Carl Schurz Park facts for kids
Carl Schurz Park is a 14.9-acre public park in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It was named in 1910 after Carl Schurz, who was born in Germany and served as the Secretary of the Interior. The park is located where many German-American families lived in Yorkville. Inside the park, you will find Gracie Mansion, which is the official home of the Mayor of New York.
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What Can You See at Carl Schurz Park?
Carl Schurz Park offers amazing views of the East River. You can see the waters of Hell Gate and Wards Island from here. The park is also home to Gracie Mansion. This historic house was built in 1799 for Archibald Gracie. It has been the official residence of the Mayor of New York since 1942. You can even take tours of the restored building every Wednesday.
The park has a special walkway along the water. This promenade is built over the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive. It covers the road, giving you a safe path to walk or bike. The park is next to East End Avenue on its west side. To the south, it meets Gracie Square, which is part of East 84th Street. The East River Greenway, a path for bikes and walkers, also runs along the promenade.
Fun Activities for Kids and Pets
Carl Schurz Park is a great place to visit. It has winding, shady paths perfect for a stroll. There are also wide, green lawns where you can relax. If you love sports, you can use the basketball courts. For younger visitors, there is a large playground. The park also has two special areas for dogs. One is for bigger dogs, and the other is for smaller dogs.
The park is cared for by the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy. This group works with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. They help keep the park clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy. It is the oldest park conservancy in New York City.
A Look Back: History of the Park
The area where the park stands today has a long history. An early owner named Siebert Classen called this spot "Hoorn's Hook." This was named after his hometown in the Netherlands. The first house here was built for Jacob Walton before the American Revolution. This location became important during the war because it overlooked the East River.
From Battleground to Beautiful Park
In February 1776, American soldiers set up a battery of nine guns here. On September 15, 1776, British forces attacked the site. Their bombardment destroyed Walton's house. It also forced the American soldiers to leave. The British stayed in this area until 1783. After the war, Archibald Gracie built his timber-framed house in 1799.
The southern part of the park was once called "East River Park." This section was set aside in 1876. John Jacob Astor once had a house there. This area was used for picnics. The northern part of the park was bought by New York City in 1891. Later, the eastern part of 86th Street was also added to the park. A new design for the park was finished in 1902 by Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons.
How the Park Changed Over Time
The park was rebuilt in 1935 by Robert Moses. This happened when the FDR Drive was created nearby. Maud Sargent helped with the new landscaping. In the early 1970s, the park needed a lot of care. A group of neighbors formed the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy in 1974. They started by cleaning up the park's playground. Thanks to their hard work, the park was restored and became a wonderful place again.
See also
In Spanish: Parque Carl Schurz para niños
