At East 54th Street, greenway users should turn east toward Sutton Place (southbound greenway users should use East 55th Street) and continue north to East 63rd Street, where there is a pedestrian bridge to Bobby Wagner Walk. Bobby Wagner Walk was built in 1939 as part of the construction of the FDR Drive and is the oldest portion of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. The esplanade is a multi-use path with no separation between cyclists and other wheeled users and pedestrians. It is bordered on the east by the East River and on the west primarily by the FDR, though in Carl Schurz Park the path runs next to Gracie Mansion above the FDR.

Carl Schurz Park is a beautiful and old park with huge trees and gorgeous views of the East River and Queens. The opening of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway in 2003 marked the first time that cyclists were allowed to ride in the park. At East 80th Street cyclists must dismount to climb a set of stairs, at which DPR installed a tire channel. The bikeway then continues to East 125th Street.

Bobby Wagner Walk offers an excellent connection to the greenway on Wards and Randall’s Island via the pedestrian bridge at East 103rd Street.