Like the rest of the Bronx and New York City, West Farms dramatically experiences all four seasons. The winters can be below freezing, snowing, windy, and simply unpleasant. The summers can be humid and above 90°F! Thankfully, spring and fall can be a bit milder in the Bronx and you'll often find days with absolutely perfect walking conditions! Just remember to bundle up when necessary and protect those sensitive paws on the hotter days!
West Farms is largely made of artificial terrain as is much of New York City and the surrounding boroughs. The neighborhood is also a bit hilly, so depending on your route, it may be a bit more of a workout! Thankfully, most of this neighborhood has paved sidewalks, which is perfect for you and your pup to avoid that infamous New York traffic. You may want to stick to some lower elevation if you want to avoid a challenging walk, but hikers in the area may be pleasantly surprised.
West Farms is one of the smaller neighborhoods in New York City. The borders of West Farms include the Bronx Zoo to the north, the Bronx River to the east, Cross Bronx Expressway to the south, and Southern Boulevard to the west. Besides those bordering streets, 108th East Street is another high-speed, more congested road, that may be best to avoid during a walk.The largest greenway in West Farms is Vidalia Park. It is home to a picnic area, a playground, and a basketball court. Other greenways include Volky Garden, Daly Avenue Garden, and Mohegan Triangle. Sadly, there are no off-leash areas for your pup in West Farms, so remember to be courteous to other visitors and pedestrians.
Immediately to the north is the Bronx Zoo, an incredibly large greenway, but pets are not permitted. Finally, to the northeast of the neighborhood, you will find River Park which is home to a playground, general recreation areas, walking trails, baseball fields, and some shoreline which is perfect for a quick dip on a hot, summer day.