Rodman's Neck]]
{{Main|Rodman's Neck}}

Rodman's Neck is a [[peninsula]] located in the central section of the park (at {{coord|40.852501|-73.800556|name=Rodman's Neck|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}). The southern third of the peninsula is used as a [[firing range]] by the [[New York City Police Department]] (NYPD); the remaining wooded section is part of Pelham Bay Park.<ref name="park-map" />{{sfn|Jackson|2010|pp=986, 1118}} The north side, which is joined to the rest of Pelham Bay Park near Orchard Beach, contains several [[baseball field]]s.<ref name="park-map" />{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=67}} Two small land berms between Rodman's Neck and City Island consist of the island's only connecting road to the mainland.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}}

Rodman's Neck was part of the historic Pell property,{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=102}} and since the city acquired the peninsula in 1888, it has been used for multiple purposes.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1118}} It was used as a [[United States Army]] training location during [[World War I]],{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}} and was converted to under-utilized parkland in the 1920s.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1118}}  From 1930 to 1936, the peninsula was incorporated as part of Camp Mulrooney, a summer camp for the NYPD.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1118}} The Army used Rodman's Neck again in the 1950s during the [[Cold War]].{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}} and the NYPD built the current firing range at the peninsula's southern tip in 1959.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=103}}

====Tallapoosa Point====
Tallapoosa Point is located in the southwest of Pelham Bay Park, near the Pelham Bridge.<ref name="park-map" /> It used to be a separate island south of [[Eastchester Bay]], having been private property, but was connected to the mainland during the colonial period. The point then became a popular fishing spot.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1277}} In 1879, the [[Tallapoosa Club]] political group started leasing part of the peninsula from the city during the summer, hosting activities there. The club's presence gave the peninsula its current name, and in turn, the club's name was derived from [[Tallapoosa, Georgia]], where some of its members had fought during the [[American Civil War]].{{sfn|McNamara|1984|pp=512–513}} The Tallapoosa Club used a mansion originally built by the [[Lorillard Tobacco Company|Lorillard]] family.{{sfn|ASHPS Annual Report|1909|p=65}} They used the mansion until October 1, 1895.<ref name="Minutes 1896">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201896.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 1, 1895 – April 27, 1896 |date=April 30, 1896 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172459/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201896.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|50 (PDF p.138)}}

Tallapoosa Point was used as a dump from 1963{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=18}} until 1968, when landfill operations ceased<ref name="rp19680523" /> and it became a part of the Wildlife Refuge.<ref name="rp19681121" /> Since then it has been a part of the park, but there was an obscure proposal in the 1970s to make Tallapoosa into a [[ski slope]].{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1277}} Tallapoosa Point was later re-planted and serves as a bird habitat.{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=14}}

===Waterways===
====Pelham Bay====
{{Redirect|Pelham Bay|other uses|Pelham Bay (disambiguation)}}
Between City Island and Orchard Beach is a [[sound (geography)|sound]] named Pelham Bay ({{coord|40.866335|-73.790321|name=Pelham Bay|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}), but contrary to its name, it is not a bay, but rather a [[sound (geography)|sound]] since it is open to larger bodies of water at both ends. It connects to Eastchester Bay at the south, and opens onto [[Long Island Sound]] and [[City Island Harbor]] at the east.<ref name="park-map" /> Approximately one third of the original bay was filled in to create Orchard Beach from 1934 to 1938.<ref name="Smith 2013" />

====Eastchester Bay====
{{Main|Eastchester Bay}}
Eastchester Bay is a body of water that separates City Island and most of the park from the park's southwest portion and the rest of the Bronx.<ref name="park-map" /><ref name="survey1918" /> It is crossed by the Pelham Bridge, which connects the two parts of the park.<ref name="survey1918">{{cite book | author=U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey | title=United States Coast Pilot: Atlantic Coast. Cape Cod to Sandy Hook | publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office | year=1918 | url=https://archive.org/details/unitedstatescoa00elagoog | access-date=October 7, 2017 | page= [https://archive.org/details/unitedstatescoa00elagoog/page/n232 220]}}</ref> It is technically also a sound, and the northern end connects via a narrow channel to Pelham Bay. The [[Hutchinson River]] empties into Eastchester Bay near the northern end. The lower portion of the bay opens onto the [[East River]], [[Little Neck Bay]], and [[Long Island Sound]].{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=19}}

====<span class="anchor" id="LeRoy's Bay"></span>Lagoon====
A lagoon within the park was once part of Pelham Bay, separating Hunter and Twin Islands from the mainland, and was called LeRoy's Bay until the mid-20th century. It was popular for rowing regattas,{{sfn|Barr|1946|p=103}} but could not be used for regulation rowing races as it was blocked by the causeway to Hunter Island.<ref name="nyh19020615" /> By 1902, there were calls to remove the causeway so LeRoy's Bay could be used as a raceway.<ref name="nyh19020615">{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/New%20York%20NY%20Herald/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201902/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201902%20-%205458.pdf|title=New Course for Local Oarsmen|date=June 15, 1902|work=The New York Herald|access-date=October 2, 2017|page=2|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> The New York City Department of Public Parks decided to create a "temporary" wooden bridge and remove the causeway to allow the bay's tides to flow freely.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1904">{{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4012annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1904.pdf |title=1904 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=1904 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203013854/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4012annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1904.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Most of the lagoon was filled in during the mid-1930s reconstruction of Orchard Beach, and the bay became known as the "Orchard Beach Lagoon", or the Lagoon for short.<ref name="The New York Times 1936" />{{sfn|Caro|1974|pp=366–367}} The lagoon between Orchard Beach and the Westchester border had been popular for [[regatta]]s, or boat races, for decades, but it was neglected through the 1940s and 1950s. Rocks, weeds, and unwanted cars were tossed into the lagoon regularly.<ref name="Strauss 1982">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/02/nyregion/sculling-still-thrives-on-shoreline.html|title=Sculling Still Thrives on Shoreline|last=Strauss|first=Michael|date=May 2, 1982|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 8, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009042658/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/02/nyregion/sculling-still-thrives-on-shoreline.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The lagoon was chosen as the site of the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] [[Rowing at the 1964 Summer Olympics|rowing]] trials,{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}} at which point it was widened and dredged, becoming a four-lane, {{convert|2000|m|ft|adj=on|sp=us}} rowing track.{{sfn|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=48}}<ref name="nywf-olympics" /><ref>{{cite web | title=The Lagoon | publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation | date=September 29, 2006 | url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11621 | access-date=October 3, 2017 | archive-date=March 2, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302210536/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11621 | url-status=live }}</ref> The track, which cost $630,000,{{sfn|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|p=48}} was hosted jointly by the city and the organizers of the [[1964 New York World's Fair]]. New York City hosted several of the 1964 Olympic trials at various locations as part of the World's Fair the same year.<ref name="nywf-olympics">{{cite report|url=http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/fair-corp/olympic-trials.pdf|title=The United States Olympic Trials of 1964 . . . In The City of New York|publisher=New York World's Fair 1964–1965 Corporation|via=World's Fair Photos|page=2|date=June 21, 1962|access-date=October 11, 2017|archive-date=May 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510183558/http://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/fair-corp/olympic-trials.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Afterward, the now-unnamed lagoon was used by New York-area colleges for boating regattas, since it had been determined to be one of the most suitable locations for boat racing in the United States. Multiple colleges, including [[Columbia University|Columbia]], [[Manhattan College|Manhattan]], [[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's]], [[Fordham University|Fordham]], [[Iona College (New York)|Iona]], and [[Yale University|Yale]], utilized the lagoon for collegiate rowing practice.<ref name="Strauss 1982" />

====Turtle Cove====
Turtle Cove is a small [[cove]] along the north side of City Island Road west of Orchard Beach Road.<ref name="park-map" /> Around the early 1900s, a land berm was created across Turtle Cove for rails for [[horsecar]]s. This berm caused the north end of Turtle Cove to become mostly [[freshwater]], which attracted freshwater drinking rare birds in the meadow. A {{convert|3|ft|m|adj=on}} diameter concrete culvert was placed across the berm to allow salt water from Eastchester Bay, but leaves and vegetation blocked this culvert.<ref name="PBP Overview">{{cite web | title=Overview | website=Friends of Pelham Bay Park | url=http://pelhambaypark.org/?page_id=71 | access-date=October 11, 2017 | archive-date=October 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012094918/http://pelhambaypark.org/?page_id=71 | url-status=live }}</ref> Starting in June 2009, NYC Parks started a restoration project for the cove, removing the old culvert and digging a canal to flood the north end of the cove with salt water. NYC Parks then placed a foot bridge across the canal. Some {{convert|11|acre|ha}} of forest were also restored, with 10,000 trees being replaced.{{sfn|USACE|2014|p=71}} The cove also contains a [[batting cage]] and a golf center with [[miniature golf]], [[Professional Golfers' Association of America|PGA]] simulators, and grass [[tee]]s.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=69}}

