New York real estate: Bedford Park, Bronx

By Kara Warner | Special to amNewYork

March 27, 2008

Real estate along Bedford between Grand Concourse and Valentine Av. (RJ Mickelson / March 26, 2008)

The residents of Bedford Park don't necessarily want people to know about their neighborhood. It's not for lack of pride; quite the opposite. They just want to keep this quiet, working-class enclave all to themselves.

Nestled in the northwest Bronx between the New York Botanical Garden and Lehman College, Bedford Park is a diverse, family-oriented neighborhood.

Like most of the Bronx, Bedford Park was once farmland. The area was developed in 1866, with the construction of the Jerome Park Racecourse, and populated by the Italian and Irish immigrants who worked to convert the racecourse into the Jerome Park Reservoir. Today, the area is largely Hispanic, but also includes other nationalities: Korean, Albanian, African and Indian.

Residents tout the area's convenience and accessibility to Manhattan as Bedford Park's main attractions, along with that strong camaraderie among neighbors.

"There are a lot of small communities within the community," says Fernando Tirado, Community Board 7 district manager. "We have a large family population here and good schools, though the lack of school space has become an issue."

"The face has changed," says longtime resident Raymond Rivera, "But it's still somewhat of a hidden gem. [For the most part,] we live in peace and quiet."

Find it

Bedford Park's boundaries are Mosholu Parkway to the north, Webster Avenue to the east, Bedford Park Boulevard to the south, and Jerome Avenue to the west.

To Play

It's not a hotbed for nighttime activity, but Bedford Park has plenty of pubs and alcohol-free alternatives for fun.

Madden's Pub

This local watering hole (and former speakeasy) has been around for 80 years. Stop in to say hello to owner Jimmy and order a beer, which he serves in perfectly frosted mugs.

27 E. Bedford Park Blvd. 718-364-9877

Shea's Emerald Bar

If the name's not enough to give it away, the shamrock-centric decor of this classic pub should be enough to give away its heritage.

29-60 Jerome Ave. 718-364-9924

Jolly Tinker

Predominately a hang out for the Fordham student set, this bar doesn't have the local flavor of the first two. In addition to the student-heavy patronage, the beer Pong tables might be nice for a walk down memory lane. 387 Bedford Park Blvd. 718-364-8789

Lehman College (CUNY)/Harris Fields

On any given Sunday, the baseball diamonds at Harris Fields are perfect for a picnic lunch and a full day of baseball Little League starts in the a.m., Men's League in the p.m.