You have probably driven right past it. On Warburton Avenue in Greystone, across the street from the River Tides apartments, a green sign marks a set of stone steps climbing into the trees. That's Martin Ginsburg Park. It is small, it is quiet, and it's a shortcut most people don't know about.
A Park You've Probably Driven Past
When it was dedicated in April 2023, the Hudson Valley Press called it Yonkers' 81st neighborhood park. It is named for Martin Ginsburg, the founder of Ginsburg Development Companies. His company has been building in Greystone since 1969, starting with an apartment building called The Esplanade. River Tides, right across the street, is one of his too.
It Started as a Problem Hill
This hill was not always pretty. Back in 2019, the New York Real Estate Journal and Westfair both reported that the land was a former building site. It had been clear-cut during the last building boom. With the trees gone, mudslides followed. Then the recession hit and the hill just sat there.
The fix was a deal. According to the Real Estate Journal, the City traded the builder a different piece of land so this hill could become a park. The plan was announced in late 2019. The cost came to about $1 million, split evenly between the City and the builder. The builder handled the design and part of the work.
What's There Now
A stairway and winding stone paths climb the slope. There are gardens, shrubs and benches along the way, so you can stop and catch your breath. The green sign at the entrance carries the Parks Department's line: Parks Are For People. At the dedication, Mayor Mike Spano said the project was about putting unused land to work, reimagining green space and reconnecting neighborhoods. Martin Ginsburg called it a win-win for the city. Now Greystone neighbors have a direct path up to the aqueduct trail.
Look for the Animals
The park opened with some company. City of Yonkers photos from the dedication show a big stone turtle by the steps. Two bronze deer stood in the grass near the street. A copy of The Thinker, the famous statue of a man deep in thought, sat on a stone base.
The Trail at the Top
At the top of the steps is the Old Croton Aqueduct. An aqueduct is a giant tunnel built to carry water. This one ran 41 miles, from the Croton River to Manhattan. Water started flowing on June 22, 1842. Gravity did all the work, and the trip took about 22 hours.
The aqueduct carried water to the city until 1955. In 1968, New York State bought a 26.2 mile stretch of it, and the top became a trail. Today it runs from Yonkers north to Cortlandt. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
That means you can walk on top of a tunnel that is older than the Civil War. In Yonkers, it's a short walk from the Greystone and Glenwood train stations. Fall is a good time to go. The air is crisp and the leaves crunch under your feet.
So next time you're on Warburton, park the car. Climb the steps. Walk a little history.
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