New York City Naming 16 Parks After Prominent Black Americans
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - New York City is naming 16 parks for prominent Black Americans, and it's just in time for Juneteenth.
As CBS2's Kiran Dhillon reports, one by one, the names of 16 city parks were unveiled Wednesday.
The unveiling is part of an ongoing initiative by the Parks Department that's meant to honor the Black American experience.
"We had to do something to show solidarity with the Black community and really address some of the systemic racism were experienced all of our lives," said Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.
Silver says, with the help of public input, the department chose several parks to either name or rename after prominent Black individuals with strong ties to the city.
Wednesday's announcement was made at Mullaly Park in the Bronx. It's being renamed after Rev. T Wendell Foster, the first African American from the Bronx elected to City Council. Officials says some parks, like Mullaly, were chosen to rename because of their namesakes have a problematic history. John Mullaly had ties to slavery.
"As our kids walk through this community, they will see our local heroes and know about their history, and know their heroes look like them," said New York state Assembly member Amanda Septimo.
Foster's family says the renaming means a lot.
"The renaming of a park form a person who represented hate to someone who represented love, community and togetherness is quite appropriate," said daughter Helen Diane Foster.
The city says the initiative started last year after the death of George Floyd. It started the process last June and since then it's renamed 28 city parks after Black pioneers or trailblazers.
Many New Yorkers are on board.
"They contribute a lot to our society and especially to this community, and I think it's a nice, pleasant idea," one person said.
"Think it's very cool. Everyone deserves spotlight," said another.
The city plans to broaden the initiative - to rename parks after prominent members of other marginalized groups the future.
Here's the full list of renamed places, with information provided by the Parks Department.
MANHATTAN:
54th Street Recreation Center now Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center
Located in the heart of midtown, the 54th Street Recreation Center has been a community staple for years. Now, its name has been formally changed in honor of Constance Baker Motley. Motley, born in 1921, was the first African American woman to become a federal judge. She was a leading jurist and legal advocate during the Civil Rights movement, and the first Black woman to serve as Manhattan Borough President.
Riverside Park at 150th Street now Ralph Ellison Plaza
A long-time resident of West Harlem, Ralph Ellison was a leading novelist, literary critic and scholar best known for his novel Invisible Man. The newly named plaza was already home to a granite block bearing Ellison's name in honor of his legacy.
Harlem Lane Playground now Percy E. Sutton Playground
Percy Sutton was an activist and lawyer during the Civil Rights movement; among his clients he represented Malcolm X. He was also a prominent black politician and businessman who served as Manhattan Borough President for more than a decade from 1966 -1977. Percy Sutton playground is located along the scenic Harlem River Drive.
Hell's Kitchen Park now Lorraine Hansberry Park
Lorraine Hansberry was a playwright and writer who authored "A Raisin in the Sun" and was the first African American female to have a play performed on Broadway. The newly renamed park first opened in 1979 after the community advocated for more recreational space.
BROOKLYN:
Prospect Park Bandshell now Lena Horne Bandshell
With a strong endorsement from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the historic concert venue has been renamed in honor of Lena Horne. Horne was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and was a trailblazing dancer, actress and singer in theater, film and television. She was also active on issues of social justice and civil rights.
Underhill Playground now James Forten Playground
James Forten was a prominent abolitionist and vice president of the Anti-Slavery Society. During the Revolutionary War, he was temporarily imprisoned at Brooklyn's Wallabout Bay near what is today the Navy Yard.
Middleton Playground now Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet Playground
A leading educator and suffragist, Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet was the first Black female principal in the New York City public schools. The playground located in Williamsburg features handball courts, play equipment, and swings. The park also has basketball courts, which are slated for a full reconstruction and are currently in the design phase of the capital process.
BRONX:
Mullaly Park and Recreation Center will soon be Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park & Recreation Center
In response to community requests, Parks plans to formally rename Mullaly Park in honor of Rev. T. Wendell Foster in September 2022 -- in accordance with Parks' policy of naming three years posthumous. Rev. Foster was the pastor of the Christ Church in Morrisania. He was the first black representative from the Bronx in the City Council, where he championed low-income housing and served as long-time chair of the Parks Committee.
St. Mary's Amphitheater now Gil Scott-Heron Amphitheater
Gil Scott-Heron was a pioneering soul and jazz poet, musician, and author. As a young man he attended DeWitt Clinton High School and the Fieldston School in the Bronx. Currently, the renamed amphitheater along with the plaza, pathways and lighting in this area of St. Mary's Park is being renovated through the Anchor Parks Initiative, and the project is slated for completion in the coming fall.
West Bronx Recreation Center now Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) Recreation Center
Born Stokeley Carmichael, Kwame Ture, graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and was a prominent activist and organizer during the Civil Rights era and leader in the Black Power movement.
Morris Garden is now Mabel Hampton Garden
Mabel Hampton was a prominent lesbian activist and dancer during the Harlem Renaissance. She was also a philanthropist and lived with her long-time partner Lillian Foster for decades on 169th Street in the Bronx.
QUEENS:
The Oval in St. Albans Park now Musician's Oval
The oval is named in honor of the numerous notable African Americans and Black luminaries in the jazz world including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Lena Horne. They, among other prominent Black figures, like baseball legends Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, settled in the Addisleigh neighborhood-- an enclave in the St. Albans area of western Queens that is today a landmarked historic district.
Railroad Park now Gwen Ifill Park
Gwen Ifill was born in Jamaica, Queens, and was a leading journalist, television broadcaster, and author. She was the first African American woman to anchor a nationally televised U.S. public affairs program, Washington Week in Review. Later, she co-anchored PBS NewsHour. Gwen Ifill Park is currently undeveloped and there is $21 million in Capital funding to build out this greenspace.
Flushing Bay Promenade now Malcolm X Promenade
This scenic promenade located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is now named in honor of leading Civil Rights activist, African American Muslim leader, and spokesman for the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X. At the time of his assassination, Malcolm X lived with his family in East Elmhurst, Queens.
STATEN ISLAND:
Carlton Park now Harris Brothers Park
Located at Drumgoole Road West, the formerly named Carlton Park is now named in honor of brothers Moses and Sylas Harris. Moses and Sylas Harris were brothers and freed Black farmers who settled the community in southern Staten Island known as Harrisville or Sandy Ground. Last year, Parks renamed Fairview Park the Sany Grounds Woods in honor of the free black settlement where the Harris brothers lived.
Silver Lake Park will now feature Audre Lorde Walk
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian feminist, activist and writer. She lived on Staten Island from 1972-1987, and at the time of her death she was the New York State poet laureate.
Kiran Dhillon contributed to this report.