===Notable natural features===
====Glover's Rock====
[[File:Glover's Rock Pelham Bay Park IMG 2739 HLG.jpg|thumb|Glover's Rock: ''"Near this site on October 12, 1776 Col. John Glover and 600 patriots held off British and Hessian forces under Gen Howe long enough to save Washington's troops from destruction, enabling them to withdraw to Westchester and ultimate victory."'']]
Glover's Rock ({{coord|40.86507|-73.805244|name=Glover's Rock|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}), a giant [[granite]] glacial erratic, has a bronze plaque commemorating the Battle of Pell's Point.<ref name="nyt-war-record-1921" /> However, contrary to popular belief, the rock had nothing to do with the battle.<ref name="Hufeland1926" /> In their respective books, [[Henry B. Dawson]] (1886) and [[William Abbatt]] (1901) both wrote that Colonel [[John Glover (general)|John Glover]] reputedly stood on the rock and watched the British forces land during the battle.<ref>{{cite book| title=Westchester County, New York, during the American Revolution |last= Dawson |first=Henry B. |via=Internet Archive | date=1886 | url=https://archive.org/details/westchestercoun00dawsgoog | access-date=October 12, 2017 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/westchestercoun00dawsgoog/page/n259 238]–246}}</ref><ref name="Abbatt1901" />{{rp|255}} This claim is erroneous, as these distances were computed based on an inaccurate map using estimates recorded by Glover in his "Letter from Mile Square" on October 24, 1776.<ref name="Hufeland1926">{{cite book | last=Hufeland | first=Otto | title=Westchester County During the American Revolution, 1775–1783 | publisher=Westchester County | series=Publications (Westchester County Historical Society) | year=1926 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qaR4AAAAMAAJ | access-date=October 12, 2017 | pages=118–119}}</ref> The actual location where Glover watched British forces land is closer to the second tee of the current Split Rock Golf Course.<ref name="Hufeland1926" /> The rock is only known as such today because Abbatt includes a labeled photograph of it in his book.<ref name="Abbatt1901" />{{rp|4}}

====Split Rock====
Split Rock ({{coord|40.88648|-73.81492|name=Split Rock|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}), a large dome-shaped granite [[boulder]] measuring approximately {{convert|25|ft|m}} from north to south and {{convert|15|ft|m}} from east to west, is located at the intersection of the New England Thruway and Hutchinson River Parkway, on a triangular parcel of land formed by these roads and a ramp that leads from the northbound Parkway to the northbound Thruway.{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=311}} The only public access to the rock is by a pedestrian trail that begins on Eastchester Place, outside the park. The Bridle Trail passes close to the rock, but is separated from the rock by the parkway's exit ramp.<ref name="park-map" /> Another park trail, called the Split Rock Trail, leads from the Bartow Circle to the rock.<ref name="split-rock">{{cite web |title=Split Rock/Split Rock Trail |last=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11662 |access-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408030708/http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11662 |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:SplitRock.EastFace.LookingWest.20110820.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Split Rock]]

The Split Rock Golf Course was named after the rock.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}} Split Rock also gives its name to Split Rock Road in [[Pelham Manor, New York|Pelham Manor]],<ref>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Split+Rock+Rd,+New+York/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c28d1e43a939ab:0x19c00eacc569480c?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiaipDWrN_WAhVJ6YMKHTiLBigQ8gEIJzAA|title=Split Rock Rd, New York|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> which used to extend into the park itself.<ref name="ps19380204" /> The rock appears to be a glacial erratic and derives its name from a large crevice dividing the stone into two half domes. The huge rock broke in half about 10,000 years ago under the stress of glacial movements.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=71}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Places to Visit|url=http://www.pelhambaypark.org/category/places-to-visit/|publisher=Friends of Pelham Bay Park|access-date=April 20, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508083348/http://www.pelhambaypark.org/category/places-to-visit|archive-date=May 8, 2015}}</ref>

Split Rock is also the location near where, in 1643, Anne Hutchinson and members of her family were massacred by Native Americans of the Siwanoy Tribe.  Her daughter, [[Susanna Cole|Susanna]], the only member of the family to survive the massacre, was at the rock during the time of the attack, which took place at the house, a distance away.<ref name="LaPlante" />{{rp|237}} In 1904, the New York State Legislature approved the placement of a bronze tablet on Split Rock in honor of Anne Hutchinson.<ref>{{cite book|author=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society|title=Annual Report to the Legislature of the State of New York ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iZNIAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA26|year=1904|page=26}}</ref> The tablet was installed in 1911 by the Colonial Dames of New York.<ref>{{cite web | title=ANNE HUTCHINSON TABLET; To be Erected in Pelham Bay Park by Colonial Dames of New York. | work=The New York Times | date=March 29, 1911 | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/03/29/105024213.pdf | access-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-date=May 8, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234733/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/03/29/105024213.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201911%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201911%2520-%25200522.pdf|title=TABLET TO ANNE HUTCHINSON — Colonial Dames Unveil a Monument in Her Memory, In Pelham Bay Park|date=May 4, 1911|work=The Yonkers Statesman|access-date=October 2, 2017|location=[[Yonkers, New York]]|page=5|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234737/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201911%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201911%2520-%25200522.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it was stolen in 1914.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%25201914%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%25201914%2520-%25200694.pdf|title=HISTORIC TABLET STOLEN — Thieves Pry Hutchinson Memorial from Pelham Rock|work=New York Tribune|date=February 3, 1914|access-date=October 2, 2017|page=1|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234735/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%25201914%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Press%25201914%2520-%25200694.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt19140203">{{cite web | title=STEAL HUTCHINSON TABLET — Bronze Memorial in Pelham Bay Park Forced from the Split Rock. | work=The New York Times | date=February 3, 1914 | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/02/03/100297991.pdf | access-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-date=May 8, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234734/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/02/03/100297991.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> The plaque reads:<ref name="nyt19140203" /><ref name="Assembly 1914 p. 176">{{cite book | author=New York (State) Legislature Assembly | title=Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York | issue=v. 35 | year=1914 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA176 | access-date=October 7, 2017 | page=176}}</ref>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center">
ANNE HUTCHINSON

Banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638{{efn|''The New York Times'' quotes this line as "Massachusetts Colonies" rather than "Massachusetts Bay Colony".<ref name=nyt19140203/>}}

Because of her Devotion to Religious Liberty This Courageous Woman

Sought Freedom from Persecution in New Netherland

Near this Rock in 1643 She and her Household

were Massacred by Indians

This Tablet is placed here by the Colonial Dames of the State of New York

ANNO DOMINI MCMXI Virtutes Majorum Filiae Conservant<ref name="Assembly 1914 p. 176"/>
</div>

The boulder is of enough historic importance that in the 1950s, Theodore Kazimiroff of the Bronx Historical Society convinced officials to move the planned [[Interstate 95 in New York|Interstate 95]] (New England Thruway) a few feet north to save Split Rock from being dynamited.{{sfn|McNamara|1984|p=189}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazimiroff Nature Trail – Historical Sign|url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11915|publisher=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=September 29, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929152603/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11915|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Treaty Oak====

Treaty Oak ({{coord|40.871|-73.804|type:landmark_region:US-NY|name=Treaty Oak}}) is located on the Pell estate near the Bartow-Pell Mansion. A treaty was reportedly signed under this [[oak]] tree in 1654 between Siwanoy [[Chief Wampage]] and colonist [[Thomas Pell]], in which Pell purchased all land east of the Bronx River in what was then [[Westchester County, New York]].{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}} The Society of the Daughters of the Revolution erected a protective fence and a plaque near the tree, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1906<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_v4cGmMe6_okC|title=Historical Guide to the City of New York|date=1909|publisher=F. A. Stokes Company|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_v4cGmMe6_okC/page/n472 404]|language=en}}</ref>{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=212}} and toppled in a storm in March 1909.<ref>[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/258379032.html?dids=258379032:258379032&FMT=ABS "BRONX BOOM TREE BLOWN DOWN"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183549/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/258379032.html?dids=258379032:258379032&FMT=ABS |date=October 15, 2012 }}, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', April 25, 1909. Accessed September 6, 2008.</ref> Parts of the original tree were donated to museums and historical societies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2021 |title=A Tree Grows in The Bronx |url=https://fordhamram.com/2016/04/20/a-tree-grows-in-the-bronx/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=The Fordham Ram |language=en-US}}</ref>

