Bennett Park

The highest natural point in Manhattan, NYC. A small park with a children’s playground comprises of hills and valleys with lots of natural rock formations. It is located in Washington Heights, Manhattan.

Bennett Park is notable for two things:
One, it is the highest natural point in Manhattan. A plaque marks the spot.
Two, it was the sight of Fort Washington, a Revolutionary War fort that was named after General Washington. The fort was short lived, as the British quickly overran it and General Washington went to Fort Lee, just across the Hudson River (where the town of Fort Lee, NJ, is presently located. There is also a Fort Lee Historic Park, but that is for another review). While there is a cannon in Bennett Park, Fort Washington unfortunately no longer exists.
And that’s pretty much it. The park has a playground that is nice for children and a few places to sit, but it really isn’t that remarkable.
If you just walk a little bit to the north, you arrive at Ft. Tryon Park (see my previous review), which is way more beautiful and impressive.

It’s a tiny little park, slightly elevated from the main street, with a cannon, a fenced in area, and an exposed piece of natural granite. On the granite is a sign stating that it’s the highest natural point in Manhattan, at a meager 265 ft above sea level. It’s pretty cool, and actually the reason I visited this park on my NY non-​touristy tourism binge. It’s worth at least a photo, right?

Small little urban park with ~4 metal tables with chairs to lunch at and several stone slabs to sit on. Nothing much else here, perhaps only giving you an opportunity to sit and eat lunch or read a book. Perhaps in a few years when the trees grow a little for some cover from the sun. Otherwise, I’d probably venture over to Old Slip Park, located on the other side of the block (going west) for a more relaxed and private ambiance.