Riverdale, Bronx

{{Location map|New York City |lat=40.9005600|long=-73.9063900|caption=Location of Riverdale in New York City}} [[File:RiverdaleBronxNY.jpg|right|thumb|Location of Riverdale in the Bronx]] '''Riverdale''' (population: 47,850, according to the 2000 U.S. Census) is an affluent residential [[neighborhood]] in the northwest portion of [[the Bronx]] in [[New York City]]. Riverdale contains the northernmost point in New York City. ==History== [[Image:Bell Tower A-1.JPG|thumb|right|Bell Tower Park in Riverdale]] Riverdale was a 19th-century estate district where many of Manhattan's moguls built their country estates. At the turn of the century, the new popularity of rail commuting meant that wealthy businessmen made Riverdale their year-round residence. The [[Fieldston, Bronx|Fieldston]] neighborhood, because it is owned by a private association, is a particularly intact example of a turn-of-the century upper class suburb. The Hudson Hill neighborhood retains many of its historic mansions. Riverdale's elite private schools and historic churches also reflect this past. As the 20th century progressed, apartment buildings and smaller houses were added to the neighborhood, although Riverdale continues to maintain its character as a relatively affluent enclave in the city of New York. The rich history of Riverdale has led to the creation of the Riverdale Historic District. The exact area is bound roughly by 252nd and 254th Streets and Palisade and Independence Avenues. Leland Weintraub, the commissioner who moved for the district's creation, noted that "most of the features commonly associated with the American romantic suburb of the mid-19th century," including "a picturesque site, landscaping and architecture; connection to the city by accessible transportation and a layout adapted to the topography" are present in the area. In May 2009, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] ran a sting operation to prevent a bombing plot in which two Riverdale synagogues were the suggested targets. This followed the [[1989 firebombing of the Riverdale Press]]. On July 26, 2010, the [[National Weather Service]] confirmed that an EF1 tornado hit Riverdale the day before. There were no fatalities, but 7 people were injured. == Geography == Riverdale covers about three square miles in area. Riverdale has one of the highest elevations in New York City, affording it spectacular views of the [[Empire State Building]], [[George Washington Bridge]], [[Hudson River]] and [[New Jersey Palisades]]. It is also remarkable for the numerous parks and expanses of lush greenery and original forest that overwhelm its hilly, serene landscape. It is bordered on the north by the city of [[Yonkers]]; to the east by [[Van Cortlandt Park]], the [[Kingsbridge, Bronx|Kingsbridge]] section of the Bronx and the [[Marble Hill]] section of Manhattan; to the west by the [[Hudson River]]; and to the south by the [[Harlem River]], which creates a small geographic barrier between Riverdale and upper Manhattan. The subsections of Riverdale are: *'''[[Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx|Spuyten Duyvil]]''' / '''South Riverdale''' (Riverdale below West 232nd Street) *'''Central Riverdale''' (The "downtown" of Riverdale – from Manhattan College Parkway to West 232nd Street and from the [[Henry Hudson Parkway]] to Riverdale Avenue and Waldo Avenue) *'''[[Fieldston, Bronx|Fieldston]]''' (Riverdale south and east of the [[Henry Hudson Parkway]], north of Manhattan College Parkway and west of Tibbett Avenue) *'''[[North Riverdale, Bronx|North Riverdale]]''' (Riverdale above West 254th Street) The leafy, scenic enclave of [[Fieldston, Bronx|Fieldston]], a private community, was designated as an historic district by the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] in 2006. == Demographics == As of the 2000 census, there were 47,850 people residing in Riverdale. The population density was 19,997 per square mile (7,724/km²). The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 78.74% [[White American|White]] (71.89% White Non-Hispanic), 