Photo by Denae Brewer/Horizon
Parks Comiss. Adrian Benepe prepares to cut into a replica cake of the High Bridge which celebrated its 155 b-day Jan. 14.

The High Bridge's big b-day bash

By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

What’s 1250 feet long stands 110 feet high and just celebrated its 155th birthday? It’s not the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Nor is it the 1964 World’s Fair Sphere in Flushing Queens. It’s the Romanesque High Bridge.

With its archways spanning across the Harlem River, the Bridge, which connects the Bronx and Manhattan, once played a major part of the Croton Aqueduct system that brought clean water down to Manhattan.

During its birthday bash last month at the High Bridge Recreation Center, complete with a replica cake, party hats and souvenirs, supporters of the bridge voiced their optimism at one day seeing it reopened.

“This bridge played a vital part in the shaping of New York City,” said Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “We must work hard to ensure that we give it the recognition it deserves.”

To that end, several city agencies and private organizations have banned together to restore and reopen the bridge.

Maria Luisa Cipriano, Bronx outreach coordinator for Partnership for Parks says her organization began working on the Bronx side of the bridge with grassroots supporters back in 1998. “It started out as a small group of people who were interested in cleaning up the area as well as seeing the bridge restored. It’s grown a lot since then.”

Lately, most of the efforts have focused on the Manhattan side.

High Bridge Park, located on 173 and Amsterdam Avenue, was recently cleaned and reopened. This came about through the efforts of the New York Restoration Project—an organization that restores, develops and revitalizes community gardens and open spaces in New York City. Actress and Singer Bette Midler founded the organization.

Dorothy Lewandowski Bronx Borough Commissioner for the Parks Department acknowledges that right now Manhattan is getting the bulk of the renovation, but stresses that the Bronx will also benefit. “What’s interesting is there’s a lot of attention being paid to the Harlem River. There’s been a renaissance on the Manhattan side in terms of parkland and a green way.” Ms. Lewandowski explained. “We’re looking to do similar things on the Bronx side. Working with Roberto Climente State Park to open up the waterfront, The High Bridge is the critical link in connecting both Highbridge communities.”

Right now, the Department of Transportation is finishing up a study looking at the likelihood of the High Bridge reopening.

“We know it will take a lot of money and we’re projecting 10 years for full restoration,” said Ms Cipriano. “The report could come back and say the bridge needs a lot of repair or it could say it can be opened tomorrow. We’re all waiting on the edge of our seats.”

The High Bridge, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest pedestrian Bridge in New York City. The bridge opened in 1848 and served as an aqueduct. In 1954 the aqueduct was closed, leaving only a walkway, which was eventually closed. The exact date of the bridge’s official closing is unclear. Many historians say it was in 1970. Others feel it was earlier.

No matter the case, the likelihood of the High Bridge eventually reopening is good. Those at the party felt strongly about this matter.

Commissioner Benepe received the loudest applause when he said. “This is our pledge, to one day reopen the High Bridge. To connect the two Highbridges—Manhattan and the Bronx—and to connect the city with a network of greenways.”

To learn more about the High Bridge contact Partnership for Parks-718-430-4641 or visit the Parks Department website at www.nycgovparks.org.