Riverdale is the city's largest free parking lot

For years, residents and elected officials have been fighting against unruly vehicle owners who believe Riverdale is the city's largest free parking lot.  

A walk along the north end of Henry Hudson Parkway in Riverdale will reveal a row of cars, campers and even sometimes a boat, that have taken up space for weeks, if not, months. Every now and then you’ll see a tow truck dragging some vehicles away, but the vacancy doesn’t last long, and before you can call 311, the spots are taken up again. Sometimes by the same vehicle!

West of Riverdale Avenue along 247^th Street is another “free parking lot.” According to a resident of the area, a seafoam AMC Rambler with flat tires has sat in the same spot for years. The street is off the beaten path and the spots are for those who live along the block, so it’s easy to miss and also hard to differentiate which cars are abandoned or privately owned. But this only adds to the problem.

Along 235^th Street between Arlington Avenue and Henry Hudson Parkway, a burgundy Chrysler 200 with Texas license plates has sat unmoved for more than a year.

When The Press approached the vehicle, it was covered in dust and pollen and the tires were low on air. After entering the license plates into the nyc.gov website to check for unpaid parking tickets, there were several for the same infraction at the same location – “No parking – Street cleaning.”

The earliest infraction dating back to March 2024, accrued late fees amounting to more than double the original fine. Moreover, the website revealed that only five tickets were issued to the last 14 months.

To give the city the benefit of the doubt, it is possible the vehicle owner may have paid some tickets, but not others. However, that assumption is highly unlikely. 

Workers in the building across from the car confirmed its stationary state over the months and the car has not received a boot, let alone a tow.

Abandoned cars are a constant topic of discussion at the community board meetings and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz continues to have discussions with the local precinct and department of transportation to mitigate the problem, but solutions seem futile.  Long-time Riverdalian, Judi Veder is sick and tired of complaining and has officially thrown in the towel, penning one final letter to the editor where she explains her frustration and exhaustion of complaining on the same issues to no avail.

Why are parking enforcement officers not having these vehicles towed? Is it financially beneficial for the city to keep these abandoned cars on the road in order to continue issuing them tickets? That’s what it seems like and that’s how locals are feeling.

What do individuals need to do to ensure they, not only have sufficient parking for themselves, but also, to not feel like they are foolishly abiding by rules where others get a free pass?

And the issue doesn’t just apply to abandoned cars. Vehicles often park in the Key Food lot overnight and the fire hydrant along Riverdale Avenue near 259^th Street is almost never clear of a parked car.

What gives? The same rules should apply to all.

The city should explain its protocol -- and then follow it consistently -- so that Riverdale's streets can return to what resident’s deserve. If hardworking individuals must go through the rigmarole of having to get their cars out of the pound after an illegal parking job, then those who have abandoned their vehicles should have to do the same. They clearly don’t miss them.