The Riverdale Press

Keyword: Van Cortlandt Lake

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Part of the nearly one-mile stretch of unkempt land along the Major Deegan Expressway between Van Cortlandt Park South and West 230th Street, was a railroad line that hauled freight in and out of the city until the early 1980s. For more than a decade, Community Board 8 and other city leaders have wanted to transform that land into a park — maybe even into a brook — but CSX Transportation has remained in the way, refusing to sell the land inexpensively.

After more than a decade of negotiation spanning three mayors and direct involvement from a future U.S. Senate Majority Leader, the stretch of vacant land running along the Major Deegan Expressway south of Van Cortlandt Park may finally be on the verge of selling. more

By MICHAEL HINMAN | 1/24/22

The Berrien family was laid to rest in the Kingsbridge Burial Grounds in Van Cortlandt Park. Nearby were burials for enslaved Africans on land that will finally be consecrated June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

Enslaved African burial ground finally consecrated

It’s no secret the United States was one of many countries practicing slavery centuries ago — and not just in the south. more

By BRENDAN O’SULLIVAN | 6/20/21

The Van Cortlandt House Museum recently opened an exhibit in the attic of its main structure sharing its not-so-pleasant history as slave quarters. It’s part of the Enslaved People Project, an effort from several local groups to shine a light on contributions enslaved people made to shape what is now Van Cortlandt Park.

They built this homestead, but didn’t have a choice

It’s a common misperception of America’s already shameful history of slavery that it only existed south of the Mason-Dixon Line. But Laura Carpenter Myers knows better, and wants to ensure others do, too. more

By ETHAN STARK-MILLER | 4/25/21

Compacted soil, removal of native and invasive plant species alike, and heat radiating from the asphalt are all concerns of Debbi Dolan — a self-proclaimed longtime lover of Van Cortlandt Park — and some of her peers before the Putnam Trail was paved. Many of those concerns are stronger now that the trail has been reopened.

After years of debate, paved Putnam Trail reopens

Design of the new Putnam Trail started in 2008, but that work wouldn’t finish for another decade. Even with that finally done, the city had another obstacle to overcome: money. The paving project, from start to finish, carried a price tag of more than $4 million. more

By KIRSTYN BRENDLEN | 10/18/20

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