End-of-Summer Friday: Rock the Boat @ Baylander Steel Beach  

Let's make the most of our remaining Summer Fridays and walk 5.9 miles up the Hudson to late lunch/early happy hour at Baylander, NYC’s and arguably the world’s smallest aircraft carrier, docked at Hudson River Greenway and 125th Street. This walk was originally scheduled for late July.

“Baylander started its service life in 1968 as harbor utility craft YFU-79 during the Vietnam War. It was one of 16 Skilak class lighters that were purchased by the US Navy and used to move men and material around the delta regions there. After the war, it was laid up until 1986 when it was converted into a helicopter landing trainer and renamed Baylander HLT after its home port in Pensacola Bay."

Props to Iris, who suggested and scouted this walk!

Meeting time/place: 10:45 a.m. Friday, September 19, 2025 at Moynihan Train Hall entrance on Eighth Avenue and West 33rd Street (southwest corner).

Route: From Moynihan, we’ll walk north on the Hudson River Greenway to 125th Street, approximately 5.9 miles. Please use restrooms in Moynihan Hall or Penn Station before we begin the walk. We'll make a brief restroom/snack stop at Pier 1 in Riverside Park at 12:15.

Bring: Hat, sunblock, water, snacks. Refreshing beverages and lunch available for purchase at Baylander, where Happy Hour begins at 2 p.m. Here’s the menu.

Guests: You may invite a guest but you must have them sign Shorewalkers’ waiver and release at this link.

Return: The No. 1 train (125th Street stop) is two blocks east of Baylander and all 125th Street subways and Metro-North Harlem/125th Street Station are reachable by crosstown bus. Many drop-out points along the route.

Contacts (day of walk only): Maureen 718 954-1581 and Christine 646 491-0764. Please ID yourself when texting. If you are lost or late, please phone.