5.36% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 7.66% [[African American|Black]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.85% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.18% from two or more races. Of those, 13.38% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] of any race. Fully 24.15% of the population was foreign born; of this, 51.76% came from Europe, 22.92% from Latin America, 21.71% from Asia and 3.61% from other parts of the world. Riverdale is well-known for its large Jewish, Irish and Russian populations. With a median home value of $1,921,122, Riverdale is the most expensive Bronx neighborhood and is considered one of the most sought-after residential neighborhoods in New York City. Riverdale is known for its relative lack of crime, having the lowest crime rate in the Bronx. == Cityscape == Riverdale's [[ZIP code]]s are 10463 and 10471. While 10471 is entirely in Riverdale, 10463 also covers the adjacent neighborhoods of [[Kingsbridge, Bronx|Kingsbridge]] and [[Marble Hill, Manhattan|Marble Hill]]. Housing in Riverdale ranges from multi-story apartment buildings dating from the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Century Building, 3333 Henry Hudson Parkway, and 555 Kappock Street to large, architecturally distinguished mansions built in the early 20th century, mostly in Georgian- and Tudor-revival styles, which recall scenes of "rural Connecticut" rather than the city. A large percentage of Riverdale apartment buildings have doormen on staff. Riverdale is also home to the modernist landmark Saul Victor house, designed by [[Ferdinand Gottlieb]] in 1967. Other famous mansions in the Hudson Hill neighborhood include: Greyston (1864), Alderbrook (1880), Stonehurst (1861) and Oaklawn (1863). Since 2005, Central Riverdale has experienced a building boom with the addition of many mid- and high-rise condominium buildings. In August 2008, [[Columbia University]] purchased an almost-completed apartment building by Henry Hudson Parkway for use as faculty housing. In 1974, a large, fortress-like residential compound and school was established in North Riverdale by the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the United Nations (now the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN) to house diplomats and their families. The 20-story building was constructed from the top down, with the upper floors built first. Administratively, Riverdale is part of Community Board 8. [[Wave Hill (New York)|Wave Hill]], a combination botanical garden and outdoor art gallery, is located in the so-called [[Hudson Hill, Bronx|Estate Area]] overlooking the Hudson River. Two weekly newspapers, the ''[[Riverdale Press]]'' and the ''[[Riverdale Review]]'', focus on news of interest to residents of the neighborhood. [[Gaelic Park]], the headquarters of the [[New York GAA]], is where [[Gaelic football]] and [[hurling]] are played in the New York metropolitan area. It is located at West 240th Street. == Education == The public schools are a part of the [[New York City Department of Education]]. The public elementary schools are the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24) and the Robert J. Christen School (P.S. 81). The public middle school and high school is M.S./H.S 141, the [[Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy]]. Nearby high schools that also serve the community include the [[Bronx High School of Science]] and John F. Kennedy High School. Riverdale is home to three top-tier private schools ([[Horace Mann School|Horace Mann]], [[Riverdale Country School|Riverdale Country]], and [[Ethical Culture Fieldston School|Fieldston]], all members of the [[Ivy Preparatory School League]]) and two Roman Catholic colleges (The [[College of Mount Saint Vincent]] and [[Manhattan College]]). The [[Academy for Jewish Religion (New York)|Academy for Jewish Religion]] is one of two similarly named transdenominational rabbinical schools, the other located in Los Angeles, [[California]]. Two important institutions of higher education are located in Riverdale. [[Manhattan College]], a co-educational Catholic College with