World Water Day River-to-River Walk! From the Hudson to the East River.

RSVPs open on Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:00pm. Space is set aside for new members and first and 2nd timers who land on the waiting list. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.

NO REPEATS IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS TOUR PREVIOUSLY!

Cost: This tour is “pay what you wish” at the end via cash, Venmo or zelle.

OVERVIEW
In honor of International World Water Day which occurs annually during the 3rd week in March, join us on a “River-to-River” walk across Manhattan from the Upper West side to the East River ending at beautiful Carl Schurz Park and Gracie Mansion. The focus of this tour is the fact that New York City owes its history and development to its location and its waterways, and the critically important creation of the Croton Aqueduct system in the 1840's which brought fresh water from upstate to the City amid our growing population. NYC is blessed with having one of the best water systems of any large metropolitan area on the planet!

Bring lunch, snacks, water to drink. This 1/2 day tour, which has been an annual tradition in our group, is free with a voluntary contribution to your guide at the end via cas, Venmo or Zelle. Please no repeats if you have done this tour before.

Estimated walking distance is 6 miles. Please be fit enough to walk at a decent pace, at times. We will have a lunch break in Central Park in an area with restrooms and benches to sit on. The tour begins at 72nd Street and Riverside Drive by the statue of Eleanor Roosevelt. and ends at East 86th Street overlooking the East River in Carl Schurz Park, convenient to numerous bus routes including the M86 crosstown, Q, 4,5,6 subways.

Restrooms Before the Tour: We will stop for restrooms during the first portion of the walk in Riverside Park BUT I cannot guarantee it will be open. Options before the walk: Trader Joes (down two levels) West Side of Broadway, just south of 72nd Street, Fairway Market at 74th and Broadway (2nd floor), there is a Starbucks and Viand Cafe (75th Street (75th Street, East Side of Broadway and a McDonalds( Broadway 70-71st.). Peaky Barista at 245 West 72nd Street (West of Broadway, on the way to to our meeting place).
Grab a bite if you like at Kossar's Bialys and Bagels at 270 West 72nd Street (no restrooms).

The theme for World Water Day celebrated officially on March 22, 2026, is "Water and Gender," with the campaign slogan “Where water flows, equality grows”. This initiative focuses on the crucial link between safe water, sanitation, and gender equality, highlighting that women and girls are disproportionately affected by the global water crisis. More information here:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day-new/background-new

Pictured above is the former reservoir in Central Park (today's Great Lawn). We’ll also tell the story of the creation of the park and visit the site of a natural spring that was used by the residents of the Seneca Village community in the 1800’s before the park was created. This amazing stroll will cover the history of Upper Manhattan's development from the 1600’s to the present with stops at many architectural treasures, iconic buildings and extraordinary 5th Avenue mansions.

This tour entails about 6 miles of walking on mostly level terrain (some steps in Riverside Park). Neighborhoods covered - weaving in human history, natural history and architecture: Upper West Side, Upper East Side/Yorkville, Carnegie Hill.

Cheers from Hank,

hankorenstein@gmail.com
646-596-3005