Yonkers Downtown Waterfront

Before writing this view I took a nice bike ride from Riverdale to Hudson Park/​Downtown Waterfront, which meant passing through some beautiful neighborhoods to areas that seem like they were hit by World War 2. Yeah, you know it’s not the scenic route when you pass by a liquor store every 2 blocks. The waterfront allowed me to escape, take a fresh breath by the water and enjoy some outdoor beauty while the seagulls and birds seemed to try to do the same despite devilish kids using them as target practice with rocks.
The Downtown Waterfront has a little of everything, and the potential for a lot more. Sit by the rocks and catch some sun. Take a nice stroll along the boardwalk. Eat at one of several nice restaurants (indoor and outdoor). Explore a little further away from the main designation if you just want to grab a pizza, or even go to the library (do people go there anymore?) You can also take your chances catching chemically enhanced fish in the Hudson (as I’ve witnessed). I really hope those fish are not digested. Explore the Science Barge greenhouse (solar powered urban farm). Evenings occasionally offer concerts (which I have yet to attend), and a Metro– North is conveniently located close-​by for folks who probably paid way too much to visit.
I really like the idea of the Downtown Waterfront. While it’s a nice little getaway, I wish it offered more. It could potentially offer great day and night life or events that gather hordes of people because it sure has the look of something beautiful. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by other destinations where I can have a girly frozen drink by the water. Maybe I want a nearby basketball court mini golf section. Maybe I want a water taxi nearby. The only similarity between those and this one is that someone is bound to escape into a less police secured area and smoke a joint.
I don’t come here often but from the occasions I have during a week day or weekend evening, there’s never been a much of a crowd. Now that either says it lacks appeal, or it’s too distant for the main demographic.
In all honestly, this park is located close to a low income neighborhood and was intended for a kind of rebuild/​rebranding of what once was. There’s definitely an appeal, but it’s still a work in progress.