A replacement tree was planted in 1915,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/05/02/104232650.pdf|title=GOVERNOR PLANTS A NEW TREATY OAK; Bartow Mansion in Pelham Bay Park Turned Over to the International Garden Club. MANY NOTABLES TAKE PART Private Charles Vail of Battery D Is Crushed by Horse Frightened by a Salute.|date=May 2, 1915|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the current tree at the location is an [[elm]].<ref>{{cite book | chapter=Notable Trees in New York and Elsewhere | title=Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society to the Legislature of New York | year=1916 | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zulBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA22 | page=227 | access-date=March 22, 2022 | archive-date=March 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322142310/https://books.google.com/books?id=zulBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA22 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Wildlife sanctuaries ===
Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary and the Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary consist of a total of {{convert|489|acre|km2}} of [[marshes]] and [[forests]] within Pelham Bay Park. They were created in 1967 as a result to opposition to a planned landfill on the site of the current sanctuaries.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=1}} Much of the forests in these sanctuaries are estimated to be at least three centuries old, dating to colonial times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/13/nyregion/just-off-expressway-ancient-new-york-remnants-virgin-forests-still-stand-even.html|title=Just Off the Expressway, Ancient New York; Remnants of Virgin Forests Still Stand, Even in the Bronx and Queens|last=Stewart|first=Barbara|date=July 13, 2002|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 9, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010160252/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/13/nyregion/just-off-expressway-ancient-new-york-remnants-virgin-forests-still-stand-even.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The park also has two [[nature center]]s at Orchard Beach and in the southwestern section of the park.<ref name="PBP Overview"/>{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|pp=70, 73}}

====Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary====
The Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary, named for Thomas Pell, makes up the westerly part of Pelham Bay Park.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|pp=1–2}} Included within its bounds are Goose Creek Marsh, which once formed part of a {{convert|5000|acre|adj=on}} wetland that covered what is now Co-op City and the southern part of Pelham Bay Park,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Raver|first=Anne|date=January 3, 1992|title=In Rural New York City, Where Wild Things Are|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/03/arts/in-rural-new-york-city-where-wild-things-are.html|access-date=December 2, 2023|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> as well as the saltwater wetlands adjoining the Hutchinson River.<ref name="park-map" /> The sanctuary also includes Goose Island, Split Rock, and the [[oak–hickory forest]]s in [[tidal marsh]]es bordering the Split Rock Golf Course.<ref name="Frank 2017">{{Cite web|url=https://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/parks/loc6.htm|title=Pelham Bay Park|last=Frank|first=Dave|date=May 3, 2017|publisher=United States Department of the Interior; [[United States Geological Survey]]|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085657/https://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/parks/loc6.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The area is home to a variety of wildlife including [[raccoon]], [[egrets]], [[hawk]]s, and [[coyote]]s.<ref name="PBP Overview"/>

====<span class="anchor" id="Hunter Island Sanctuary"></span>Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary====
Located north of Orchard Beach, the Hunter Island Marine Zoology and Geology Sanctuary encompasses all of Twin Islands, Cat Briar Island, Two Trees Island, and the northeastern shoreline of Hunter Island.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=70}}{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=1, 4}} It contains many glacial erratics, large boulders that were deposited during the last ice age,{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=70}}<ref name="Frank 2017" /> as well as the largest continuous [[oak]] [[forest]] in Pelham Bay Park. The sanctuary supports a unique intertidal marine ecosystem that is rare in New York State.<ref name="PBP Overview"/><ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 3"/><ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 2" />

===Wildlife-related activities===
[[File:Birding in Pelham Bay Park.jpg|thumb|Bird watching is a popular activity in the park]]
The park is a popular spot for [[bird watching]], with up to 264 species having been spotted. Common bird species observed within the park include [[great horned owl]], [[northern saw-whet owl]], [[barn owl]], [[red-tailed hawk]], and [[New World warbler|warbler]]s on Hunter Island;{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|pp=9–10}} [[American woodcock]], [[willow flycatcher]], [[northern harrier]], [[woodpecker]]s, [[black-capped chickadee]], [[tufted titmouse]], and [[white-breasted nuthatch]] in the meadow west of Orchard Beach;{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|pp=10–11}} and various [[songbird]]s and [[American sparrow|sparrow]]s north of the Pelham Bay Golf Course.{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=11}} Birds in the park's waters include [[loon]]s, [[grebe]]s, [[cormorant]]s, [[anseriformes]], and [[gull]]s from the Twin Island coasts;{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=10}} [[greater yellowleg]]s, [[lesser yellowlegs]], loons, [[hooded merganser]], [[Canada goose]], [[mallard]], and [[egret]]s in Eastchester Bay and Turtle Cove;{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=11}} and [[osprey]] and waterbirds in the lagoon.{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|p=12}} This is a result of Pelham Bay Park's location within one of the major seasonal [[bird migration]] corridors. The [[National Audubon Society]] has designated the park as one of four "Important Bird Areas" within the city.{{sfn|Fowle|Kerlinger|2001|pp=8–9}}{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=68}}

Saltwater [[fishing]] is also popular within the park, but is prohibited on Orchard Beach when the beach is open during the summer.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=68}} There are two major areas where fishing is allowed: in the southern part of Pelham Bay Park near Eastchester Bay; and in the northern part near the Lagoon, Turtle Cove, and northern beach jetty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/bronxnew.pdf|title=Finding a Fishing Site|publisher=New York State Department of Environmental Conservation|pages=11–12|access-date=October 11, 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125115702/http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/bronxnew.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

South of Orchard Beach is a {{convert|25|acre|ha|adj=on}} meadow that hosts the only known population of the [[moth]] species ''[[Amphipoea erepta ryensis]]''.<ref name="PBP Overview"/>{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|1987|p=4}}<ref name="Teltsch 19902">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/17/nyregion/urban-gift-wilderness-regained.html|title=Urban Gift: Wilderness Regained|last=Teltsch|first=Kathleen|date=November 17, 1990|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206123404/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/17/nyregion/urban-gift-wilderness-regained.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another population used to exist in [[Rye, New York|Rye]], Westchester County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/spcnbuttermoths.pdf|title=Common Name: A Noctuid Moth; Scientific Name: Amphipoea Erepta Ryensis|publisher=New York State Department of Environmental Conservation|pages=1–2|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320200851/http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/spcnbuttermoths.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=8092|title=Online Conservation Guide for Amphipoea Erepta Ryensis|date=2017|publisher=New York Natural Heritage Program|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-date=October 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013525/http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=8092|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Surroundings ===
Pelham Bay Park is bounded by the town of [[Pelham, New York]], to the north; [[City Island, Bronx|City Island]] and [[Long Island Sound]] to the east; Watt Avenue and [[Bruckner Expressway]] to the south; and the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] to the west.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}}<ref name=park-map/>

North of the park is the village of [[Pelham Manor, New York|Pelham Manor]] in [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester County]], and a {{convert|250|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide}} strip of land that is part of New York City due to a boundary error. Owners of the several dozen houses on the strip have a Pelham Manor zip code and phone numbers and their children attend Pelham public schools, but as Bronx residents pay much lower property taxes than their Westchester County neighbors.<ref name="gross19970506">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/06/nyregion/a-tiny-strip-of-new-york-that-feels-like-the-suburbs.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm | title=A Tiny Strip of New York That Feels Like the Suburbs | work=The New York Times | date=May 6, 1997 | access-date=June 9, 2012 | author=Gross, Jane | archive-date=March 8, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308154523/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/06/nyregion/a-tiny-strip-of-new-york-that-feels-like-the-suburbs.html?pagewanted=all | url-status=live }}</ref>

To the southeast, the [[City Island Bridge]] connects the park to City Island.<ref name=bing/>{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=258}}

==Landmarks, attractions, and recreational features==
===Orchard Beach===
{{Main|Orchard Beach (Bronx)}}
[[File:Orchardbeachny2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Panoramic view of Orchard Beach, facing from the bathhouse pavilion]]

