Floating. That’s the first thing you notice. Most buildings in New York City are aggressively anchored into the bedrock, but the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse lives on a barge. It bobs, just slightly, with the rhythm of the Harlem River. Honestly, if you’re walking through Sherman Creek Park in Inwood, you might feel like you’ve stumbled into a different century or maybe a different state entirely.
It’s a bit of a miracle this place exists at all. For over a hundred years, the Harlem River was basically a graveyard for the city’s rowing culture. Back in the late 1800s, this stretch of water—once called Sculler’s Row—was the epicenter of American rowing. Then, the boathouses burned down, the water got industrial, and the sport effectively vanished from the neighborhood.
In 2004, everything changed. That’s when the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), founded by Bette Midler, finally opened this $4 million structure. It wasn't just a building; it was a statement. It was the first community boathouse built on the Harlem in a century.
The Architecture of a Floating Icon
You’ve got to appreciate the design by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. They didn’t go for some glass-and-steel monstrosity. Instead, the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse looks like a refined, cedar-clad nod to maritime history. It uses board-and-batten siding and deep overhangs that make it look like it belongs in a vintage postcard.
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But the "floating" part isn't just for aesthetics.
The Harlem River has a sensitive intertidal environment. Digging foundations for a permanent building would have been an ecological nightmare. By sitting on a 90-foot by 45-foot barge, the boathouse has a minimal footprint on the riverbed. It rises and falls with the tides—sometimes as much as five or six feet—which is why the gangway to get out there feels like a real transition from the city's concrete to something much more fluid.
Inside, the layout is practical but smart:
- First Floor: Shell storage. This is where the long, sleek rowing shells (some over 60 feet long) are kept on racks.
- Second Floor: This is the heart of the community space. There are offices, a workout room with rowing ergs, and a deck that offers what is arguably the best view of the Harlem River Regatta.
Who Actually Uses the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse?
If you think rowing is just for Ivy League kids in blazers, you haven't been to this dock. Since 2012, the boathouse has been the primary home for Row New York. They eventually bought the building from NYRP in 2017 to secure its future as a community hub.
Basically, the mission here is about leveling the playing field. Row New York runs intensive programs for kids from under-resourced communities. They don't just teach them how to pull an oar; they provide SAT prep, tutoring, and a path to college. Kinda makes the "sport of elitists" label feel pretty outdated, right?
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They also run incredible para-rowing programs. The boathouse is one of the few places in the region where athletes with physical or cognitive disabilities can get on the water with specialized equipment. Seeing a "Silver Bullet" adaptive shell launch from the dock is a regular occurrence here.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Harlem River
People see the Harlem River and think "industrial" or "dirty." That’s a mistake. While it’s technically a tidal strait and not a river, the water quality has improved massively over the last couple of decades.
It’s actually a fantastic place to row. Unlike the Hudson, which can be a choppy, wind-whipped mess, the Harlem is relatively sheltered. The Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse sits right near the "C Rock" (the big Columbia University "C" painted on the cliffs), and on a quiet morning, the water is like glass.
However, it’s not all sunshine and cedar. Being a floating wooden structure in New York harbor is tough. The building takes a beating from the elements. There have been ongoing discussions and plans for a newer, even larger community boathouse at Sherman Creek Park to eventually supplement or replace the aging Sharp structure, but for now, the Peter Jay Sharp remains the undisputed anchor of the neighborhood.
How to Get Involved
You don't have to be a competitive athlete to appreciate this spot. While Row New York focuses heavily on youth and adaptive programs, there are ways for the general public to engage:
- Learn to Row: Keep an eye on local organizations like Harlem River Community Rowing, which often shares the dock space for adult "Learn to Row" sessions in the summer.
- Volunteer: Row New York is almost always looking for academic tutors or people to help out during regattas.
- Visit Swindler Cove: Even if you don't go inside the boathouse, the walk through Swindler Cove Park to the dock is one of the best "hidden" nature walks in Manhattan.
To get there, take the 1 train to Dyckman Street. Walk southeast toward the river, cross the Harlem River Drive at PS 5, and follow the path into the park. You’ll see the cedar siding peeking through the trees.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're interested in visiting or supporting the mission at the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, here is what you should do:
- Check the Schedule: Visit the Row New York website to see if there are any upcoming community days or regattas, as these are the best times for non-rowers to see the facility in action.
- Get a Permit: If you own a kayak or canoe and want to launch in this area, remember that New York City requires a Human-Powered Watercraft Launch Permit. You can apply for one through the NYC Parks Department website.
- Support Local Ecology: Since the boathouse is part of the larger Sherman Creek Park ecosystem, consider joining a "Clean-up Day" hosted by the New York Restoration Project to help maintain the wetlands that surround the dock.