education in the Lasalian tradition and the [[College of Mount Saint Vincent's]] in North Riverdale. The late twentieth century increase in the Jewish population of the neighborhood has meant that Riverdale is now home to top-ranked [[Jewish day school]]s, the [[SAR Academy]], a elementary school, and the [[SAR High School]], as well as the [[Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni]] and Yeshiva Ohavei Torah of Riverdale. Kinneret Day School is a private Jewish day school in Spuyten Duyvil, serving grades K through 8 in addition to pre-school. Catholic elementary schools in the area are St. Gabriel's School and [[St. Margaret of Cortona School]], where President [[John F. Kennedy]] received his First Holy Communion. Also in the area are several pre-schools including the Riverdale Temple Nursery School, Spuyten Duyvil Preschool, Kinneret Day School, SAR Academy (Early Learning Center) Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center, and the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School. ==In popular culture== Riverdale has oft been cited in literature, film and television. Exteriors of many of Riverdale's locations have been used in both television and movie production *In ''[[On the Road]]'', Riverdale-educated [[Jack Kerouac]] writes about getting off at a subway stop in Riverdale: "Filled with dreams of what I'd do in Chicago, in Denver, and then finally in San Fran, I took the [[1 (New York City Subway service)| Seventh Avenue Subway]] to the end of the line at [[Van Cortlandt Park – 242nd Street (IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line)| 242nd Street]], and there took a trolley into Yonkers; in downtown Yonkers I transferred to an outgoing trolley and went to the city limits on the east bank of the Hudson River." *[[Elia Kazan]]'s 1961 classic ''[[Splendor in the Grass]]'' starring [[Natalie Wood]] and [[Warren Beatty]] included several high school scenes shot at the elite [[Horace Mann School]], such as a post-party scene outside Horace Mann's Prettyman Gymnasium. *In 1938's ''[[Bringing Up Baby]]'', [[Katharine Hepburn]] and [[Cary Grant]]'s characters visit a Riverdale estate owned by the fictional "Peabody" family *A place called "Riverdale" is the setting for the [[Archie Comics]]. Its exact geographical location is not specified, however the name is likely inspired by the Riverdale, Bronx since one of the comic book founders, [[John L. Goldwater]] attended Riverdale's [[Horace Mann School]] *Much of [[Woody Allen]]'s film ''[[Husbands and Wives]]'' takes place at the Riverdale residence of characters Jack and Sally *''[[Law & Order]]'' was regularly shot and set in Riverdale *In [[Spike Lee]]'s 2002 film ''[[25th Hour]]'', [[Rosario Dawson]]'s character Naturelle snaps at [[Edward Norton]]'s character Monty, "What, I can't be from Riverdale?" *In [[Martin Scorsese]]'s 1973 drama ''[[Mean Streets]]'', mobsters swindle a group of Riverdale teens trying to buy fireworks *In the 2005 biopic ''[[Good Night, and Good Luck]]'', [[George Clooney]]'s character [[Fred W. Friendly]] states that he and his family are relocating to a "nice house in Riverdale" *On television's ''[[Mad Men]]'', [[Joan Holloway]] reveals that she and her husband are considering relocating to Riverdale, explaining, "It's close to Columbia Presbyterian. Plus, Greg wants a yard" *In the 2004 film ''[[Secret Window]]'' Mort Rainey's ex-wife lives in Riverdale, New York; several camera shots show the [[Henry Hudson Parkway]] and glimpses of Riverdale *[[Tom Wolfe]]'s New York City-based bestseller ''[[The Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' includes many references to Riverdale *In the 2010 romantic drama ''[[Blue Valentine]]'', [[Michelle Williams (actress)|Michelle Williams]]'s character is encouraged to work in Riverdale *In the bestselling novel ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (novel)|The Devil Wears Prada]]'', [[Miranda Priestly]]'s twin daughters attend the [[Horace Mann School]] in Riverdale ==Notable natives and residents== * [[Anahid Ajemian]] (born 1924) Concert violinist, co-founder