Orchard Beach ({{coord|40.867304|-73.795946|name=Orchard Beach|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}), a public [[beach]], is part of Pelham Bay Park<ref name="New York City Department of Parks and Recreation" /> and comprises the borough's only beach.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=958}} The {{convert|1.1|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|115|acre|ha|adj=on}}{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=957–958}} beach faces the [[Long Island Sound]] and is laid out in a crescent shape with a width of {{Convert|200|ft|m}} during high tide.{{sfn|Caro|1974|p=508}} An icon of the Bronx, Orchard Beach is sometimes called the Bronx Riviera,{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=958}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/bronx-riviera_n_3781903.html|title=HuffPost Arts & Culture: Bronx Riviera Photos Perfectly Capture New York's Summer Spirit|date=August 20, 2013|work=Huffington Post|access-date=March 25, 2014|archive-date=March 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326024653/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/bronx-riviera_n_3781903.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Orchard Beach: The Bronx Riviera|author=Lawrence, Wayne|date=October 2013|publisher=Prestel Publishing}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2013/oct/14/photography-art-wayne-lawrence-bronx-riviera|title=The Bronx Riviera: Life at the 'Hood Beach' – in Pictures|date=October 14, 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=July 3, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127064603/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2013/oct/14/photography-art-wayne-lawrence-bronx-riviera|url-status=live}}</ref> the Riviera of New York City,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgo.com/venues/orchard-beach|title=Orchard Beach, Bronx – Visit The Riviera of New York City|author=NYC Parks & Recreation|website=New York City: The Official Guide|access-date=July 3, 2017|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517013228/http://www.nycgo.com/venues/orchard-beach|url-status=live}}</ref> Hood Beach,<ref name="guardian" /> or the Working Class Riviera.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/the-working-class-riviera-orchard-beach-and-city-island|title=The Working Class Riviera – Orchard Beach and City Island|author=L., Jonathan|website=Travel Gumbo|date=September 11, 2016 |access-date=July 3, 2017|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002071115/http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/the-working-class-riviera-orchard-beach-and-city-island|url-status=live}}</ref> It contains a set of twin pavilions, which were both landmarked by the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] in 2006.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006|p=1}}

=== Bronx Victory Column & Memorial Grove<span class="anchor" id="Victory Column"></span> ===
[[File:Pelham Bronx Victory jeh.JPG|thumb|upright=0.6|right|South side of statue]]

The Bronx Victory Column & Memorial Grove is a {{convert|70|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} limestone column that supports a bronze statue of [[Victoria (mythology)|Winged Victory]] on Crimi Road in the park.  The grove of trees that surround the statue were originally planted on the [[Grand Concourse (Bronx)|Grand Concourse]] in 1921 by the [[American Legion]];{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=73}} they were removed in 1928 when construction began on the [[IND Concourse Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Concourse}}).<ref name="Bronx Victory Memorial">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/monuments/163|title=Bronx Victory Memorial|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 27, 2008|archive-date=September 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909070714/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/monuments/163|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1930, the American Legion revealed plans to relocate the grove to Pelham Bay Park, where there would be a new monument to honor Bronx servicemen. The monument was designed by John J. Sheridan and sculpted by [[Belle Kinney]] and [[Leopold Scholz]].<ref name="Bronx Victory Memorial"/>{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=73}} On September 24, 1933, the monument and grove was dedicated to the 947 Bronxites who died in World War I.<ref name="Bronx Victory Memorial"/>{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=217}} The column is supported by a {{convert|18|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} pedestal. The statue itself is 18 feet tall and {{convert|3700|lb|kg}}, located atop a series of 14 discs. This brings the monument's aggregate height to more than {{convert|120|ft|m}}.{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=217}} While officially a memorial to servicemen from the Bronx,<ref name="Bronx Victory Memorial" /> it is also a favorite location for [[wedding photography]].<ref name="ctur">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/nyregion/a-critical-tour-of-the-empire-battery-park-to-high-bridge.html |title=A Critical Tour of the Empire: Battery Park to High Bridge . . .|author=Douglas Martin|date=May 1, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 27, 2008}}</ref>

=== Bartow-Pell Mansion ===
{{main|Bartow-Pell Mansion}}

A 19th-century plantation-style mansion called the [[Bartow–Pell Mansion]] (located at {{coord|40.871611|-73.805944|name=Bartow-Pell Mansion|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}) is a colonial remnant done in [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek revival]] style.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=92}}<ref name="Gray 2002"/> The mansion, originally built in 1842, was sold to the city in 1880, which maintained it until 1914, when the city and International Garden Club assumed joint maintenance of the building.<ref name="Gray 2002" /><ref name="Castellucci 1977"/> Since 1975, it has been a [[National Historic Landmark]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1457&ResourceType=Building |title=Bartow-Pell Mansion |date=September 8, 2007 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013101829/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1457&ResourceType=Building |archive-date=October 13, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="Castellucci 1977" />

=== Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Courses<span class="anchor" id="Golf courses"></span><span class="anchor" id="Pelham Bay Golf Course"></span><span class="anchor" id="Split Rock Golf Course"></span> ===

The Pelham Bay Golf Course opened in 1901, followed by the Split Rock Golf Course in 1935.<ref name="Cornish Whitten 1993"/> The courses, consisting of eighteen holes each, share an [[Art Deco]] clubhouse (located at {{coord|40.874967|-73.80972|name=Golf Course Clubhouse|region:US-NY_type:landmark}}).{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=515}} The courses are separated by the [[Northeast Corridor]] railroad tracks, with the Split Rock course to the northwest and the Pelham Bay course to the southeast.<ref name="park-map" />

Plans for a [[golf course]] in Pelham Bay Park have existed since soon after the park was founded. In 1899, the [[New York Athletic Club]] approached [[Lawrence Van Etten]], an architect renowned for designing golf courses, for a request to construct an 18-hole course within the park.<ref name="Cornish Whitten 1993"/> The proposed course would be bounded by [[Pelham Manor, New York|Pelham Manor]] to the north; the [[Harlem River and Port Chester Railroad]] (now Northeast Corridor) tracks to the west; and Shore Road to the southeast. The city was building Van Cortlandt Park's golf course at the time, but the Bronx district parks commissioner approved Van Etten's plan. Originally, the club wanted to construct a park on Hunter Island, but Van Etten felt that the island was too small for a full 18-hole course.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/04/archives/activity-in-local-golf-championship-tournament-will-be-played-in.html|title=ACTIVITY IN LOCAL GOLF; Championship Tournament Will Be Played in May. THE NASSAU CLUB MAY GET IT Golf Prospects in the New York Athletic Club – Business Compels Forgan to Relinquish, The Game.|date=February 4, 1900|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 8, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726010637/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/04/archives/activity-in-local-golf-championship-tournament-will-be-played-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Once the Van Cortlandt Park course was opened, city officials started focusing on plans for the Pelham course.<ref name="nytr19000418">{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%20%201919/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%201900%2004-18%20Page%206.pdf|title=Golf: Coming Matches at Richmond Hill — Another Public Links at Pelham Bay Park|date=April 18, 1900|work=New York Daily Tribune|access-date=October 2, 2017|page=6|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=May 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234735/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%20%201919/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%201900%2004-18%20Page%206.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pelham Split Rock golf club jeh.JPG|thumb|left|Clubhouse]]

In April 1900, surveyors began studying part of the park as a possible location for a golf course.<ref name=nyt19000417/><ref name=nytr19000418/> Later that month, workers began construction at the northwest course location. It was expected that the course would open in June or July of that year,<ref name="nyt19000417">{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1900/04/17/101056900.pdf|title=Golf Links in Pelham Park|date=April 17, 1900|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 8, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2024/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%20%201919/New%20York%20NY%20Tribune%201900%2005-07%20Page%206.pdf|title=City's New Links at Pelham Bay Park Will Open in June|date=May 7, 1900|work=New York Daily Tribune|access-date=October 2, 2017|page=6|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> but that the work would not be fully complete until September.<ref name=nytr19000418/> New York City greenskeeper [[Val Flood]] later stated that he thought the course would open by August; however, by September 1900, work on the course had hardly started due to a lack of workers.<ref>{{cite news| title=Pelham Links' Chaotic State | website=The New York Times | date=September 10, 1900 | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1900/09/10/102503024.pdf |access-date=October 8, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By the end of 1900, NYC Parks reported that seeds had been planted for nine [[Green (golf)|greens]], and two [[bunker (golf)|bunker]]s and one [[hazard (golf)|hazard]] had been created.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1900"/>{{rp|23}} The course opened in 1901,<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1901"/>{{rp|69}} but did not gain popularity until 1903 when overcrowding at the Van Cortlandt course drove players to use the less crowded Pelham Bay course instead.<ref>{{cite news | title=Public Links at Pelham Bay Popular | work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle | date=October 2, 1903 | url=http://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53925986/ | access-date=October 9, 2017 | page=12 | via=Newspapers.com | archive-date=October 10, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055343/http://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53925986/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1934, a new 18-hole course was announced for the north side of the park, along with a renovation to the Pelham Bay course under the WPA.<ref name="nyt19340211">{{cite news|title=THE NEW DEAL FOR THE PARKS OUTLINED BY THEIR DIRECTOR; Commissioner Moses Would Develop the City's Recreation Areas And Then Coordinate Them With the State Park System By DOROTHY DUNBAR BROMLEY.|date=February 11, 1934|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/11/archives/the-new-deal-for-the-parks-outlined-by-their-director-commissioner.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612165652/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/11/archives/the-new-deal-for-the-parks-outlined-by-their-director-commissioner.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/03/07/93753725.pdf|title=PARK CAMPS TO GO, MOSES ANNOUNCES; 625 Leases at Orchard Beach Will Be Canceled, He Says, To End 'Fine Mess' There. GOLF LINKS FOR PELHAM 18-Hole Course and Modern Clubhouse to Be Located at North Side of Park.|date=March 7, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en}}</ref> It was part of the rebuilding of 10 golf courses in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201935%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Sun%25201935%2520-%25201210.pdf |title=City's New Links at Pelham Bay Park Will Open in June|date=March 6, 1935|work=New York Sun|access-date=October 2, 2017|page=20|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> The new course brought the total number of holes in the park's courses to 36, with each course being between {{Convert|3000|and|3300|ft|m}} between the first and last tees. This comprised two 18-hole courses or four 9-hole courses. There was also a new two-story brick [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]] clubhouse adjacent to both of the 18-hole courses, with a golf store, Pro Shop, cafeteria, lockers, restrooms, and showers. Construction started on the new course and clubhouse in September 1934.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/09/30/95059999.pdf|title=NEW GOLF COURSE BEGUN AT PELHAM; Seeding for Turf Is Started – Clubhouse to Stand at Shore Road and Split Rock.|date=September 30, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The new Split Rock course, based on a plan from [[John van Kleek]], opened in 1935<ref name="Cornish Whitten 1993"/> along with the rebuilt Pelham Bay course.<ref name="nyt19350702">{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/06/02/93470282.pdf|title=TAKING MENTAL HAZARD OUT OF CITY GOLF; The Player on the Public Links Has a New Dispensation, For Old Courses Have Been Improved and Others Built|first=A.D.|last=Britton|date=June 2, 1935|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 2, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===Bronx Equestrian Center===
The northern section of Pelham Bay Park is the home of the Bronx Equestrian Center on Shore Road, where visitors can ride horses and ponies through the parks' trails or obtain riding lessons.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=1227}}{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=64}} The Bronx Equestrian Center also provides wagon rides and hosts wedding events.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=64}}

