A serene stretch of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is now closed to walkers, runners and bicyclists until spring of 2025 for some necessary repair work, according to the Parks Department.
Starting Monday, the path is closed from 100th to 125th Streets — a section known as the Cherry Walk that hugs tight to the Hudson.
Athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and commuters are being rerouted via temporary detour onto Riverside Drive, according to the plans.
The project will cost $1.5 million, and is scheduled to be completed in March. One of the upgrades will address the bumps, roots and potholes that have made the asphalt path difficult to navigate for the throngs of people who rely on it to travel and exercise every day.
With almost 7,000 bicycle riders each day, the Hudson River Greenway is the busiest bike path in America, according to the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice.
The closure leaves cycling advocates concerned that the detour will not provide a safe alternative for those commuting to and from Upper Manhattan.
The Cherry Walk already underwent repairs in late 2020 for damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, and reopened in 2021.
Another part of the path is currently closed between W. 181st and Dyckman Streets to address a recurring sinkhole at W. 187th Street.
If this year’s construction project finishes on time, the path should be back in business in March.