The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
RNP In The Community
Van Cortlandt Park is Our Park!
On the evening of September 22, 2023 The Preservancy joined with community groups, neighbors and elected officials to celebrate community access to green space at Van Cortlandt Park's Parade Ground. News that the Cricket World Cup will be hosted on Long Island, leaving the park space available for public use, was released the previous week.
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Attendees enjoyed 70s music, crafts, friends and open green space as a prelude to Van Cortlandt Park Alliance's Starlight Cinema at Sundown featuring Star Wars.
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Celebrants included representatives from Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, and US Representative Ritchie Torres.
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Did you know parts of Riverdale, Fieldston and
Spuyten Duyvil are designated as a
SPECIAL NATURAL AREA DISTRICT (SNAD)?
Did you know parts of Riverdale, Fieldston and Spuyten Duyvil are designated as a SPECIAL NATURAL AREA DISTRICT (SNAD)?
This designation was made in 1975 through the New York City Zoning Resolution. It is an important part of protecting natural areas, guiding development to safeguard mature trees and plantings, steep slopes, and rock outcrops.
​At present there are four SNADs in NYC, including the one in our neighborhood.
Why does NYC create
Special Natural Areas?
SNADs are mapped "only in areas where outstanding natural features or areas of natural beauty are to be protected. The preservation of such areas is important because they contain areas of special ecological significance, interesting geological formulations and rock outcrops, unique aquatic features such as tidal wetlands, unique topographic features such as palisades, valleys and hills, important plant life such as glaciated oak-chestnut forests or because they serve as habitats for native flora and fauna." (Section 7412-10 of the zoning text)
The NYC Planning Commission adopted Special Natural Area District (SNAD) zoning regulations in 1974. The Commission updated and strengthened the regulations in 2005
SNAD ProtectsNatural Features:
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trees 6" caliper or greater,
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topographic elements: steep slopes (incline of 25% or greater), existing natural topography (0 % to < 25 % slope), and topsoil,
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rock outcrops and erratic boulders,
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wetlands and surface water features, and
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botanic environments.
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How can you participate in our SNAD Awareness Campaign?
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Download our SNAD Awareness brochure or coloring sheets.
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Display a "You Are in the SNAD" lawn sign on your property*
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Where is
Riverdale's SNAD?
The SNAD in Riverdale covers much of Fieldston and Riverdale west of the highway.
How can I learn more about responsible land stewardship in our area?
Learn more about protecting local ecology here!
Special Natural Area District (SNAD) Awareness Campaign:
Join us as we highlight ecologically protected
areas in our neighborhood!
I would like to order a FREE SNAD Awareness lawn sign!
For display on SNAD properties only. Click here to see if you are in the SNAD, which is zoned as NA-2.