=== Southwestern section ===
The southwestern part of Pelham Bay Park contains several recreational facilities, but unlike the rest of the park, the southwestern section mainly serves the nearby neighborhoods.<ref name="Gregor 2014"/>{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=65}} The southwest park's largest point of interest is the Aileen B. Ryan Recreational Complex, which contains a [[running track]], two [[baseball field]]s, and the Playground for All Children, a play area with special features for physically handicapped children.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=72}} Another playground, the Sweetgum Playground, is located near Bruckner Boulevard. The {{convert|0.25|mi|km|adj=on}} Pelham Track and Field includes an [[artificial turf]] [[American football#Field and equipment|football field]] as well as [[long jump]]ing.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=73}} The southwest park also contains a [[dog run]], four more baseball fields (for a total of six), two [[bocce]] courts, several [[basketball court]]s, and nine [[tennis court]]s.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|pp=72–73}} This section of the park also includes the Pelham Bay Nature Center.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=73}} The neighborhood of [[Pelham Bay (neighborhood), Bronx|Pelham Bay]] is across the Bruckner Expressway from this section of the park.<ref name="Gregor 2014">{{cite web | last=Gregor | first=Alison | title=Pelham Bay, the Bronx: A Blend of Urban and Suburban | website=The New York Times | date=April 27, 2014 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/realestate/pelham-bay-the-bronx-a-blend-of-urban-and-suburban.html | access-date=October 5, 2017 | archive-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006013439/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/27/realestate/pelham-bay-the-bronx-a-blend-of-urban-and-suburban.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

A long and narrow {{convert|41|acre|ha|adj=on}} woodland called Huntington Woods, located on the southern border of this park, is named after the tract's last owners. [[Archer Milton Huntington]], the founder of the [[Hispanic Society of America]], and his wife, sculptor [[Anna Hyatt Huntington]], had acquired the property in 1896 after the park had been established. The city added {{convert|31.6|acre|ha}} of Huntington's estate to the park in 1925 and annexed the remaining land in 1933.<ref>{{cite web | title=Huntington Woods | publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation | date=September 29, 2006 | url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11607 | access-date=October 11, 2017 | archive-date=October 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045053/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/highlights/11607 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The southwestern park also contains two monuments.  ''[[American Boy (sculpture)|American Boy]]'' was commissioned in 1923 by French sculptor [[Louis St. Lannes]] and carved from one block of [[Indiana Limestone]].{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=72}} A tribute to the athletic body, it once stood outside the Rice Stadium and Recreation Building; the stadium, named and funded by the widow of [[Isaac Leopold Rice]], stood at the site from the 1920s until 1989. The former stadium site is now the Pelham Track and Field.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=72}}<ref>{{cite web | title=American Boy | publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation | date=September 29, 2006 | url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/monuments/21 | access-date=October 12, 2017 | archive-date=October 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012095508/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelham-bay-park/monuments/21 | url-status=live }}</ref> The other is the [[Bronx Victory Column & Memorial Grove]].{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=73}}{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=217}}<ref name="Bronx Victory Memorial"/>

{{clear}}

== Management ==
A [[nonprofit organization]] called Friends of Pelham Bay Park (founded in 1992) manages the park, while NYC Parks owns and operates the land and facilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pelhambaypark.org/?page_id=29|title=Our Team|publisher=Friends of Pelham Bay Park|access-date=January 10, 2017|archive-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315220950/http://pelhambaypark.org/?page_id=29|url-status=live}}</ref> Compared to the [[Central Park Conservancy]], Friends of Pelham Bay Park does not receive as much funding.<ref>{{cite news | title=A Critical Tour of the Empire: Battery Park to High Bridge | newspaper=The New York Times | issn=0362-4331 | date=May 1, 1994 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/nyregion/a-critical-tour-of-the-empire-battery-park-to-high-bridge.html | access-date=October 11, 2017 | archive-date=September 28, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928104808/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/nyregion/a-critical-tour-of-the-empire-battery-park-to-high-bridge.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Before 1992, there was no private maintenance of the park;<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/05/what-donors-do-for-some-city-parks-047653 |title=What Donors Do for (Some) City Parks |last=Laskow |first=Sarah |date=June 30, 2014 |newspaper=Politico PRO |access-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215032200/http://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/05/what-donors-do-for-some-city-parks-047653 |url-status=live }}</ref> the earliest efforts for such a thing date to 1983, when an administrator was appointed to oversee both Van Cortlandt and Pelham Bay Parks.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/24/nyregion/administrator-is-named-for-2-large-city-parks.html |title=Administrator Is Named for 2 Large City Parks |last=Carmody |first=Deirdre |date=December 24, 1983 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=January 10, 2017 |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113020832/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/24/nyregion/administrator-is-named-for-2-large-city-parks.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Transportation ==
=== Bridges ===
[[File:CI Bridge from south of park jeh.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The City Island Bridge|The west end of the [[City Island Bridge]] (''original bridge pictured'') is located inside Pelham Bay Park.]]
As part of the city's acquisition of Pelham Bay Park in 1888, NYC Parks claimed responsibility for maintenance over the western end of the City Island Bridge, which was within the park.<ref name="Minutes 1889">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201889_3.pdf|title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 2, 1888 – April 26, 1889|date=1889|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172232/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201889_3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|433 (PDF p.502)}}<ref name="Legislature 1888"/>{{rp|695}}  The City Island Bridge had been built by the 1870s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/878.pdf|title=Draft 1A Archaeological Assessment -Replacement Of City Island Road Bridge over Eastchester Bay, Bronx, New York|date=January 2005|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=Joan H. Geismar, Ph.D., LLC|page=19|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=December 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223215235/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/878.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1892, the bridge was in need of maintenance,<ref name="Minutes 1893"/>{{rp|PDF p.114}} and a proposal for a replacement bridge was approved in 1895.<ref name="Minutes 1895">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201895_2.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 2, 1894 – April 25, 1895 |date=April 30, 1895 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172442/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201895_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|41 (PDF p.115)}} The replacement bridge started construction in late 1898 and was completed in 1901.{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=429}}

The Pelham Bridge, which had opened in 1871 on the site of two previous bridges,<ref>{{cite news|title=Pelham Bridge|work=New York Herald|date=June 3, 1871|page=6}}</ref> was also incorporated into the park.<ref name="Minutes 1895"/>{{rp|PDF p.443}}<ref name="Legislature 1888"/>{{rp|695}} Planning for a new bridge started in 1901,<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1901">{{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4071annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1901.pdf |title=1901 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=1901 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052848/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4071annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1901.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|64}} and NYC Parks transferred the responsibility for constructing the new bridge to the Department of Bridges in 1902.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1902"/>{{rp|117 (PDF p.86)}} A new stone bridge was opened in 1908 to accommodate higher volumes of traffic.{{sfn|Jenkins|2007|pp=317–318}}<ref>{{cite book | title=Good Roads: Devoted to Construction and Maintenance of Roads and Streets | publisher=E.L. Powers Company. | issue=v. 40 | year=1910 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wc5KAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA190 | access-date=October 16, 2017 | pages=190–192}}</ref>