of The Composers String Quartet * [[Robert Alfano]] (born 1941) physicist, inventor, discovered supercontinuum * [[Sean Altman]] (born 1961) musician, songwriter and founder of [[Rockapella]]. * [[William Henry Appleton]] (1814–1899), publisher, lived at [[Wave Hill (New York)|Wave Hill]]. * [[George Avakian]] (born 1919) noted Jazz producer and innovator * [[Hannelore Baron]] (1926–1987), collage and assemblage artist. * Ray Barretto, bandleader and conga player, the "godfather of Latin jazz," lived at 2390 Palisades Ave. * [[Béla Bartók]] (1881–1945), composer and pianist, lived at 3242 Cambridge Avenue. * [[Rudolf Bing]] (1902–1997), former General Manager of the [[Metropolitan Opera]]. lived at the Hebrew Home for the Aged from 1989 until his death. * [[Ruby Braff]] (1927-2003), jazz trumpeter and cornetist, lived on Hudson Manor Terrace. * [[Jordan Bratman]], music producer and ex-husband of [[Christina Aguilera]] grew up in the Fieldston section of Riverdale * [[Jonathan Brewster Bingham]] (1914–1986), member of the House of Representatives for Riverdale and other sections of the Bronx from 1965 to 1983, for whom a segment of Independence Avenue north of 5000 Independence Avenue, his home with June Rossbach Bingham (later June Bingham Birge,) has been named. * [[Brian Curtin Patterson]], (born 1977) entrepreneur and founder of Java Ads, lives at Fieldston Plaza * [[June Bingham Birge]] (1919–2007), author and playwright. * [[Ron Blomberg]] (born 1948), first [[Designated Hitter]] in baseball history, former NY Yankee, lived at the Whitehall (3333 Henry Hudson Parkway). *[[Ted Brown (radio)|Ted Brown]] (1924–2005), charismatic radio personality, worked at several stations in New York City including WMGM, WNEW and WNBC. * [[Chris Chambliss]] (born 1948), former Yankee first baseman and hitting coach. * [[Ronni Chasen]], Hollywood publicist, murder victim * [[Kevin Collins (American actor)|Kevin Collins]], actor * [[Yvonne De Carlo]] (1922–2007), movie and television actress, lived at the Whitehall.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Joey Donovan]], (1967–, birth name Joey Reynolds), founder and president of [[Ad Astra Radio]]; nationally broadcast radio talk show host, lived at 2800–2810 Bailey Avenue from 1967–75.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Bill Evans]], jazz pianist, played with Miles Davis and led a famous trio with [[Scott LaFaro]] (bass) and [[Paul Motian]] (drums). * [[Seth Farber]], rabbi and historian. * [[Fernando Ferrer]] (born 1950), former Bronx [[Borough President]]. * [[Ella Fitzgerald]] (1917–1996), jazz singer, lived at the Colored Orphan Asylum in Riverdale. * [[Baron ambrosia|Justin Fornal]] a.k.a "[[Baron Ambrosia]]", film director * [[Julio Franco]] (born 1958), former New York Mets first basemen, lived in the Century.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Sidney Frey]] (1920–1968), [[Audio Fidelity Records]], producer of the first stereo record, lived at Highpoint. * [[Fred W. Friendly]] (1915–1998), former president of [[CBS News]], lived at 4614 Fieldston Road. *[[Lou Gehrig]] (1903–1941), [[New York Yankees]] baseball star, lived and died at 5204 Delafield Avenue. * [[Jordan Gelber]], actor who inaugurated the role of "Brian" in the [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] production of ''[[Avenue Q]]''. * [[Blu Greenberg]] (born 1936), writer specializing in [[Modern Orthodox Judaism]] and women's issues. * [[Irving Greenberg]] (born 1933), Modern Orthodox rabbi Jewish-American scholar and author. * [[Desmond Harrington]] (born 1976), actor.