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Volume XX • Number 44 • October 31 - Nov. 6, 2013 •
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A horse is a horse, of course, of course: Unless the horse is an Oliver Koppell pony By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Are there pony rides in Riverdale’s future? City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell has succeeded in convincing the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation to include the provision of pony rides as a requirement for vendors in its forthcoming request for proposal for the renovation, operation and maintenance of Van Cortlandt Park’s riding stables. Koppell has been concerned that although the park’s Riverdale Equestrian Centre occupies 21 acres, it offers few affordable amenities to the public. The councilman suggested that of-
fering pony rides and trail rides would better utilize such a large area. The parks department said it will give preference to proposals that include a commitment to rehabilitate the VCP bridle paths so that trail rides from the stables can resume as a park amenity. “It has long troubled me that the public did not benefit from the large space occupied by the Riverdale Equestrian Centre in Van Cortlandt Park, and it gives me great satisfaction to hear that the new RFP will reflect my suggestions for increased services to the public,” Koppell said.
The Putnam Trail controversy crosses city line into Yonkers
By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is still waiting to hear from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation on whether it can proceed to upgrade the Putnam Trail in Van Cortlandt Park as planned. The mile-and-a-half trail follows the path of a former railway, connecting to the South County Trail through Westchester and the North County Trail that ex-
tends into Putnam County for a continuous wooded path that runs for around 40 miles. The trail north of Van Cortlandt Park is paved, mainly with asphalt, and is enjoyed by hikers and cyclists alike. The parks department, after determining that its plan would have no negative environmental impact on the Putnam Trail—including on the wetland area it crosses— Continued on Page 3
City Councilman Oliver Koppell has made the future of the Van Cortlandt Park stables a major part of his agenda as his three terms in the City Council draw to a close.
Diaz unveils 3rd Bronx Restaurant Week By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER It wasn’t quite noon, but elected officials were ready to sample steak, fried calamari,
The South County Trail, paved with asphalt, links with the Putnam Trail at the north end of Van Cortlandt Park. Photo available at Rails-to-Trailsconservancy/trailink.com.
shrimp, stuffed mushrooms and traditionally crafted Bronx Brewery pale ale at Jake’s Steak House last week to kick off the third annual “Savor The Bronx” Restaurant Week. From November 4 through November 15 (actually, nearly two weeks), at least three dozen of the borough’s eateries will offer special deals, hoping not only to promote their own establishments but also to lure the uninitiated into The Bronx—a new frontier for foodies. “When you think of The Bronx, you think of seafood at City Island, you think of Italian food on Arthur Avenue. But forget about Peter Luger’s—we’re right here in my favorite steak house in New York City,” Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said. “Our diversity is our strength, so we have diversity in our cuisine—we have Indian food, Mexican food, Puerto Rican and Dominican food. We want epicureans, either from The Bronx or from beyond
our borders, to come in and take part in this wonderful, wonderful week.” Jake’s, a Riverdale haunt for nearly eleven years, will offer a 15 percent discount on dinners. The menu features pasta specials, fish dishes and salads in addition to steak. “All the workers are local, so there’s a real Bronx vibe,” manager James Downey said. “We’ve got a lot of really good restaurants in The Bronx, and not a lot of people know about it,” Bronx Tourism Council executive director Olga Luz Tirado said. “We’re taking Restaurant Week and making it bigger and better every year.” Can discounts make The Bronx a culinary destination? “Foodies will go anywhere for a good deal,” Diaz said. Restaurant Week is dished up by the Bronx Tourism Council and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. For a list of participating restaurants, visit savorthebronx.com.