To the Editor:
Dec. 23, 2015: The longer I live here, the more I notice just how much Bronxville packs into its 27,878,400 square feet (that's one square mile).
This is never more evident than at this time of the year when the trees come out--the beautiful, colorful holiday trees.
Not just the impressive conifers in front of village hall or the library. They're great. But for me, what's equally impressive is that from Valley Road to Northway and almost every street in between, Rockefeller Center-worthy trees adorn private homes and yards all across our one-square-mile village.
My sister, who lives in Southern California, comes to visit us at Christmas every year. One of the first things on her list is a drive around the village to "ooh and aah" at this annual jaw-dropping light display (I suppose a light-draped palm tree just doesn't cut it for her).
It feels like every year enormous new "oohs and aahs" are sprouting up all over the village, from the free-form white-lit deciduous trees to the majestic multicolored evergreens.
Maybe there's an unspoken friendly competition between tree owners as to whose light show is the most awe inspiring. With all that goes into this light fantastic, it's no wonder that many stay lit until robins are perched on them.
The biggest square mile on earth? When it comes to mind-boggling holiday trees, it just might be.
Happy Holidays!
Janet Lyons
Bronxville
Pictured here: Lighted tree in Bronxville during the holiday season.
Photo by Janet Lyons
Editor's note: MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.
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.
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