Morris Park, Bronx
Encyclopedia
Morris Park is a neighborhood in the Bronx
borough of New York City
(Northeastern United States
). The neighborhood is part of Community Board 11
in the East Bronx
. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: Pelham Parkway
to the north, the Amtrak
Northeast Corridor
tracks to the east and south, and Bronxdale-Muliner Avenues to the west. It borders the neighborhoods of Van Nest to its southwest and Indian Village to its northeast. Williamsbridge Road and Morris Park Avenue are the primary thoroughfares through Morris Park. The local subway is the IRT Dyre Avenue Line
, operating along Esplanade. Zip codes include 10461 and 10462. The area is patrolled by the 49th Precinct located at 2121 Eastchester Road. The neighborhood has a large Italian American
population.
, who built the Morris Park Racecourse
, which existed from 1889 until 1910. In 1890 the Morris Park Racecourse hosted the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, which continued to be run there until 1905. The track was later used for auto racing and the first public air show. After a 1910 fire the property was divided into lots for the current neighborhood. Many streets in Morris Park are named after mayors of New York City from the 18th and 19th centuries.
neighborhood, the residents have close ties to their heritage. With Italy
’s World Cup
victory in 2006, over 30,000 Italians flocked to the neighborhood for an all-day party. Since then, Morris Park has gained a rival reputation with Arthur Avenue for the true Bronx Italian-American neighborhood. The Bronx Columbus Day Parade is held in Morris Park, an event that both former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have attended in recent years. Morris Park has one of the highest Italian populations in the city, along with Bensonhurst and Staten Island
.
holiday. The parade begins on the intersection of Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road. The parade route turns left on Williamsbridge Road and ends at Pelham Parkway South. The reviewing stand, where the parade's dignitaries such as local politicians, civic and business leaders, and the parade's Grand Marshall sit, is located on Williamsbridge Road between Lydig and Neill avenues. Past Grand Marshal
s include actor Tony LoBianco, television personality Regis Philbin
, and Yankee first baseman Joe Pepitone
.
, Jacobi Medical Center
, and the Jack D. Weiler Hospital division of Montefiore Medical Center
are all located on the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Matthews Park, Van Nest Lanes (a bowling alley), The 24 Hour Store, St. Clare of Assisi School, St. Francis Xavier School; whose Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Bronx Championship in '98. Our Saviour Lutheran School, P.S. 83; whose Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Bronx championship in 2006-2007, and most notably P.S. 108 which has been rated as one of the top schools in the Bronx for its academic achievement and performance. The neighborhood is also home to Bronx Psychiatric Center and Calvary Hospital.
, a socially-conservative and law and order Democrat. Republican State Senators such as John D. Calandra
and Guy Velella
drew extensive support from Morris Park residents. In his three mayoral campaigns in 1989, 1993, and 1997, Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican, carried Morris Park by substantial margins. In recent years, changing demographics altered the neighborhood's political landscape. State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, a moderate Democrat and lifelong Morris Park resident, enjoys the popularity with Morris Park residents that both Calandra and Velella previously enjoyed. Naomi Rivera
, a liberal Democrat, currently represents Morris Park in the New York State Assembly and her district office is located in the area. James Vacca
, a moderate Democrat, represents the neighborhood in the New York City Council.
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
borough of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
). The neighborhood is part of Community Board 11
Bronx Community Board 11
Bronx Community Board 11 is a local government unit of the City of New York , which encompasses the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bronx Park East, Indian Village, Morris Park, Olinville, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Van Nest and Westchester Heights in the borough of the Bronx...
in the East Bronx
East Bronx
The East Bronx is that part of the New York City borough of the Bronx which lies east of the Bronx River; this roughly corresponds to the eastern half of the borough...
. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: Pelham Parkway
Pelham Parkway
The Bronx and Pelham Parkway is a parkway in the borough of the Bronx in New York City. Despite the parkway moniker, Pelham Parkway is a local street, with two main roadways , and two service roads. Like other parkways in New York City, commercial traffic is disallowed, and is redirected to the...
to the north, the Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
tracks to the east and south, and Bronxdale-Muliner Avenues to the west. It borders the neighborhoods of Van Nest to its southwest and Indian Village to its northeast. Williamsbridge Road and Morris Park Avenue are the primary thoroughfares through Morris Park. The local subway is the IRT Dyre Avenue Line
IRT Dyre Avenue Line
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line is a New York City Subway rapid transit line as part of the A Division . It is a branch of the IRT White Plains Road Line serving passengers in the northeastern section of the Bronx...
, operating along Esplanade. Zip codes include 10461 and 10462. The area is patrolled by the 49th Precinct located at 2121 Eastchester Road. The neighborhood has a large Italian American
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
population.
History
Morris Park is named after John Albert MorrisJohn Albert Morris
John Albert Morris was an American businessman widely known as the "Lottery King" and a prominent figure in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing...
, who built the Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1889 until 1904. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1895 and later became known as Morris Park...
, which existed from 1889 until 1910. In 1890 the Morris Park Racecourse hosted the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, which continued to be run there until 1905. The track was later used for auto racing and the first public air show. After a 1910 fire the property was divided into lots for the current neighborhood. Many streets in Morris Park are named after mayors of New York City from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Land use and terrain
Morris Park is dominated by one and two family homes of various types. The neighborhood also has several apartment buildings. The total land area is roughly one square mile. The area is low laying and flat.Demographics
Morris Park has a population over 25,000. The neighborhood is a mix of Italian-Americans, Albanians and Hispanics.Italian-American background
As an Italian AmericanItalian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
neighborhood, the residents have close ties to their heritage. With Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
’s World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
victory in 2006, over 30,000 Italians flocked to the neighborhood for an all-day party. Since then, Morris Park has gained a rival reputation with Arthur Avenue for the true Bronx Italian-American neighborhood. The Bronx Columbus Day Parade is held in Morris Park, an event that both former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have attended in recent years. Morris Park has one of the highest Italian populations in the city, along with Bensonhurst and Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
.
Columbus Day Parade
Morris Park is famous for its annual Columbus Day Parade, which began in 1977. It is held on the Sunday before the national Columbus DayColumbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
holiday. The parade begins on the intersection of Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road. The parade route turns left on Williamsbridge Road and ends at Pelham Parkway South. The reviewing stand, where the parade's dignitaries such as local politicians, civic and business leaders, and the parade's Grand Marshall sit, is located on Williamsbridge Road between Lydig and Neill avenues. Past Grand Marshal
Grand Marshal
Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders...
s include actor Tony LoBianco, television personality Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...
, and Yankee first baseman Joe Pepitone
Joe Pepitone
Joseph "Joe" Anthony Pepitone is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder who played the bulk of his career for the New York Yankees. He also played several seasons with the Chicago Cubs and had short stints with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves...
.
Notable locations
Albert Einstein College of MedicineAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine is a graduate school of Yeshiva University. It is a not-for-profit, private, nonsectarian medical school located on the Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus in the Morris Park neighborhood of the borough of the Bronx of New York City...
, Jacobi Medical Center
Jacobi Medical Center
Jacobi Medical Center is a municipal hospital, under the direction of New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, in Morris Park, Bronx, New York located at 1400 Pelham Parkway South; it is the largest Public Hospital in the Bronx with 470+ beds....
, and the Jack D. Weiler Hospital division of Montefiore Medical Center
Montefiore Medical Center
Montefiore Medical Center, in the Bronx, New York, is the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The hospital, named for Moses Montefiore, is one of the 50 largest employers in New York State . In 2011, Montefiore Medical Center was ranked as #6 of the 180 New York City...
are all located on the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Matthews Park, Van Nest Lanes (a bowling alley), The 24 Hour Store, St. Clare of Assisi School, St. Francis Xavier School; whose Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Bronx Championship in '98. Our Saviour Lutheran School, P.S. 83; whose Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Bronx championship in 2006-2007, and most notably P.S. 108 which has been rated as one of the top schools in the Bronx for its academic achievement and performance. The neighborhood is also home to Bronx Psychiatric Center and Calvary Hospital.
