The Riverdale Nature Preservancy
Local Events
Preservancy Garden Tour 2026
Early bird tickets on sale now- $15!
DATE: July 19, 2026 (Rain date 7/26)
TIME: 11:00am- 3:00pm
The Riverdale Nature Preservancy is proud to host its second annual Garden Tour! This year's tour features magnificent gardens in the Estates and Hudson River section of Riverdale. Guests will learn about local ecology, view unique properties, and meet neighbors who share an enthusiasm for natural beauty.​​​
Early bird discount price is available for a limited time!
GETTING THERE
Check-in:
Riverdale Country Lower School
1 Spaulding Lane, Bronx, NY 10471
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Your first stop is RCS to pick up wristbands for property access and tour brochures.
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Free parking will be available at RCS, as well as in close proximity to most tour stops.
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Accessible by public transportation
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By Bus: BX10, BX7, BXM1, BXM2, BXM18.
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By Subway: Take the 1 train to West 231st Street and transfer to the BX7 or BX10 heading to "Riverdale"
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Metro North Station at Riverdale (0.5 miles walk via the Riverdale Park Trail) Exit the station onto W. 254th St., walk up the hill and the trail head appears on your right before Palisade Ave. Follow the flat path straight through the woods and exit at the parking lot, school is on your left)
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JUST FOR KIDS!
Adult tour guests can bring kids under 18 for free!
This year, we are excited to include activities which will engage children on the tour, and offer educational material about our local ecology. Kids who complete our scavenger hunt will receive a free raffle ticket to enter for a chance to win family passes to escape rooms at either 5 Wits or Beat the Bomb.
Thank you to our 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.
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Pollinator Palooza @Riverdale Y Sunday Market!
Date: Sunday, June 14, 9am-2pm
Location: 3407 Netherland Ave. 10463 (St. Gabe's)
Join us for a bee-utiful day at the market!
Celebrate Juneteenth in Van Cortlandt Park!
June 19 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble invite you to an outdoor celebration of Juneteenth at the Enslaved Burial Ground and the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
​4pm: Enslaved Burial Ground
Musical Performances and Libations followed by a Musical Procession to the Museum
5pm: Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
Presentation: Reimagining the Enslaved Burial Ground Design Ideas
Museum Tour
Literary Freedom Project
Food for Sale
6pm: Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn
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From Friends of Spuyten Duyvil
Come hug a tree on June 13!
NYC Parks will show us how to measure, ID,
and check the health of Henry Hudson Park trees.
Saturday ▪︎ June 13 ▪︎ 10 am–12 pm
RSVP bit.ly/FoSDevents
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.
Long Term Planning
Greater Greenways Long-Term Expansion Plan Survey
NYC Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with NYC DOT and NYC Parks, is working to enhance and expand the greenway network and provide high-quality, continuous biking and walking facilities for New Yorkers in all five boroughs.
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To find more information, please visit the project website: https://edc.nyc/citywide-greenways
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This initiative is just getting underway, and we are seeking community input from a diverse set of New Yorkers. Sharing your thoughts in the 5 minute survey below will help us understand how these spaces are used and will shape the future of greenways in New York City.
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.
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Attend an online workshop to learn more​:​​​​​
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June 10, 2026; 2–3:00 pm
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September 9, 2026; 2–3:00pm
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December 9, 2026; 2–3:00pm
