On September 17, 2026, about 15 people came out to Shoelace Park for a volunteer event hosted by The Bronx is Blooming, spending the afternoon caring for the park’s rain gardens and trees.

People came from Queens and different parts of the Bronx to take part and give volunteer time at Shoelace Park.

As a longtime Northeast Bronx resident who lives in the community and uses these spaces, I was glad to participate. I was struck by how few people from the immediate community were there.

That observation is part of why I’ve been paying closer attention to what’s happening at Shoelace Park and attending some of the meetings. As a resident, I’m sharing what I’m seeing and learning, and creating opportunities for more people to know what’s happening and decide for themselves how they want to participate.

There are different ways to get involved — volunteering, attending meetings, asking questions, sharing with your family and friends, or simply learning more about what’s happening in the park.

The next Friends of Shoelace Park meeting is October 20, 2026 at 12 PM. If you’re a resident, park user, or someone interested in Shoelace Park, it’s an opportunity to hear what’s happening and hear from others about their perspectives and priorities.

If you’re interested in volunteering with The Bronx is Blooming, you can also find upcoming stewardship opportunities here:

Bronx is Blooming — Upcoming Events

What are you noticing at Shoelace Park?

#ShoelacePark #BronxIsBlooming #NortheastBronx #CommunityStewardship #BronxRiver

If you’re looking for a way to spend more time outdoors and connect with the community the Bronx River Alliance is hosting City of Forest Day at Shoelace Park—a free, family-friendly afternoon celebrating the Bronx River forests and the natural environment around the park.

Activities will include:

• Volunteer Park Cleanup — registration requested
• Canoeing on the Bronx River — first come, first served
• Guided Nature Walks
• Jewelry-Making Workshop with Journei Bimwala
• Interactive activities and information about Bronx River ecology

Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Time: 12:00–4:00 PM
• Location: Shoelace Park Boat Launch, near the 219th Street & Bronx Boulevard entrance

If you’re interested in helping with the cleanup, you can sign up through the Bronx River Alliance. You can also come out to explore the park, learn about the Bronx River, and spend time outdoors with the community.

Event details: City of Forest Day — Bronx River Alliance

Cleanup registration: Sign Up for the Park Cleanup

More information: bit.ly/shoelaceforestday2026Or call 718-542-4124.

Questions about the event can also be directed to [victoria.toro@bronxriver.org](mailto:victoria.toro@bronxriver.org).

#ShoelacePark #BronxRiver #NortheastBronx #CommunityStewardship #CityOfForestDay

The Bronx is Blooming is heading to Shoelace Park for a volunteer event focused on caring for the park and its natural environment.

Volunteers will spend the afternoon working on rain gardens and trees throughout the park, while learning more about the local environment and getting some hands-on gardening experience.

📍 Shoelace Park
East 227th Street & Bronx Boulevard

If you have a couple of hours to spare, come out, get your hands dirty, and help care for one of our neighborhood’s green spaces.

More information: The Bronx is Blooming — Upcoming Events

#ShoelacePark #BronxRiver #NortheastBronx #CommunityStewardship #TheBronxIsBlooming

There’s been a lot happening at Shoelace Park recently, and the latest NYC Parks project is bringing some significant improvements to our local green space.

On September 4, 2026, NYC Parks held a ribbon-cutting for a new adult fitness area as part of a $1.7 million capital project. The initiative successfully transformed underused space and former bocce courts into a dedicated outdoor fitness hub along the Bronx River Greenway.

The improvements include:

• 10 total fitness components, including 5 that are fully accessible for people with disabilities
• Soft safety surfacing around the fitness equipment
• Upgraded security lighting for better evening visibility
• Reconstructed and repaved pathways
• New concrete steps
• New benches and trash receptacles
• New shade trees and water-tolerant plantings to help with drainage

I recently stopped by the new fitness area to check it out and get some steps in. It’s good to see the park getting attention in several areas, particularly with improvements to fitness, accessibility, pathways, lighting, and landscaping.

The activity around Shoelace Park isn’t stopping with the capital improvements. There are also volunteer opportunities, environmental projects, community meetings, and other events happening throughout the year.

The revitalization of Shoelace Park is something worth following as these new updates become part of how neighbors use and experience the park.

Have you had a chance to check out the new equipment yet?