Back in 2000, around fifty canoes started paddling down the Bronx River in the the first annual Bronx River Flotilla. More than twenty years later, the flotilla continues, spearheaded by the Bronx River Alliance.
The Bronx River and the Golden Ball
The Bronx River is New York City’s only freshwater river. Once, the river was fenced off and hidden from sight by riverfront factories and scrap metal yards. It was filled with debris and there were even cars and refrigerators discarded into the river.
It took a massive community effort to get the Bronx River cleaned up, restored and the waterfront rejuvenated.
Eventually, 1999 was declared the Year of the Bronx River and in April of that year, the first Golden Ball Festival was held as a flotilla of canoes and kayaks paddled along a golden ball as it bobbled from Bronxvile in Westchester County down to Hunts Point Riverside Park.
In 2000, the Bronx River Flotilla was officially inaugurated as the canoes made their down the river, escorting the golden ball.
Amazing Bronx River Flotilla
More than 20 years later, the Bronx River Flotilla, or also known as the Amazing Bronx River Flotilla, is still going strong.
The five-mile paddle along the Bronx River takes participants through different landscapes along the river. Participants get to go past the New York Botanical Gardens, the Bronx Zoo and the southern stretches of the estuary. Rowers even get within earshot of the cries of animals from the Bronx Zoo.
The route even goes past several waterfalls and the fish ladder at the 182nd Street dam.
Each year, the Flotilla ends with a celebratory party. In 2023, the Bronx River Flotilla will be a four-mile paddle starting from Shoelace Park and ending at Starlight Park.
The Bronx River Flotilla is a unique way to see the city, what has been accomplished in restoring the river and what more needs to be done. The event is usually held to raise funds kids and their families.
