Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30.

 

A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood.

 

She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee. Stronczer is also a member of the 52nd Precinct Community Council, and is a board member of both the Bedford Park Multi‐Service Center and the West Bronx Housing and Resource Center.

 

Gardens are also important to the Stagg Group which has been developing properties throughout the Bronx for over 20 years. Opening this summer is its property at 150 Van Cortlandt Avenue, a structure designed to include an exterior garden space for people to enjoy as they walk by, or to use as the perfect location for a photo opportunity.

 

During a recent ceremony organized by the Group, Stronczer was honored and presented with a plaque in her name that will be a permanent fixture in the Van Cortlandt Garden. “I appreciate this garden being named in my honor,” she said. Mark Stagg is CEO and Founder of the Group and paid tribute to Stronczer’s years of service.

 

“One of the things she’s known for as a force on the community board is green in the City, green in the neighborhood, and I think there is no better way to honor that activism and commitment to the community than a garden with a plaque in her name,” he said.

 

Stagg noted that he and Stronczer share a similar passion for green spaces and indicated that wherever he has the opportunity, he incorporates green spaces into his building designs. Indeed, each Stagg property offers design features that make living in them a warm and enjoyable experience – from game rooms, lounges and gyms to beautiful gardens – the buildings invite you in.

 

For her part, Stronczer commended Stagg Group’s green approach to construction. “It is great to see the Stagg Group adding greenery to their projects. Since Mark Stagg was the first developer to build a residential project on the newly rezoned Webster Avenue, his taking the lead in softening the appearance of his buildings is a step in the right direction.”

 

Stronczer added that most of the older buildings in the area, both the Art Decos and the pre-war buildings, were constructed with some type of shrubs or planters. “May this garden be the start of many more green spaces being added to the neighborhood,” she said.