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Nat Holman]] (1896–1995), Hall of Fame basketball player and [[CCNY]] coach; lived at the Hebrew Home for the Aged. * [[Charles Evans Hughes]], III(1915–1985), architect. * H. Stuart Hughes (1916–1999), professor and activist. * Richard Joel (born 1950), President of [[Yeshiva University]]. * [[Laura Kam]] (born 1958), Israel advocate, Senior Adviser at the [[Israel Project]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} * [[Eric Kandel]] (born 1929), Columbia University neuroscientist, winner of the Nobel Prize for his work on learning and memory. *[[Eunice Kennedy Shriver]] (1921-2009), member of the [[Kennedy Family]], founder of the [[Special Olympics]] * [[Joan Bennett Kennedy]] (born 1936), spouse of Senator [[Ted Kennedy]]. * [[John F. Kennedy]] (1917–1963), U.S. President, lived at 5040 Independence Avenue as a child *[[Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.]] (1888-1969), patriarch of the [[Kennedy Family]], US Ambassador to the UK, [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC]] Chairman *[[Kathleen Kennedy Cavendish]] (1920-1948), Marchionness of Hartington, member of the [[Kennedy Family]] *[[Robert F. Kennedy]] (1925-1968), U.S. Senator, Attorney General and Presidential Candidate * [[Bernard Kerik]] (born 1955), former [[New York City Police Commissioner]]. * [[Theodore Kheel]], labor lawyer. * [[G. Oliver Koppell]] (born 1940), former New York State Attorney General and current member of the [[New York City Council]]. * [[Fiorello H. La Guardia]] (1882–1947), [[Mayor of New York City]] during the 1930s and 1940s. He lived at 5020 Goodridge Avenue. *[[John L. Lahey]] (born 1946), president of [[Quinnipiac University]]. *[[Christopher Lehmann-Haupt]] (born 1934), journalist, critic and novelist. *[[Timothy "Speed" Levitch]] (born 1970), tour guide and voice actor. * [[Jacob Lew|Jacob "Jack" J. Lew]], (born 1955) former Director of the U.S. [[United States Office of Management and Budget|OMB]], and now [designate for] [[federal government of the United States|U.S.]] [[Deputy Secretary of State]] * [[Sal Maglie]] (1917–1992), pitcher who played for the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]], [[New York Giants]], and [[New York Yankees]] during his career. * [[Willie Mays]] (born 1931), baseball star, lives at The Whitehall. * [[Sean Murray]] Tyndall legend and former street soldier loyal to the infamous [[Don Cuddles]] (El Padrino) Currently treasurer for the Riverdale chapter of Red Neck Golf USA * [[Tim Morehouse]], Olympic fencer. * [[Tracy Morgan]] (born 1968), starred on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' and appears in ''[[30 Rock]]'', lived at the Century. * [[Elie Nadelman]] (1882–1946), Polish/American sculptor lived at the Alderbrook Estate on Independence Avenue near Wave Hill. * [[Philip Nadelman]] (born 1955), accomplished songwriter and artist lives on Johnson Avenue, he is the grandson of Elie Nadelman the artist.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} * [[George Walbridge Perkins]] (1862–1920), first president of the [[Palisades Interstate Park Commission]]. *[[Jennifer Raab]], president of [[Hunter College]]. * [[Ed Rendell]] (born 1944), [[Governor of Pennsylvania]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} * [[Sugar Ray Robinson]] (1921–1989), said to be "pound for pound the best" boxer in history. * [[Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.]] (1831–1878), banker and father of the U.S. President. * [[Jonathan Rosenblatt]], Rabbi of the [[Riverdale Jewish Center]] * [[David Shapiro (poet)|David Shapiro]] (born 1947), poet and literary critic. * [[Carly Simon]] (born 1945), singer/songwriter, lived in Fieldston. * [[Joanna Simon (singer)|Joanna Simon]] (born 1940), Mezzo-soprano. * [[Lucy Simon]] (born 1943), composer. * [[Richard L. Simon]] (1899–1960), co-founder of [[Simon & Schuster]]. *[[Regina Spektor]] (born 1980), singer/songwriter grew up in Riverdale and graduated from [[SAR Academy]] * [[Eliot Spitzer]] (born 1959), former Governor and Attorney General of New York, was born in Riverdale and graduated from the [[Horace Mann School]]. * [[Ed Sullivan]] (1901–1974), television personality, lived at the Whitehall.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Billy Taylor]] (1921–2010), American jazz giant * [[U Thant]] (1909–1974), former [[United Nations Secretary-General]]. *[[Kool Keith]] Thornton (born 1964), prolific hip-hop artist and founding member of the [[Ultramagnetic MCs]]. * [[Richard Tofel]], president and CEO of the [[International Freedom Center]]. * [[Arturo Toscanini]] (1867–1957), Conductor, lived at Wave Hill. * [[Mark Twain]] (1835–1910), author, lived at Wave Hill from 1901 to 1903. * [[Steven Tyler]] (born 1948), American musician and songwriter ([[Aerosmith]]), lived in Netherland Gardens.