Above: View of the Saw Mill River as it passes through Van der Donck Park with the Metro North Station in the background.

“Scenic Hudson spearheaded the “daylighting” (uncovering) of the Saw Mill River that forms the centerpiece of this exciting urban oasis. When is a river not a river? When it’s buried beneath pavement, as the Saw Mill River was in downtown Yonkers for most of the 20th century. Scenic Hudson took initial steps to demonstrate the feasibility of “daylighting” this important Hudson River tributary and partnered with local groups to convince city officials to launch this revolutionary project. Today, a rippling Saw Mill is the centerpiece of this park that replaced an unsightly parking lot. It’s an excellent place to relax and enjoy nature — including eels, which are making a comeback in the resurrected river.” (Scenic Hudson)

The Saw Mill River lay buried under concrete in this park/parking lot from 1922-2011.

A fish ladder and an eel ladder have been built, allowing migrating species to travel upriver. The river is now home to hundreds of different species, including snapping turtles, egrets, and salamanders.

A pair of mallards on the Sawmill River.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II