Bronx Military Museum
Joseph Garofalo, a World War II veteran, persuaded John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home in Morris Park to display his collection of medals and war memorabilia in what he has christened the Bronx Military Museum. People in the Morris Park neighborhood have contributed the military memorabilia that once belonged to their relatives.Notable residents
- Mary Higgins ClarkMary Higgins ClarkMary Theresa Eleanor Higgins Clark Conheeney , known professionally as Mary Higgins Clark, is an American author of suspense novels...
, best-selling mystery author - Jake LaMottaJake LaMottaGiacobbe LaMotta , better known as Jake LaMotta, nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" and "The Raging Bull", is a former American world middleweight champion boxer...
, former professional boxer and middleweight champion - Guy VelellaGuy VelellaGuy John Velella was a Republican New York State Senator from The Bronx.A political leader, state assemblyman, and state senator for over 30 years, Velella was indicted in 2002 with 25 counts of bribery and conspiracy for allegedly accepting at least $137,000 in exchange for steering public-works...
, former New York State Senator (Republican) and Bronx Republican Chairman - Jeffrey D. Klein, New York State Senator (Democrat)
- Nancy SavocaNancy SavocaNancy Savoca is an American film screenwriter, director, and producer. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she is the daughter of Sicilian and Argentine immigrants Calogero Savoca and Maria Elvira Savoca...
, film director - Anthony RibustelloAnthony RibustelloAnthony Ribustello is an actor and Republican activist. He is perhaps best known for his role as Dante Greco, Tony Soprano's driver on the HBO series, The Sopranos....
, actor - Luis RestoLuis RestoLuis Resto born Luis Edgardo Resto, is a Detroit-based musician, producer and keyboardist who has worked closely with rapper Eminem since his third major-label album The Eminem Show. He is of Puerto Rican descent, with both of his parents from Puerto Rico, and was raised in Detroit , Michigan...
, former welterweight boxer and subject of HBO documentary "Assault in the RingAssault in the RingAssault in the Ring is a 2009 sports documentary film about a controversial boxing match held at Madison Square Garden on June 16, 1983...
" - Cara BuonoCara BuonoCara Buono is an American actress, screenwriter and director, probably best known for her role as Dr. Faye Miller in the fourth season of the AMC drama series Mad Men.-Early life:...
, actress - Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, cast member of Jersey ShoreJersey Shore (TV series)Jersey Shore is an American reality television series that premiered on MTV on December 3, 2009 in the United States. The series follows the lives of eight housemates spending their summer at the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Season 2 followed the cast escaping the cold northeast...
- Abel FerraraAbel FerraraAbel Ferrara is an American film screenwriter and director. He is best known as an independent filmmaker of such films as The Driller Killer , Ms. 45 , King of New York , Bad Lieutenant and The Funeral .-Early life:Ferrara was born in the Bronx of Italian and Irish descent...
, film director
Loreto Park
At present, Loreto Park is undergoing renovation to its main entrance portion which is located on Van Nest Avenue. Councilman James Vacca allocated $500,000 from the City Council for the reconstruction. Some of the additions include a play area for toddlers, wheel-chair accessable equipment and planting beds. New benches, fencing and game tables are also slated to be added to the park. The existing bocce court as well will be renovated. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2012.Morris Park in film
Morris Park can be seen in the following films:- Raging Bull (1980), directed by Martin ScorseseMartin ScorseseMartin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
- True LoveTrue Love (1989 film)True Love is a 1989 American comedy film directed by Nancy Savoca. An unflinching look at the realities of love and marriage which offers no "happily ever after" ending, it won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1989 Sundance Film Festival.-Cast:...