The century-old City Island Bridge was subsequently replaced again in the 2010s. Planning for the new bridge started in 2005,<ref name="current200504">{{cite news|url=http://www.theislandcurrent.com/Island_Currents/12j-Is.%20Current%20April%202005.pdf|title=Here Comes the Bridge|last=Dolensek|first=Barbara|date=April 2005|page=1|newspaper=The Island Current|access-date=September 11, 2009|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004019/http://www.theislandcurrent.com/Island_Currents/12j-Is.%20Current%20April%202005.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> though a lack of funding delayed the start of construction to 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.sfvbj.com/news/2013/feb/21/hurricane-sandy-drives-tutor-perini-results/| title=Hurricane Sandy Drives Tutor Perini Results| work=San Fernando Valley Business Journal| author=Joel Russell| date=February 21, 2013| access-date=June 14, 2013| archive-date=November 12, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112001542/http://www.sfvbj.com/news/2013/feb/21/hurricane-sandy-drives-tutor-perini-results/| url-status=live}}</ref> The new bridge was completed in 2015, and the old one was demolished soon after.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/18/city-island-bridge/|title=City Island Residents Say Goodbye To Old Bridge As Concerns Persist About Temporary Replacement|date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085858/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/12/18/city-island-bridge/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Roads ===
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-lat=40.869|frame-long=-73.811|zoom=14|type=point|coord={{coord|40.869|-73.811}}|text=Street map}}
The park is traversed by the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] on its west side.<ref name="Smith 2013" /> The New England Thruway ([[Interstate 95 in New York|I-95]]), a partial [[toll road]], also has a short highway section in the park's northwest corner.<ref name="bing" /><ref name="park-map" /> A partial interchange between the two roads is located within the park.<ref name="bing">{{bing maps|url=https://binged.it/2fTL1WY|title=Overview Map of Pelham Bay Park|access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref> To the south, an exit from the Hutchinson River Parkway provides direct access to the park, Orchard Beach, and City Island. The exit and entrance ramps lead east to the Bartow [[roundabout|Circle]], where the ramps intersect with Shore Road, which runs roughly southwest-northeast, and with Orchard Beach Road, which leads southeast to the Orchard Beach parking lot.<ref name="bing" /> Slightly to the southwest of Bartow Circle is the [[T intersection]] of Shore Road and City Island Road, which marks the northwest terminus of the latter road. Shore Road continues across the Pelham Bridge to the southwest corner of the park, then turns west and continues onto Pelham Parkway.<ref name="bing" /> Meanwhile, City Island Road continues southeast to City Island Circle, where it intersects with Park Drive, a road that connects to Orchard Beach Road in the north and Rodman's Neck in the south. City Island Road then continues southeast across the [[City Island Bridge]] to the eponymous island.<ref name="bing" />

NYC Parks assumed responsibility for the park's roads in 1888 and gradually paved and expanded them over the following decades.<ref name="Legislature 1888"/>{{rp|695}} An expansion of Eastern Boulevard (later Shore Road) began in 1895.<ref name="Minutes 1895"/>{{rp|PDF p.175}} In 1897, the city started extending Pelham Parkway through to Eastern Boulevard.<ref name="Minutes 1898">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201898.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes and Documents: May 3, 1897 – April 28, 1898 |date=April 28, 1898 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172527/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/50/Board%20of%20Commissioners%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Public%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20and%20Documents%20-%20April%2030%201898.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|258 (PDF p.328)}} By 1902, Eastern Boulevard was referred to as "the Shore drive" since it ran close to the LeRoy's Bay shore. The same year, NYC Parks built a {{convert|4230|ft|m|adj=on}} dirt path, which connected Glover's Rock to Shore Road. Another {{convert|4870|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} dirt road to Pelham Bridge was also built, and a {{convert|6485|ft|m|adj=on}} pedestrian path from City Island Bridge to [[#Railroads|Bartow Station]] was built.<ref name="NYC Parks Annual Report 1902">{{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4299annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1902_part2.pdf |title=1902 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report (Part 2) |date=1902 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116155658/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4299annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1902_part2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{rp|116–117 (PDF pp.85–86)}}

The Hutchinson River Parkway in Pelham Bay Park replaced the old Split Rock Road in the park. The original roadway was an undivided, [[limited-access]] parkway, designed with gently sloping curves, [[stone arch]] bridges, and wooden [[street light|lightposts]]. The original {{convert|11|mi|0|adj=on}} section included [[bridle path]]s along the [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]]. There was also a riding academy where the public could rent [[horse]]s.<ref name="hr-pkwy">{{cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/hutchinson-river-parkway/history |title=Hutchinson River Parkway Highlights |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=October 11, 2017 |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807021759/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/hutchinson-river-parkway/history |url-status=live }}</ref> The parkway is named for Anne Hutchinson and her family, and passes through the part of the park near where the Hutchinsons were killed by the Siwanoy.<ref name=hr-pkwy/> The modern-day parkway was extended south from Westchester through Pelham Bay Park in December 1937.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/hutchinson/ |title=Hutchinson River Parkway |first=Steve |last=Anderson |work=NYCRoads |access-date=September 2, 2007 |archive-date=September 8, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990908204604/http://www.nycroads.com/roads/hutchinson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ps19380204/>

The second highway through the park, the New England Thruway, opened in its entirety in October 1958, connecting the [[Bruckner Expressway]] in the south with the [[Connecticut Turnpike]] in the northeast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/05/archives/to-connecticut-new-england-thruway-to-open-direct-route-from-bronx.html|title=TO CONNECTICUT; New England Thruway to Open Direct Route From Bronx to Rhode Island|last=Ingraham|first=Joseph C.|date=October 5, 1958|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 11, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012094925/http://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/05/archives/to-connecticut-new-england-thruway-to-open-direct-route-from-bronx.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Public transport ===
[[File:Pelham Bay Park bridge vc.jpg|thumb|alt=Pedestrian overpass to the Pelham Bay Park subway station|Pedestrian overpass to the park's [[Pelham Bay Park (IRT Pelham Line)|eponymous station]]]]
Pelham Bay Park is served by the [[New York City Subway]] at [[Pelham Bay Park (IRT Pelham Line)|its eponymous station]] on the west side of the Bruckner Expressway,<ref name="maps">{{Cite NYCS map|neighborhood|Pelham Bay}}</ref> which is served by the {{NYCS trains|Pelham north}}.<ref>{{NYCS const|map}}</ref> The station is part of the former [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]] (IRT)'s [[IRT Pelham Line|Pelham Line]]. The line's northern terminus is located at the southeast corner of Pelham Bay Park, and the IRT station there opened in December 1920.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KO0rAQAAMAAJ&q=May+30|title=A Comprehensive General and Industrial Survey: The Bronx in the City of New York|author=Bronx Board of Trade, New York|date=1931|publisher=Bronx Board of Trade|pages=27|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3a">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ob0JAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA372|title=Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac|date=1922|publisher=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|pages=372|language=en}}</ref> An exit from the station leads onto a pedestrian bridge that crosses the expressway and leads directly to the park.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=65}}<ref name="maps" />

[[MTA Regional Bus Operations]]' [[Bx29 (New York City bus)|Bx29]] route and [[Bee-Line Bus System]]'s 45 route also stop at the park.<ref>{{Cite NYC bus map|Bx}}</ref> The southbound Bx29 makes three stops in the park: on Bruckner Boulevard near the subway station; at the intersection of Shore Road and City Island Road; and at City Island Circle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bustime.mta.info/#Bx29|title=MTA Bus Time: Bx29 City Island – Co-Op City Bay Plaza|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=MTA Bus Time|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107093818/http://bustime.mta.info/#Bx29|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, Bee-Line's 45 route stops near Bartow-Pell Mansion.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=65}} The [[207th Street Crosstown Line|Bx12]] bus serves Orchard Beach during the summer only.<ref>{{cite NYC bus|Bx12}}</ref>