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} * [[Abe Vigoda]] (born 1921), movie and television actor.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} *[[Rebecca Walker]] (born 1969), writer and daughter of "[[The Color Purple]]" author [[Alice Walker]], spent much of her youth in Riverdale, attending the [[Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy]] * [[Alexander S. Webb]] (1835–1911), [[Union Army]] general who was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]]. * [[Joseph H. H. Weiler]] (born 1951), Joseph Straus Professor of Law and European Union Jean Monnet Chair at [[New York University School of Law]]. * [[Avi Weiss]] (born 1944), activist [[Modern Orthodox]] Rabbi. * [[Rosalyn Sussman Yalow]] (born 1921), Nobel Laureate. ==Museums== * The [[Derfner Judaica Museum]] is a museum of Jewish art. * [[Wave Hill]], former residence of [[Mark Twain]] amongst others, is a botanical garden featuring two preserved historic mansions. It has exhibit spaces with a rotating series of art exhibitions, and performance spaces with a noted series of concerts. == Transportation == [[File:Riverdale train station.jpg|thumb|The Riverdale train station on the Metro-North Railroad]] The [[Van Cortlandt Park – 242nd Street (IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line)|Van Cortlandt Park – 242nd Street]] [[terminal station]] of the [[IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS Broadway-Seventh north}} train) of the [[New York City Subway]] is located at the intersection of 242nd Street and [[Broadway (New York City)|Broadway]]. The tracks and stations of the line are elevated along Broadway in Kingsbridge. Riverdale is accessible from Kingsbridge and from Inwood by city bus lines that run throughout the Riverdale area. [[Metro-North Railroad|Metro-North commuter railroad service]] is available at the [[Spuyten Duyvil (Metro-North station)|Spuyten Duyvil]] station on the [[Hudson Line (Metro-North)|Hudson Line]], located underneath the [[Henry Hudson Parkway]] and alongside the shore of the Harlem River at Edsall Avenue. Hudson Line service is also available at the [[Riverdale (Metro-North station)|Riverdale]] station, located between West 254th Street and West 255th Street. Metro-North commuting time from the Spuyten Duyvil station to [[Grand Central Terminal]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]] is around 22 minutes. [[Manhattan]] can also be reached by [[MTA Bus Company]]'s (formerly [[Liberty Lines Express|Liberty Lines]]) [[express bus|express routes]]. By car, Riverdale is commonly reached by the Henry Hudson Parkway (Route 9A), which bisects much of the neighborhood. This major thoroughfare connects it to [[Manhattan]] over the [[Henry Hudson Bridge]] to the south. One can also drive between Manhattan and Riverdale via the [[Broadway Bridge (Manhattan)|Broadway Bridge]], which is on Broadway, by the Harlem River. ==Fire department== The Riverdale section of the Bronx is protected by the [[FDNY]] Fire Station # 52 or Engine 52/Ladder 52, located at 4550 Henry Hudson Parkway East in Central Riverdale. Engine 52/Ladder 52 is the only firehouse in the Riverdale Section and the most northern fire station in the [[FDNY]]. Also, the companies of Engine and Ladder 52 are the second of two fire companies where the engine company and the ladder company each have the same number, the other being Engine and Ladder 10 on Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan. Engine Company 52 currently operates a 2003 Seagrave Commander II Custom 1000/500 Pumper Engine and Ladder Company 52 currently operates a 2006 Seagrave Commander II Custom 100' Rear-Mount Aerial Ladder Truck. ==Churches and synagogues== Due to its large and diverse Jewish population, synagogues slightly outnumber churches in Riverdale. Houses of worship include: {{Div col|3}} * Church of the Visitation * [[Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale]] * [[Hebrew Institute of Riverdale]] *[[Edgehill Church at Spuyten Duyvil]] * Congregation Tehillah * [[Riverdale Jewish Center]] * Young Israel of Riverdale * Young Israel Ohab Tzedek * [[Riverdale Temple]] * Riverdale Presbyterian Church * [[St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, Bronx, N.Y.