(1989), directed by Nancy SavocaNancy SavocaNancy Savoca is an American film screenwriter, director, and producer. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she is the daughter of Sicilian and Argentine immigrants Calogero Savoca and Maria Elvira Savoca... - Bad LieutenantBad LieutenantBad Lieutenant is a 1992 crime-drama film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Harvey Keitel as the eponymous "bad lieutenant". The screenplay was written by actress-model Zoë Lund. She also played a small role in the film. Lund had been discovered by Ferrara and had starred in his earlier film, Ms...
(1991), starring Harvey KeitelHarvey KeitelHarvey Keitel is an American actor. Some of his most notable starring roles were in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, Ridley Scott's The Duellists and Thelma and Louise, Ettore Scola's That Night in Varennes, Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Jane Campion's The... - Summer of SamSummer of SamSummer of Sam is a 1999 crime-drama based around the Son of Sam serial murders. It was directed and produced by Spike Lee.-Plot:Summer of Sam is the story of a group of people in New York City in the summer of 1977, a time when the headlines were dominated by the Son of Sam serial killer...
(1999), directed by Spike LeeSpike LeeShelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983.... - La Vera Leggenda di Tony Vilar (2006) ("The True Legend of Tony Vilar"), directed by Giuseppe Gagliardi
- Dough Boys (2008), directed by Louis LombardiLouis LombardiLouis Lombardi is an American actor.Lombardi was born in The Bronx, New York City, the son of Louis Lombardi, Sr. On television, Lombardi had a recurring role on The Sopranos as Agent Skip Lipari, and guest starred on such shows as Entourage, Heroes and CSI. He was a cast member of a 1990s...
- Ponies (2010), directed by Nick Sandow
- Gun Hill Road (2011), directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green and starring Esai MoralesEsai MoralesEsai Manuel Morales is an American actor. He is well known for his role as Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. He also appeared in the PBS drama American Family and in the Showtime series Resurrection Blvd.. However, he is best known for his roles as Lt...
- Men in Black IIIMen in Black IIIMen in Black III is an upcoming 3D science fiction comedy film starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones...
(2012)
Transportation
- Bx8: to 225th Street225th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)225th Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in Wakefield, Bronx at the intersection of 225th Street and White Plains Road, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction.This elevated...
2 (White Plains Road) line2 (New York City Subway service)The 2 Seventh Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored red on station signs, route signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line through most of Manhattan....
station or Locust PointLocust Point, BronxLocust Point is a small, peninsular neighborhood in the south eastern portion of the New York City Borough of the Bronx. It is bounded by Harding Avenue on the north, the Throggs Neck Bridge to the east, and Eastchester Bay. The area comprises single-family houses, populated by ethnically Irish,...
(via Williamsbridge Road) - Bx12: to Bay Plaza Shopping CenterBay Plaza Shopping CenterBay Plaza Shopping Center is a shopping center adjacent to Co-op City, in the Bronx, New York. In addition to various department stores and shops, such as JCPenney, Staples Inc., Kmart and Old Navy, it has a multiplex movie theater, several restaurants, a fitness club, and some office space...
or Inwood–207th Street A line station (via Fordham RoadFordham RoadFordham Road is a major street in The Bronx borough of New York City. It runs east-west from the Harlem River to Bronx Park.This street runs through the neighborhood of University Heights, divides Fordham from Fordham-Bedford and finally runs along the northern border of Belmont...
–Pelham ParkwayPelham ParkwayThe Bronx and Pelham Parkway is a parkway in the borough of the Bronx in New York City. Despite the parkway moniker, Pelham Parkway is a local street, with two main roadways , and two service roads. Like other parkways in New York City, commercial traffic is disallowed, and is redirected to the...
