Marcus Garvey Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marcus Garvey Park |
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A view in the park looking west
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| Location | Harlem/East Harlem, Manhattan |
| Nearest city | New York City |
| Area | 20.16 acres (8.16 ha) |
| Created | 1840 |
| Operated by | New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |
Marcus Garvey Park is a cool park in New York City. It's about 20 acres big and sits between the Harlem and East Harlem neighborhoods in Manhattan. The park has a huge, steep rock in its center. This rock is so big that Fifth Avenue traffic has to go around the park!
The park was made in 1840. It was first named Mount Morris Park. This name honored Robert Morris, who was the mayor of New York City back then. In 1973, the park was renamed after Marcus Garvey. He was an important black activist and businessman. Marcus Garvey Park has flat grassy areas and sports fields. It also has the Harlem Fire Watchtower, a special landmark. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation takes care of the park.
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Why the Park Has Its Name
Early Dutch settlers called the big hill in the park "Slang Berg." This means "Snake Hill." People used this name a lot before the park was even built. When the park opened in 1840, it was likely named after Robert Morris. He was the mayor of New York City at that time.
In 1970, some groups wanted to rename the park. They suggested naming it after Marcus Garvey. He was a writer, journalist, and activist. He worked for black nationalism and started a group called the Universal Negro Improvement Association. These groups also wanted a museum about Garvey inside the park's new recreation center.
In August of that year, over 1,000 people celebrated "Marcus Garvey Day" in the park. By 1973, the City Council officially voted to rename the park. It became Marcus Garvey Memorial Park. This happened at the same time Welfare Island was renamed Roosevelt Island.
Park's History
The Park's Location
Before Europeans arrived, Native Americans used the rocky hill in the park. It was a great lookout spot. From there, they could see across the whole island. The nearby Harlem River made "Slang Berg" a very important place for military reasons.
During the American Revolutionary War, Hessian soldiers used the hill. They set up cannons there to control the mouth of the Harlem River. The hill was later called "Mount Morris." This name came from the 19th century.
Another smaller hill nearby was called "Little Hill." This hill was flattened to make way for the New York and Harlem Railroad. This railroad followed the path of what is now Park Avenue.
Building the Park
On September 4, 1839, a 20-acre area was set aside for a park. This land used to be a horse race track. It was chosen because of its rugged hills. These hills were right in the way of Fifth Avenue, which was being extended north. "Mount Morris Square" officially opened on December 1, 1840.
How the Park Was Used
The new park existed on paper for many years. It was finally landscaped in 1869. The city spent $15,000 to make it beautiful. Paths were built, including a sloping path to the top of the hill. People started to enjoy activities like croquet and picnics. Music has been played in the park since it first opened. The Parks Department held concerts in 1872 and 1893. By 1900, a snack booth was built near the 120th Street entrance.
In 1969, the park hosted the Harlem Cultural Festival. This was a series of concerts. It became known as "Black Woodstock."
Park Features
The Watchtower
The Harlem Fire Watchtower was built between 1855 and 1857. It is made of cast iron. The tower has a huge 10,000-pound bell. This watchtower helped people look for fires. In those days, most buildings were made of wood. The tower is 47 feet tall. It is the only one left of eleven similar towers built in the city.
The watchtower became a city landmark in 1967. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. You can find the watchtower at the center of the park. It sits on a high spot called The Acropolis.
Park Facilities
Marcus Garvey Park has many facilities for visitors. These include the Pelham Fritz Recreation Center. There is also the Richard Rogers Amphitheater. Both are on the west side of the park near 122nd Street.
The park has a swimming pool that opens in summer. On the north side, there are two playgrounds. These were built in 1993 for young children and kids with disabilities. A Little League baseball field is in the park's southwest corner. There is also a dog run with wood chips for pets.
Some of the old stone stairs and walls have been repaired with concrete. Parts of the upper section are sometimes closed off with fences. Most of the park closes at 10 pm. The very top section closes earlier, at dusk.
