Van Der Donck Park — Attraction in City of Yonkers

A gorgeous new city park in the Getty Square neighborhood of Yonkers. Replacing the Larkin Plaza parking lot, the park is the result of the removal of the asphalt covering the Saw Mill River (new parking structures were built behind Philipse Manor Hall and Tyrone's Pub on Main Street) and the "daylighting" of the river again. And the results are spectacular, with quality like this not seen in Yonkers since before WWII.

The park is not just pretty to look at, but to listen to. The river's rapids make you feel like you're sitting along a country brook -- so calming! You can walk along it on the wooden boardwalk, or stand over it on the pedestrian bridge. Check out the fish and crabs that swim lazily in the tidal pool, or get lucky to spot an alewife or American eel climbing the fish ladder.

The park furniture, mosaics, and even the stonework and fences (real rope!) are of the highest quality. Even the man-hole covers are ornate!

The educational signs spread around the park answer every question that may come up: ecology, engineering, and history of this park, the city it sits in, and the river that runs through it. Even the mosaic showing the migration of the American eel from the Sargasso Sea to this spot is educational. It is half park and half museum. Bravo!

Also visit while you're there: walk through the Beaux-Arts, Warren & Wetmore train station (fabulous ceilings!), the Science Barge on the Hudson River side of the station, and the...

Yonkers is doing a great job. Growing up this was a parking lot that maybe had 50 cars max! Nice place to relax and let kids burn energy. City keeps place clean and I believe volunteer and city alike maintain plant life. Nice spot to enjoy the smaller wild life.. chipmunks are common sight. Only set back is there is nowhere for the homeless to go and they tend to gravitate to that entire area. Most keep to themselves however some are unpredictable... Plz don't misunderstand. Everyone deserves to enjoy city space. Just be alert.. go Yonkers keep up...

It is a really beautiful little park with big important feaures located right across the Yonkers station on Buena Vista Avenue.

It is where the Saw Mill River egress into the Hudson River along the tidal pool. You will see ducks, turtles, birds, fish, and other wild life, swimming and basking in the sun.

Other main attractions are the "Open Classroom" arena and the "Sound Bridge".

A destination most definitely worth your time.

I recommend a leisurely visit to this historic area...