|St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church]] * [[Christ Church Riverdale]] * Saint Margaret of Cortona {{Div col end}} ==2009 bombing plot == :''Main Article [[2009 New York terrorism plot]]'' In May 2009, the [[FBI]] thwarted a terrorist plot to car bomb two local [[synagogue]]s by clandestinely supplying the would-be terrorists with [[blanks]] instead of real [[bomb]]s. ==Community organizations== *Bronx Community Board 8. A group of community members working under the mandate of the City Charter to monitor the delivery of city services, establish budget priorities, and influence land-use decisions. *Riverdale [[Hatzalah]] Volunteer Ambulance Corp. A local volunteer EMS Corp., supported by community donations, that offers fast, reliable medical treatment and transport free of charge. *Riverdale YM-YWHA. A community center for youth, adult and senior activities. ==Arts and culture== *[http://www.hebrewhome.org/derfnerjudaicamuseum.asp Derfner Museum ]: The Derfner Judaica Museum maintains a collection of approximately 1,400 objects used in traditional Jewish ceremonies and rituals, as well as Jewish Art. *[http://www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com Elisa Contemporary Art]: Art consulting services. Representing world-class artists from emerging through late career. ==Kids' after-school activities== Music classes for babies/toddlers/preschoolers *[http://www.riverdalemusictogether.com Music Together] North Riverdale YM-YWHA *Riverdale Jewish Center (RJC) *The Atria *Riverdale Neighborhood House Central Riverdale *[http://www.riverdalekenshikai.com Riverdale Kenshikai Karate]: karate *[http://ny.citysquares.com/bronx/riverdale/sports-recreation/dancing-instruction/sofias-fitness-dance-studio Sophia's Fitness & Dance Studio]: dance classes *[http://www.astralfitness.net/ Astral Fitness]: Tae kwon do. *[http://www.NYPL.org NY Public Library]: books, videos *[http://www.wellness.com/dir/1268954/day-spa/ny/riverdale/spa-at-the-whitehall The Spa at The Whitehall]: swimming *[http://www.wellness.com/dir/1268954/day-spa/ny/riverdale/spa-at-the-whitehall Gymboree at the Whitehall]: kids gymnastics *[http://www.michelecompa.com/ Michele Compa Dance & Exercise Center]: dance and gymnastics South Riverdale *[http://www.aquabilitieswithjennifer.com/ Aquabilities With Jennifer]: Year-round swimming lessons, swim team, aquatic therapy *[http://www.tcr-nyc.com TCR-The Club of Riverdale]: tennis, swimming, basketball, indoor gym sports *[http://www.taekwondowarriorsny.com Taekwondo Warriors - Martial Arts Academy]: Olympic Style Taekwondo North Riverdale *[http://riverdaley.org/ Riverdale YM-YWHA]: wide array of activities. Riverdale Y has an official afterschool program with bus transportation from all the schools in Riverdale.[http://riverdaley.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=AfterSchoolPrograms&category=children&submenu=children] *[http://www.wavehill.org Wave Hill]: tours, art classes, beautiful garden *[http://www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com Elisa Contemporary Art]: Representing world-class artists from emerging through late career. Art consulting services. ==External links== {{Portal|New York City}} *[http://www.riverdaleonline.org/ Riverdale Neighborhood House] *[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/realestate/24livi.html New York Times: Riverdale, Changing Skyline Beckons Buyers ] *[http://www.riverdaley.org/ Riverdale YM-YWHA] *[http://www.riverdalekidz.com/ RiverdaleKidz.com] *[http://www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com/ ElisaContemporary Art – Riverdale's only Art Contemporary Art Gallery] {{Bronx}} {{coord missing|New York City}}