Bronx Park East: Access to the Green Heart of the Bronx

The Bronx Park East station is an elevated subway station located in the borough of The Bronx, New York. It serves as an important access point to the famous Bronx Park, including the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. Its location on the White Plains Road line makes it an essential stop for local residents and visitors to these key attractions.

Connections and Services

The Bronx Park East station is a single station and is not part of an interconnected complex:

Bronx Park East (White Plains Road Line)

• This station is a local stop on the White Plains Road line of the New York City Subway system (IRT Division).
• It is served by trains of the following services:
  • 2 (red)
  • 5 (red)
• Main entrance address: Morris Park Avenue & White Plains Road, Bronx, NY 10460

Platforms and Configuration

• The Bronx Park East station operates on a single main line, the White Plains Road Line.
• It is not part of an interconnected station complex and does not offer direct in-station transfers to other lines such as:
  • Lexington Avenue Line (trains 4, 5, 6)
  • Other IND or BMT lines
• The station has two side platforms and three tracks; the center track is not normally used for regular service.

As it is a single-line station, there are no direct transfers to other subway lines within the station itself.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road, in the Van Nest / Bronx Park East neighborhood of The Bronx.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Access to Bronx Park

    • Considered the main subway entrance for the world-famous Bronx Zoo.
    • Provides close access to the New York Botanical Garden.
    • Allows enjoyment of the extensive green and recreational areas of Bronx Park.

  • Local Community

    • Serves the residents of the Van Nest and Morris Park neighborhoods.
    • Access to local shops, services, and restaurants located on Morris Park Avenue.
    • Proximity to important medical centers in the area, such as Jacobi Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

  • Connectivity in The Bronx

    • Facilitates transportation for residents and visitors within the East Bronx.
    • Connects this area with other parts of The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn via the 2 and 5 services.

History and Evolution

• The Bronx Park East station was opened on March 3, 1917, as part of the expansion of the IRT’s White Plains Road Line.
• As a typical elevated station of that era, it has maintained much of its original structure, although it has received maintenance and some updates over the years.
• Its primary function as a gateway to Bronx Park and service to the local community has remained constant for over a century.

Interesting Facts

• The station is especially busy on weekends and in the summer due to its proximity to the Zoo and the Botanical Garden.
• Its elevated structure offers views of the surrounding urban environment and the nearby Bronx Park.
• It is a vital stop for thousands of annual visitors who come to the main cultural and natural attractions of The Bronx.