===Railroads===
The [[Harlem River and Port Chester Railroad]] was chartered in 1866,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/viewer/?file=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201869-1871%2FYonkers%2520NY%2520Statesman%25201869-1871%2520-%25200954.pdf|title=Mott Haven — Harlem River and Portchester Railroad|work=The Statesman |location=[[Yonkers, New York]]|date=April 27, 1871|page=1|access-date=October 16, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> connecting the [[Harlem River]] in the south and [[Port Chester, New York|Port Chester]] in the north. The railroad opened in 1873, with some portions passing through the current park.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031256/1873-07-25/ed-1/seq-1/|title=The Sale at Pelham Bridge|work=The Chronicle|location=[[Mount Vernon, New York]]|date=July 25, 1873|page=1|access-date=October 16, 2017|via=Nyshistoricnewspapers.org|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017094349/http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031256/1873-07-25/ed-1/seq-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The route, a branch of the [[New Haven Line]] operated by the [[New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad]], contained six stations. One of these stations, called alternatively City Island or Bartow, in Pelham (now part of the park).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Herald%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Herald%25201873%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Herald%25201873%2520-%25203797.pdf|title=REAL ESTATE MATTERS — Near Opening of the Harlem and Portchester Railroad [The New Haven Branch Line]|work=New York Herald|date=October 29, 1873|page=4|access-date=October 16, 2017|via=Fultonhistory.com|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126233154/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/New%20York%20NY%20Herald/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201873/New%20York%20NY%20Herald%201873%20-%203797.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1895, the railroad re-acquired some of the land from the park<ref name="Minutes 1896"/>{{rp|205 (PDF p.297)}} In 1906, ownership of the Shore Road overpass over the Harlem and Port Chester railroad line was transferred to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.<ref name=courthouse-news/>

A [[Pelham Park and City Island Railway|railroad of some sort]] also connected City Island and Pelham Bay Park from 1887 to 1919. Originally composed of the separate Pelham Park Railroad Company and the City Island Railroad, the {{RailGauge|3ft6in|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] horsecar route was operated by the former of the two companies, which ran service between the Bartow station of the [[Harlem River and Port Chester Railroad]] and Brown's Hotel on City Island. The {{convert|3.2|mi|km|adj=on}} route was complete by 1892.<ref name="street-railway-investments">{{cite book |title=American Street Railway Investments |author=((Editors of the ''Electric Railway Journal''))|publisher=McGraw Publishing Company |location=New York |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j47IQgaWJM4C |year=1907 |page=217 |access-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222081812/https://books.google.com/books?id=j47IQgaWJM4C |url-status=live }}</ref> The IRT absorbed the two companies in 1902 and started designing its own [[monorail]] in 1908.<ref name=street-railway-investments/><ref name=Day1960/> The monorail's first journey in July 1910 ended with the monorail toppling on its side,<ref>{{cite web | title=MONORAIL CAR FAILS IN ITS FIRST TEST; But Electricians and Officials of Pelham Park & City Island Line Say That Was Expected. | website=The New York Times | date=July 8, 1910 | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/07/08/102043041.pdf | access-date=October 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Metcalfe | first=John | title=On This Day in 1910, New York's Monorail Suffered a Grievous Wreck | newspaper=Bloomberg | date=July 16, 2014 | url=http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/07/on-this-day-in-1910-new-yorks-monorail-suffered-a-grievous-wreck/374511/ | access-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-date=October 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021132/https://www.citylab.com/design/2014/07/on-this-day-in-1910-new-yorks-monorail-suffered-a-grievous-wreck/374511/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Day1960">{{cite book |title=More Unusual Railways |author=John R. Day |publisher=Frederick Muller Ltd. |location=London |year=1960 |url=https://archive.org/stream/tramwaysactvict00britgoog|pages=100–103}}</ref> and although service resumed in November 1910, the monorail went into [[receivership]] in December 1911.<ref>{{cite web | title=Receiver for Monorail Line | website=The New York Times | date=December 13, 1911 | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/12/13/104885730.pdf | access-date=October 6, 2017}}</ref> The monorail ceased operation on April 3, 1914,{{sfn|Twomey|2007|p=39}}<ref>{{cite book | title=Minutes of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment of the City of New York | publisher=M. B. Brown Printing & Binding Company | year=1914 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7486AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA2307 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=2307}}</ref><ref name="Upham 2000"/> and was subsequently sold to the [[Third Avenue Railway]],<ref>{{cite news |title=City Island Road Sold. |work=The New York Times |date=July 10, 1914 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1914/07/10/101920722.pdf}}</ref> which abandoned the line on August 9, 1919.<ref>{{cite book |author=State of New York Public Service Commission for the First District |title=Fourteenth Annual Report |publisher=State of New York |year=1920 |url=https://archive.org/details/annualreportfor00distgoog |pages=[https://archive.org/details/annualreportfor00distgoog/page/n397 398]}}</ref>

The Harlem River and Port Chester tracks were maintained by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.<ref name="Eisenstadt Moss 2005">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmHEm5ohoCUC&pg=PA1191|title=The Encyclopedia of New York State|last1=Eisenstadt|first1=P.R.|last2=Moss|first2=L.E.|publisher=Syracuse University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-8156-0808-0|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref>{{rp|1092}} New stations designed by [[Cass Gilbert]] were opened in 1908, but the line's stations were all closed by 1937, having suffered from low ridership.<ref name="Upham 2000"/> During the late 20th century, the old Harlem River and Port Chester tracks went through a series of ownership changes, and in 1976, [[Amtrak]] bought the tracks and integrated the route into its [[Northeast Corridor]].<ref name="Eisenstadt Moss 2005"/>{{rp|81}} The station house for the line's Bartow station still exists, albeit as a deteriorated shell;<ref>{{cite web | last=Gray | first=Christopher | title=Where Ghost Passengers Await Very Late Trains | website=The New York Times | date=November 29, 2009 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/realestate/29scapes.html | access-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017145857/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/realestate/29scapes.html | url-status=live }}</ref> the station's roof burned down after it was closed.<ref name="Upham 2000">{{cite web | last=Upham | first=Ben | title=CITY LORE; The Timetable of Age Overtakes Stations | website=The New York Times | date=November 12, 2000 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/12/nyregion/city-lore-the-timetable-of-age-overtakes-stations.html | access-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017202939/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/12/nyregion/city-lore-the-timetable-of-age-overtakes-stations.html | url-status=live }}</ref> An overgrown path leads from the bridle trail to the former station site.<ref>{{cite web | first=Joseph | last=Brennan | work=Abandoned Stations | title=Bronx Railroad Stations | publisher=Columbia University | date=July 28, 1996 | url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/bronx.html | access-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-date=July 16, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716172116/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/bronx.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

The city renovated the Shore Road railroad overpass in the early 2000s. Citing the 1906 deed that transferred the bridge's maintenance to the company that owned the railroad below it, the city then filed a lawsuit to make Amtrak pay for the renovation. The [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]] ruled in favor of Amtrak in 2013.<ref name="courthouse-news">{{cite web | last=Divito | first=Nick | title=Bronx Bridge's Upkeep Won't Fall to Amtrak | website=Courthouse News | date=August 15, 2013 | url=https://www.courthousenews.com/bronx-bridges-upkeep-wont-fall-to-amtrak/ | access-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-date=October 17, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017100204/https://www.courthousenews.com/bronx-bridges-upkeep-wont-fall-to-amtrak/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Caselaw source|case=City of New York v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Civil Action No. 2011-1169 (D.C. 2013)|courtlistener=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2660221/city-of-new-york-v-national-railroad-passenger-cor/}}</ref>

=== Paths ===
[[Bicycle path]]s go to all parts of the park and west to [[Bronx Park]], east to City Island, and north to Mount Vernon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/bikemap-2016.pdf|title=NYC 2016 Bike Map|publisher=New York City Department of Transportation|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|date=2016|access-date=October 1, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224080853/https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/bikemap-2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The bike trails within the park itself are of varying difficulties.{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=64}}

===Scenic trails===
{{anchor|Kazimiroff Nature Trail}}The [[Kazimiroff Nature Trail]], a wildlife observation trail, opened in 1986.<ref name="rp19860619"/><ref name="nyt19860619"/> It traverses {{Convert|189|acre|ha}} of Hunter Island. Much of the island's natural features are found along the trail.{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|2003|p=2}}  It was opened in 1986<ref name="rp19860619"/> and comprises two overlapping lasso-shaped paths, one slightly longer than the other.<ref name="nyt19860619"/>{{sfn|New York City Parks Department|2003|p=2}}

{{anchor|Siwanoy Trail}}The Siwanoy Trail consists of a trail system that originates in the Central Woodlands section of the park. Originating at City Island Road, it bears to the northeast before splitting into two spurs, one going east to the Rodman's Neck meadow and the other going north around Bartow Circle. At the circle's eastern side, the trail splits again. One spur goes northeast in a self-closing loop to the Bartow-Pell Mansion, and the other goes northwest to connect to Split Rock Trail before going around the Hutchinson River Parkway's interchange with Orchard Beach Road.<ref name=park-map/>

{{anchor|Split Rock Trail}}Split Rock Trail originates at Bartow Circle and stretches for {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} along the west side of the park.<ref name=park-map/><ref name=split-rock/>{{sfn|Ultan|Olson|2015|p=70}} First designated in 1938 along the path of the former Split Rock Road,<ref name="ps19380204">{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252018%2FPelham%2520NY%2520Sun%2FPelham%2520NY%2520Sun%25201938%2FPelham%2520NY%2520Sun%25201938%2520-%25200058.pdf|title=Markers To Be Erected To Designate Route Of Historic Split Rock Trail|date=February 4, 1938|work=Pelham Sun|access-date=October 2, 2017|location=[[Pelham, New York]]|page=1|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> the path was renovated in summer 1987.<ref name=split-rock/>

