The Great Saunter

The Great Saunter is a day-long hike along Manhattan's 32-mile shoreline, visiting more than 20 parks and promenades.[1][2] Manhattan's waterfront rim has evolved since Shorewalkers Inc, a nonprofit environmental and walking group, began advocating for a public shoreline walkway in 1982. Now the path is nearly contiguous.[1] The Saunter takes place on the first Saturday in May, recognized by the New York City Council as "The Great Saunter Day".[3]

The Great Saunter has received support from numerous elected officials as well as folk singer Pete Seeger, who co-wrote the "Shorewalkers' Saunter Song".[1]

The walk originally started at the South Street Seaport,[4] but the area was damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Great Saunter now starts and finishes at Fraunces Tavern.[2]

In 2018, about 1700 people participated in the Great Saunter and by 2026, participants totaled 3000-a growth that did not come without challenges.[5][6] Approximately half of the participants are locals and the balance travel for the event.[7]

The Great Saunter was first explored and walked by Shorewalkers founder Cy A. Adler in 1982 or 1984.[8][9] Adler wrote a book about this called Walking Manhattan’s Rim, the Great Saunter, published by Green Eagle Press.[10] In 1984, the first walk had only a few people who had to climb fences and go through holes along the deteriorating waterfront which had lost much of its shipping due to the Container Revolution.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Allan, David G. (September 17, 2010). "Circumnavigating Manhattan — Bring Band-Aids". The New York Times. p. MB10. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Dworin, Caroline H. (May 3, 2019). "One Island, 32 Miles, a Million Emotions". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Resolution recognizing the contributions of the members of Shorewalkers, Inc. Which promotes and preserves New York City's shores and wetlands, and recognizing the first Saturday in May each year as "The Great Saunter Day."". New York City Council. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ Laskow, Sarah (May 7, 2012). "Walking All 32 Miles of Manhattan's Coastline". Daily Intelligencer (blog). New York. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  5. ↑ Williams, Annabelle (May 14, 2026). "Who Wants to Take a 32-Mile Walk Around Manhattan? Everyone, Apparently". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  6. ↑ Gassel, Sarah. "Thousands Take 32-Mile Great Saunter Around Manhattan Shoreline". www.ourtownny.com. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  7. ↑ Villano, Matt (February 8, 2024). "You Can Go on an Epic 32-Mile Hike—Without Leaving NYC". AFAR Media. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Great Saunter Explores the Entire Perimeter of Manhattan's Waterfront at 3 Miles Per Hour". Untapped New York. May 19, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  9. ↑ Roberts, Sam (October 19, 2018). "Cy Adler, Pied Piper of Manhattan's Piers, Is Dead at 91". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  10. ↑ Allan, David G. (September 18, 2010). "Circling Manhattan (Bring Extra Socks)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
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