The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
Opportunities to support local ecology!
Leave your leaves to promote
healthy local ecology!
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Stay Informed:
Local Land Use
The Hebrew Home's development plans have been a subject of discussion at Community Board 8 meetings.
Demolition of the Victorian Home located on the south campus has been postponed for 90 days. A community discussion its historic significance took place at a Land Use meeting, including a presentation by Nick Dembowski of the Kingsbridge Historical Society.
The September 11, 2024 Land Use meeting
is available on Youtube- learn more!
Install A Green Roof:
Managing rainwater run-off
Learn more about funding from NYC DEP
NYC DEP offers green roof retrofit funding for private property owners in New York City. The goal is to incentivize private property owners to retrofit their roofs with green roofs to manage storm water runoff.
Attend an online workshop to learn more
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March 12 2025; 2–3:00pm
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June 11 2025; 2–3:00 pm
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September 10, 2025; 2–3:00pm
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December 10, 2025; 2–3:00pm
Co-op blames flooding not on Ida, but instead on DOT
RIVERDALE PRESS (2021)
“In video shot by one of 2727 Palisade’s board members, flooding could be seen all along the sidewalks, the building’s entrance, and even streams of water flowing into the lobby…”
Note: Since the publication of this article, the sidewalk at Palisade and Kappock has been renovated to include permeable surfaces and shrubs.
City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
Zoning changes were passed in 2024 which will affect five boroughs. Preservancy directors offered recommendations to ensure continued protection of the SNAD and encourage consideration of the unique needs of our area.
City Planning Commission Hearing: City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
The July 10, 2024 fifteen hour hearing is available on Youtube. It includes testimony from all five boroughs, and includes speakers from Community Board 8.
Karen Argenti (BCEQ & PBNO) speaks at 1:38:00
Laura Spalter (CB8) speaks at 2:25:00
Vanessa Gibson (Borough Pres.) speaks at 3:10:59
Robert Fanuzzi (BCEQ) speaks at 4:36:40
Community Board 8
Special Committee on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
Report & Resolution- June 2024
Community Board 8 has rejected the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. The full published report offers insight into how the plan fails to meet its stated goals and the needs of our community:
“The Proposal is so plainly one-sided in its desire to advance certain private interests as to raise serious questions warranting inquiry as to their initiation and development. From the standpoint of Bronx Community Board 8 and the Community as a whole the Proposal is fatally flawed and would, if adopted by the City Council, at best, jeopardize the continued vitality of this and other communities through unbridled and overwhelmingly increased density, unsafe and hazardous conditions and circumstances that are fundamentally inconsistent with a sound and livable Community and City…”
~ CB8 Special Committee, City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Report & Recommendations, June 17 2024
CB8 Discussion History
Eclipse 2024:
Community Green Spaces
Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grounds:
Preserved as Public Green Space for Spring 2024!
The Cricket World Cup will be hosted at another venue, avoiding the problems associated with construction of a temporary stadium in Van Cortlandt Park. The proposal had not been presented with ample time for a full and transparent review process, and brought with it concerns about potential for damage to local ecology and historic areas. The VCP Parade Grounds is a popular green space used for community cricket, as well as other sporting events and family picnics. A months-long exclusion of the public from this area to the benefit of a private group presented a heavy burden on the residents of the northwest Bronx.
The Preservancy celebrates the news of this success, which was the result of the joint efforts of outspoken community members, our local elected officials, and local community groups:
From Van Cortlandt Park Alliance:
"Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is very happy to report that the International Cricket Council heard our community’s concerns and will not build a stadium on the Parade Ground.
VCPA thanks the incredible coalition that made this possible.
New Yorkers for Parks, Bronx Council for Environmental Quality, Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces, NY Cricket League, Bronx Community Board 8, Loving the Bronx, NY Road Runners, Riverdale Main Streets Alliance, Van Cortlandt Track Club, Women of Woodlawn, Van Cortlandt Nature Group, and many others.
We heart Congressman Ritchie Torres, NYS Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz, NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz, and NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan. Thank you for standing up for the Bronx! "