) - Bx21: to Westchester Square station or Third Avenue–138th Street station (via Boston Road / Morris Park Avenue)
- Bx31: to WoodlawnWoodlawn, BronxWoodlawn is a neighborhood at the very north end of the borough of the Bronx in New York City. Unlike some neighborhoods in New York City, its boundaries are fairly well-defined, as it is bounded by McLean Avenue to the north, which is approximately the New York City / Westchester County line, the...
or Westchester Square station (via Eastchester Road) - Pelham Parkway (IRT Dyre Avenue Line)Pelham Parkway (IRT Dyre Avenue Line)Pelham Parkway is a station on the IRT Dyre Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Pelham Parkway and the Esplanade in the Bronx, it is served by the 5 train at all times.This station was originally opened on May 29, 1912, as an express station of the New York,...
- Morris Park (IRT Dyre Avenue Line)Morris Park (IRT Dyre Avenue Line)Morris Park is a station on the IRT Dyre Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Served by the 5 train, it is located at Paulding Avenue and the Esplanade in Morris Park, Bronx....
- BxM10: express to Midtown Manhattan
- Bee LineBee-Line Bus SystemThe Bee-Line Bus System, branded on the buses in lowercase as the bee-line system, is a bus system serving Westchester County, New York. The system is owned by the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation and operated, on contract , by Yonkers-based Liberty Lines Transit, Inc...
bus routes 60, 61, and 62 to lower Westchester run along Boston Road.
Politics
A reflection of its heavily Italian-American and Catholic population, Morris Park was politically conservative and remained one of the Bronx's few solidly Republican neighborhoods until the 1990s. It was represented in the U.S. Congress from 1953 to 1969 by Paul Fino, a Republican, and them from 1969 to 1988 by Mario BiaggiMario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi is a former U.S. Representative from New York and former New York City police officer. He was elected as a Democrat from The Bronx in New York City...
, a socially-conservative and law and order Democrat. Republican State Senators such as John D. Calandra
John D. Calandra
John D. Calandra, Jr. was a New York State Senator from the Bronx and chairman of the Bronx Republican Party. A lawyer and former United States Attorney, Calandra ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate in 1962 and 1964, losing both times to Democrat Joseph Marine.In 1965, he was elected by...
and Guy Velella
Guy Velella
Guy John Velella was a Republican New York State Senator from The Bronx.A political leader, state assemblyman, and state senator for over 30 years, Velella was indicted in 2002 with 25 counts of bribery and conspiracy for allegedly accepting at least $137,000 in exchange for steering public-works...
drew extensive support from Morris Park residents. In his three mayoral campaigns in 1989, 1993, and 1997, Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican, carried Morris Park by substantial margins. In recent years, changing demographics altered the neighborhood's political landscape. State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, a moderate Democrat and lifelong Morris Park resident, enjoys the popularity with Morris Park residents that both Calandra and Velella previously enjoyed. Naomi Rivera
Naomi Rivera
Naomi Rivera represents District 80 in the New York State Assembly, which encompasses Morris Park, Van Cortlandt Village, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Gardens, and Norwood, among other communities located in The Bronx....
, a liberal Democrat, currently represents Morris Park in the New York State Assembly and her district office is located in the area. James Vacca
James Vacca
James Vacca is a member of the New York City Council and Chair of the Transportation Committee. He represents the Bronx's 13th Council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Throgs Neck, Pelham Bay, Country Club, City Island, Westchester Square, Zerega, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, and...
, a moderate Democrat, represents the neighborhood in the New York City Council.
Businesses
- 900 Park Restaurant
- Ann Clair's Salumeria
- Caputo Jewelers
- Chiariello Jewelers
- Emilio's Pizza
- Enrico's Pastry
- Enzo's Restaurant
- Morris Park Bakery
- Pasta Pasta
- Patricia's
- Scaglione Bakery
- Side Street Sporting Goods
Community
- 49th Precinct
- Community Board #11
- East Bronx History Forum
- The Morris Park Alliance
- The Morris Park Information Network
Further reading
- DiBrino, Nicholas. The History of the Morris Park Racecourse and the Morris Family (1977)