The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
Local Events
From KHS
Washington and the King’s Bridge
October 22 @6:30 pm ET
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Interested in learning about the advantages of Solar for your co-op or condo? On Tuesday, Nov 10th at 7pm, hear firsthand from experts in the field about the incredible progress that makes solar cheaper than fossil fuels in New York City. The keynote speaker is Noah Ginsburg, executive director of NY Solar Energy Industries Association.
Confirmed speakers also include Jeffrey Perlman, founder of Bright Power which successfully installed solar at The Grinnell co-op on the UWS, the NYC Accelerator, which advises on solar installations throughout NYC, and an UWS co-op leader who installed solar for his co-op.
Hosted by the Jewish Climate Action Network NYC (JCAN NYC), this is a unique opportunity to learn about advantages of installing solar on your building from those who have done it and about other potential building-wide energy savings as well!! You can help your building and our city become more resilient and sustainable while lowering costs. In person or zoom.
Hackett Park Pollinator Garden
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Many thanks to the student volunteers from Riverdale Country School for their hard work in preparing the space and adding the first plantings! Community volunteers of all ages are appreciated- fill out our form below to support the garden!
Exciting new project unfolding in Riverdale!
The Preservancy has planted a new pollinator garden in Hackett Park, right here in the heart of North Riverdale. After working closely with Partnerships for Parks and NYCparks to create a plan, we are thrilled to adding something to this beautiful park space.
If you are interested in volunteering to support this project and other efforts, please complete our volunteer outreach form in the profile bio.
Stay tuned for updates as we get the project underway and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @riverdalenaturepreservancy
Past Events
Garden Tour 2026
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Thank you for joining us!
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Congrats to our Raffle Winners!
Chung Family & Ruiz Family!
Enjoy your passes to escape rooms at 5 Wits and Beat the Bomb!
Garden Tour Sponsors
Aaron Kass and Geoffrey Weiss
Compass Real Estate Agents
instagram/socials @aaronandgeoff
Whether you’re buying your first home, selling your home of 30 years, renting an apartment or finding the perfect investment property, Aaron & Geoff will be with you every step of the way.
Support Local Ecology
Pollinator Pathway NYC
Pollinators are critical for maintaining local ecology. Most bees have a range of about 750 meters. If there is a break in inviting habitat larger than the polliators' comfortable range, their ability to move about and do their important work is threatened. Pollinator Pathways are initiatives to engage with the local community to create an intentional pathway for pollinators ensuring their free motion to, and through, our area. With enough participation, communities will ensure that a hospitable path for pollinators exists throughout the western hemisphere.
Local Development
Hebrew Home Updates
December 1, 2025 CB8 Land Use Meeting
​Special Permit Renewal Application: Hebrew Home - Special Permit Second Renewal
Renewal of a prior CPC approval: a ZS pursuant to ZR 74-901 to allow the development of a long-term care facility in an R1-1 district.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MEETING MINUTES: James Powers presented on seeking a second permit renewal as originally approved by the Land Use Committee to allow for a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) at Hebrew Home Campus. There are no changes to the site plan on this second renewal from the first modified renewal of the Site Plan presented on September 11, 2024 that was approved by the Land Use committee and Regular Board in September 2024. Special Permit has a ten-year term. They have until November 2028 to start the foundation work in phase one under the renewal. CEO David Pomeranz said the construction will begin in early February with a 36-month construction schedule. Will resume quarterly construction meetings consisting of community members. Will try to minimize impact for community at large second permit renewal as originally approved by the Land Use Committee to allow for a continuing care retirement
​community (CCRC) at Hebrew Home Campus. There are no changes to the site plan on this second renewal from the firstmodified renewal of the Site Plan presented on September 11, 2024 that was approved by the Land Use committee and Regular Board in September 2024. Special Permit has a ten-year term. They have until November 2028 to start the foundation work in phase one under the renewal. CEO David Pomeranz said the construction will begin in early February with a 36-monthconstruction schedule.Will resume quarterly construction meetings consisting of community members. Will try to minimize impact for community at large
Committee Concerns and Comments:
• Do you have the staging plan for construction – they will follow up as it is still being formulated.
• Mansion is still there that board was hoping to preserve for historic purposes - It remains as it is.
• 167 of the trees will be removed, this is 20% of all trees on site can you reconsider if this is absolutely necessary? Can you preserve more of them? - They will replace with 239 new trees which are in their landscape plan previously approved. Chair asked them to send details on why they are taking them down and to re-evaluate if they all have to go,give plan on what the replacement and timeline will be for replacement.
• Will you have public access to the river when/if a Greenway is built? – Yes, it is still part of the agreement (MOU) made in the past.
• Does DEP require a Storm Water prevention Plan (SWPP)? - SWPP submitted, reviewed and approved.
• Reducing from 607 to 384 nursing beds due lack of adequate financial support from the State and Government. Medicaid reimbursement is inadequate and an economic burden. Can ask Health Committee to look into this and help deal with these economic issues.
• Are they aware of the project on West 254th Street occurring while their project is happening? The West 254 th Street Safety Plan will impact traffic here and by the Hebrew Home. - Will work with T&T Committee, DOT/DDC to minimize impact as much as can.
• November 6, 2025 they were approved to start construction.
West 254th Street Construction
A community meeting was held at Riverdale Country School on December 12, 2025. Click the buttons below to view informative documents from the meeting. As additional information becomes available, we will share it here.
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Meeting Info:
The City of New York, through the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), intends to acquire specific street areas, shown on the accompanying map below, to support the reconstruction of roadways, sidewalks, curbs, sewers, and water mains. The proposed acquisitions are limited to properties located within the existing street right-of-way (ROW). The project area also includes a City-owned segment of W. 254th Street.
DDC will provide an overview of the project, including its location, purpose, scope, anticipated construction impacts, and the process for acquiring the necessary street areas. Following the presentation, DDC representatives will be available to answer general questions and address community concerns related to the project and the City’s use of eminent domain for acquiring street ROW.