By Carol P. Bartold
Dec. 7, 2016: The countdown to Christmas is well under way in Bronxville. Signs of the holiday abound in the village.
The Bronxville Department of Public Works has installed lighted garlands on the new street light fixtures in the eastside business district. Trees at village hall, Leonard Morange Square, and the intersection of Parkway Road and Dewitt Avenue are illuminated. NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital has donated wreaths to decorate the west side business district.
To encourage shoppers to shop for the holidays in Bronxville, the village will sponsor free parking on Saturday, December 24, from noon to 7:00 pm in the Kraft Avenue, Garden Avenue, and Avalon lots.
For Mayor Mary Marvin and the village trustees, the holidays in Bronxville are a special time of year. "I enjoy seeing extended families walking and enjoying each other's company as they walk about the village," Marvin said.
Trustee Anne W. Poorman said she feels a silent embrace when she sees fir trees around the village strung with lights.
"The level of holiday bustle in Bronxville is perfect," said Trustee Randy Mayer. "You can feel the anticipation of the holidays and enjoy the energy of people on all sorts of holiday errands in our downtown." He added that he leaves the village as seldom as possible during the holiday season.
A heightened sense of family, community, and giving contribute to the spirit that makes the holidays special to Trustee Guy Longobardo. "A family walk to the pageant during a light Christmas Eve snowfall is pretty special as well," he noted.
Pictured here: Signs of the holidays and good cheer in Bronxville.
Photo by A. Warner
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400