By Nancy Vittorini, Board Member, The Nature Preserve of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe     

Oct. 12, 2016:  On Saturday afternoon, October 8, officials, friends, neighbors, and young ladies from Bronxville Brownie Troop #1508 gathered at the corner of Archer and Crawford Roads in The Nature Preserve of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe to honor William J. Murphy, former Bronxville mayor.

A 20-foot hickory tree will be planted at the site of the commemorative ceremony to honor the longtime village resident for his generosity and commitment to both the preserve and the Village of Bronxville. 

Murphy, in addition to numerous public service roles, served as a founding member of The Nature Preserve steering committee and continues guardianship of the property today.

Work began in 2004 with a small group of residents to plan and oversee the transformation of approximately 2.5 acres belonging to the village, turning a former unsightly leaf dump into a beautiful park-like setting filled with indigenous plants and trees for all community residents to enjoy.

Mr. Murphy was instrumental in implementing the many details of the design, which was conceived by Gisolfi and Associates, including the initial work of clearing debris and underbrush. After that, he led the way to install a proper irrigation system and oversaw the planting of more than a hundred annuals, including bushes for the butterfly garden and a number of flowering trees.  The irrigation system required engineering drawings and proper permits, new land surveys, tapping into the New Rochelle water supply system, a pumping system, an electrical connection with Con Edison, and trenching for the piping to the proper locations.

Mayor Mary Marvin, in presenting the bronze plaque that will be placed by the tree, noted, "From the very beginning of the project, Bill Murphy has given his time, expertise, vision, and generous funds to the preserve and continues to care for this treasured space today, working to ensure its beauty long into the future."

Thanks were also given to Tony and Luigi Casale, who donated the tree and whose firm worked on the original implementation of the Gisolfi landscape design.

Sans Signs, the company that designed and built The Nature Preserve sign on the corner of Crawford and Archer, was also recognized for its participation in creating the bronze plaque, given to the preserve by the Village of Bronxville.

To see more photos of the presentation, click here.

Continued appreciation goes to the many who have contributed over the years to the funds necessary to create and maintain the preserve. Those interested in offering support may send contributions to The Nature Preserve, Village of Bronxville, P.O. Box 325, Bronxville, New York 10708.

Pictured here:  Mayor Mary Marvin with former mayor William Murphy at the tree dedication at the ceremony at The Nature Preserve.

Photo by Nancy Vittorini, Board Member, The Nature Preserve of Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe