POSTPONED: RIVER-TO-RIVER TOUR

Cost: Free with voluntary contribution. Special instructions: bring a picnic lunch and water to drink.

In honor of World Water Day join us on a “River-to-River” walk across Manhattan from the Hudson to the East River ending at beautiful Carl Schurz Park and Gracie Mansion. The focus of this tour is the fact that New York City owes its history and development to its location, its and waterways and the creation of the Croton Aqueduct system in the 1840's which brought fresh water from upstate to the City amid our growing population. NYC is blessed with having one of the best water systems of any large metropolitan area on the planet!

 Our tour will also tell the story of the creation of Central Park and visit the site of a natural spring that was used by the residents of the Seneca Village community in the 1800’s! This amazing stroll will cover the history of Upper Manhattan's development from the 1600’s to the present with stops at many architectural treasures, iconic buildings and extraordinary 5th Avenue mansions.  

The tour begins at 72nd Street and Riverside Drive and ends at East 86th Street overlooking the East River in Carl Schurz Park. This tour entails about 5 miles of walking on mostly level terrain (some steps in Riverside Park). Neighborhoods covered: Upper West Side, Upper East Side/Yorkville, Carnegie Hill. Bring lunch and/or snacks and water. We will have a break to eat and use restrooms in Central Park by the Delacorte Theatre.

FOR RESTROOMS, COFFEE, ETC BEFORE THE TOUR: Bloomingdale's Outlet has restrooms at the NW corner of Broadway and 72nd Street. West side of Broadway 70th-71st Street has a Starbucks and McDonalds. There's also the Pier 72 old school diner on West End. Ave. & 72nd Street.

About World Water Day

World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness about the vital importance of water to safeguarding human security and maintaining the health of the planet's ecosystems. This year's theme, "Water and Climate Change," highlights not only the urgent importance of strengthening water security and establishing access to a sustainable water supply in the face of changing climate conditions worldwide, but also the many ways that shifting atmospheric and oceanic conditions are reshaping the global hydrologic cycle.

Increasing sustainable access to safe drinking water is a key objective of the U.S Government Global Water Strategy and USAID’s Water and Development Plan. In support of the water strategy, USAID seeks to provide 15 million people with sustainable access to drinking water services by 2022.   Globally, 663 million people still lack access to safe drinking water sources—the very resource on which a healthy, productive life depends. Even for those who have access, services are often inadequate to meet basic needs.

Our tour will also tell the story of the creation of Central Park and visit the site of a natural spring that was used by the residents of the Seneca Village community in the 1800’s! This amazing stroll will cover the history of Upper Manhattan's development from the 1600’s to the present with stops at many architectural treasures, iconic buildings and extraordinary 5th Avenue mansions.

Pictured above is the site of one of the distributing reservoirs, which was part of the 19th century aqueduct system. Occupying the site today is the NY Public Library and Bryant Park.

Here's a couple of links with information about World Water Day. http://worldwaterday.org/ http://www.unwater.org/what-we-do/inspire-action/