Mayor Marvin's Column: Bronxville Beautification Council And The Village

During these challenging economic times, the development of public/private partnerships is essential for the continuation of services and quality of life enhancements in every municipality.

Rarely do these partnerships work as well as the one that has existed for the last nineteen years between the Village of Bronxville and the Bronxville Beautification Council.  Certainly in this area, the Village was truly ahead of its time.

In 1982, an intrepid pair of Bronxville apartment dwellers, Dr. Burton Pollen and his wife, Alice, lamented over the lack of fresh greenery, flowers and pretty open spaces in the downtown areas of the Village. 

At the time, Leonard Morange Park was overgrown with weeds and amenities such as shade covered benches were non-existent.  So the Pollens committed their hearts, minds and lower backs to digging, planting and raising funds to improve the landscape viewed out their windows.

The group, now ably headed by President George McKinnis, was incorporated in 1993 as the Bronxville Beautiful Council (BBC).  Since then, thanks to the generosity of residents, the Bronxville Beautification Council has embarked on many improvements, large and small, throughout the Village.

The hanging baskets in the business district as well as the beautifully landscaped triangles are all the work of the Bronxville Beautification Council in collaboration with the incredibly hard working staff of the Village’s Department of Public Works. 

Without this efficient and seamless partnership, much of the visual beauty you see upon entering our Village would simply not be possible, especially in this economic downturn.

Possibly the most significant collaboration is the current one taking place on the banks of the Bronxville Railroad Station.  This three year project has so far freed the signature plantings from weeds and overgrowth, allowing the Station’s historic architecture to shine.

Since May of 2011, these newly cleared quadrants have been in the “put back” stage, as the space has been prepped to re-bloom.  When the enormity of the project with the attending financial costs became apparent, the Village had to call on our Bronxville Beautification Council partner for help. 

As always, the BBC’s answer was “yes”.  With the Village supplying labor and some supplies, courtesy of the Department of Public Works, combined with the Bronxville Beautification Council’s physical and financial help, the renovation promises to be historic.

The current “final stage” of the project entails placing topsoil on a special jute mesh to eliminate the previously constant soil erosion. 

Planting beds are also being prepped and trimmed with rocks and 175 flats of ivy are being planted.  As a final crowning glory, an additional one thousand yellow daffodil bulbs are being planted to create a riot of color next spring.

Thanks and appreciation are due to the many hands that make light work.  Mary Rose Nihlen of the Bronxville Beautification Council, who is trained in urban landscaping, donated her creative expertise; Gus’s Landscaping of Tuckahoe is providing very cost effective services funded by the Bronxville Beautification Council, and Mike Marks of Almstead Tree and Shrub Care Company has donated hours of tree pruning services over the last few years.

And finally, Gedney Farms of White Plains, under the leadership and aesthetic sensibility of their landscape architect, Carla Noletti, supplies and plants all the seasonal plantings that the Bronxville Beautification Council donates throughout the downtown area.

In the last few years, the Bronxville Beautification Council has also changed its planting methodology to maximize value.  All of the triangles and borders are now planted in the spring and kept going until the ground is ready to freeze.  Plants are not uprooted and removed, rather fall plants such as chrysanthemums are added as accents to achieve a long lived colorful border for almost seven months both in town and at Village Hall. 

Now, based on experience, we are very mindful of the need going forward to create plant groupings that do not grow such as to affect the visibility of drivers and pedestrians.

It is only through volunteer collaboration with government that we can continue to flourish as a Village.  These partnerships have value on so many levels. 

For example, when speaking to local realtors they mention how the beautiful plantings create a lasting first impression on potential home buyers as they arrive at our gateway entrances.  And even more importantly, our residents enjoy the touches of nature and beauty that surround them as they walk about.

Please remember that this partnership is only the result of the generosity of residents who support the Bronxville Beautification Council which is totally dependent on private donations. 

To help protect and preserve our green spaces, please consider making a tax deductible donation to:

Bronxville Beautification Council, Inc.

P.O. Box 127

Bronxville, NY 10708.