The park is also traversed by a bridle path.{{sfn|Jackson|2010|p=986}} That path circumscribes both golf courses, with a spur to the Bronx Equestrian Center.<ref name=park-map/>

==See also==
* [[List of individual rocks]]
* [[List of parks in New York City]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|title=30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965|date=June 9, 1964|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_history/library/pdf/thirty_years_of_progress.pdf|access-date=March 31, 2017|ref={{sfnref|30 Years of Progress: 1934–1965}}|archive-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401144428/https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_history/library/pdf/thirty_years_of_progress.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book | author=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society | title=Annual Report to the Legislature of the State of New York | issue=v. 14 | year=1909 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYMIAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA63 | access-date=October 2, 2017 | ref={{sfnref|ASHPS Annual Report|1909}} | author-link=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society }}
* {{cite book |last=Barr |first=Lockwood |title= A brief, but most complete & true Account of the Settlement of the Ancient Town of Pelham, Westchester County, State of New York |publisher=The Dietz Press, Inc |location=Richmond, Virginia |year=1946 }}
* {{Cite Power Broker}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Creating-the-Sanctuaries.pdf|title=Creating the Sanctuaries|date=October 11, 1987|website=Pelham Bay Park|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=October 3, 2017|ref={{sfnref|New York City Parks Department|1987}}|archive-date=September 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902191301/http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Creating-the-Sanctuaries.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book | last1=Fowle | first1=M.T. | last2=Kerlinger | first2=P. | title=The New York City Audubon Society Guide to Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=2001 | isbn=978-0-8014-8565-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9l90Nq_YdXEC | access-date=October 10, 2017 }}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iVM4AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|title=The Bronx|last=Gonzalez|first=Evelyn|date=June 5, 2004|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-50835-3|access-date=January 8, 2017}}
* {{Cite enc-nyc2}}<!--Jackson 2010-->
* {{cite book|first=Stephen|last=Jenkins|title=The Story of The Bronx: From the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in 1639 to the Present Day|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnJFujortxoC&pg=PR15|date=October 2007|publisher=Heritage Books|isbn=978-0-7884-2338-3}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Kazimiroff-Nature-Trail.pdf|title=Kazimiroff Nature Trail|date=July 2003|website=Pelham Bay Park|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=October 3, 2017|ref={{sfnref|New York City Parks Department|2003}}|archive-date=September 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902191303/http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Kazimiroff-Nature-Trail.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qUfosR3PMQoC|title=History in Asphalt: The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names, The Bronx, New York City|last=McNamara|first=John|publisher=Bronx County Historical Society|year=1984|isbn=978-0-941980-16-6|access-date=October 3, 2017|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229172646/https://books.google.com/books?id=qUfosR3PMQoC|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |title=Native Americans |last=O'Hea Anderson |first=Marianne |publisher=Administrator's Office, Van Cortlandt & Pelham Bay Parks, [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|City of New York Parks & Recreation]] |url=http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Native-Americans.pdf |date=June 1996 |access-date=June 7, 2018 |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902191217/http://pelhambaypark.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Native-Americans.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/orchardbeach.pdf|title=ORCHARD BEACH BATHHOUSE AND PROMENADE|date=June 20, 2006|website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]]|publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission|access-date=October 3, 2017|ref={{sfnref|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2006}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142104/http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/orchardbeach.pdf|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book | last=Pell | first=Howland | title=The Pell manor : address prepared for the New York Branch of the Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America | via=Internet Archive | date=1917 | url=https://archive.org/stream/pellmanoraddress00pell#page/n5/mode/2up | access-date=October 2, 2017 }}
* {{cite book|first1=Sharon|last1=Seitz|first2=Stuart|last2=Miller|title=The Other Islands of New York City: A History and Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zRjMPZW4heMC|date=June 6, 2011|publisher=Countryman Press|isbn=978-1-58157-886-7|edition=Third}}
* {{cite book | last=Twomey | first=Bill | title=The Bronx, in Bits and Pieces | publisher=Rooftop Publishing | year=2007 | isbn=978-1-60008-062-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WeVTP3GyFH0C&pg=PA103 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-date=December 29, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229181215/https://books.google.com/books?id=WeVTP3GyFH0C&pg=PA103 | url-status=live }}
* {{cite book | last1=Ultan | first1=Lloyd | last2=Olson | first2=Shelley | title=The Bronx: The Ultimate Guide to New York City's Beautiful Borough | publisher=Rutgers University Press | series=Rivergate Regionals Collection | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-8135-7320-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OenBCQAAQBAJ | access-date=October 11, 2017 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Portals/37/docs/harbor/CRP%20Planning%20Regions/PR_Harlem_East_Rivers_8_2014.pdf|title=HUDSON-RARITAN ESTUARY COMPREHENSIVE RESTORATION PLAN: POTENTIAL RESTORATION OPPORTUNITIES: PROJECT SUMMARY SHEETS: Harlem River, East River and Bronx River|date=2014|website=New York District|publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers|access-date=October 2, 2017|ref={{sfnref|USACE|2014}}|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004085828/http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Portals/37/docs/harbor/CRP%20Planning%20Regions/PR_Harlem_East_Rivers_8_2014.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |title=Van Cortlandt Park, Borough of the Bronx: Restoration Master Plan, Part 1 |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/98_A.pdf |publisher=New York City Parks Department, Storch Associates |access-date=January 8, 2017 |date=1986 |ref={{sfnref|New York City Parks Department|Storch Associates|1986a}} |archive-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227051239/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/arch_reports/98_A.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4010annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1905.pdf |title=1905 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=1905 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211045417/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4010annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1905.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4491annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1907.pdf |title=1907 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=December 31, 1907 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116165515/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4491annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1907.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4302annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1908_part2.pdf |title=1908 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report, Part 2 |date=1908 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222051803/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4302annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1908_part2.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4076annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1909.pdf |title=1909 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=1909 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116155236/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4076annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1909.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4027annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1911.pdf |title=1911 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |date=1911 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116154146/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4027annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1911.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4311annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1912_part2.pdf |title=1912 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report (Part 2) |date=1912 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116170510/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4311annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1912_part2.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4307annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1913_part3.pdf |title=1914 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report (Part 3) |year=1913 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222051948/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4307annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1913_part3.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4309annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1914_part2.pdf |title=1914 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report (Part 2) |year=1914 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222052048/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4309annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1914_part2.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4314annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1915_part2.pdf |title=1915 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report (Part 2) |year=1915 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203165352/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4314annual_report_nyc_dept_parks_1915_part2.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=79Q2AQAAMAAJ |title=1916 New York City Department of Public Parks Annual Report |publisher=New York City Parks Department |access-date=January 14, 2017 |date=1916 |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214215357/https://books.google.com/books?id=79Q2AQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/49/Park%20Board%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20-%20December%2031%201917.pdf |title=Board of Commissioners of the NYC Dept of Public Parks – Minutes: January 4, 1917 – December 27, 1917 |date=December 27, 1917 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203172938/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/49/Park%20Board%20of%20the%20NYC%20Dept%20of%20Parks%20-%20Minutes%20-%20December%2031%201917.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3475annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1919.pdf |title=1919 Bronx Borough Parks Department Annual Report |last=Hennessy |first=Joseph P. |date=1919 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211095017/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3475annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1919.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3944annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1920.pdf |title=1920 Bronx Borough Parks Department Annual Report |last=Hennessy |first=Joseph P. |date=1920 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203073954/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3944annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1920.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3945annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1921.pdf |title=1921 Bronx Borough Parks Department Annual Report |last=Hennessy |first=Joseph P. |date=1921 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113142146/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3945annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1921.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3958annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1922.pdf |title=1922 Bronx Borough Parks Department Annual Report |last=Hennessy |first=Joseph P. |date=1922 |website=[[Government of New York City|nyc.gov]] |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221202530/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/3958annual_report_bronx_dept_parks_1922.pdf |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{GeoGroup}}
* {{Official website|http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/pelhambaypark}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040808214334/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_pelham_bay_park/vt_pelham_bay_park.html NYC Department of Parks & Recreation Pelham Bay Park Virtual Tour]

{{Protected areas of New York City}}
{{New York City waterways}}
{{New York City Islands}}

[[Category:Pelham Bay Park| ]]
[[Category:Geography of the Bronx]]
[[Category:Long Island Sound]]
[[Category:Nature centers in New York City]]
[[Category:Parks in the Bronx]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Bronx]]
[[Category:Urban public parks]]