Townsend Park facts for kids

Townsend Park is a small park located in the city of Albany, New York. It is shaped like a triangle where three important streets meet. These streets are Central Avenue, Washington Avenue, and Henry Johnson Boulevard.

History of Townsend Park

How Did Townsend Park Get Its Name?

In 1833, people living nearby put a fence around this park. They first called it Washington Park, hoping to put a statue of George Washington there. But the city later changed its name to honor John Townsend, who used to be the Mayor of Albany. The name Washington Park then went to another park nearby, which is now Washington Park.

When Was the Spanish-American War Monument Built?

A special monument was placed in the park in 1928. This monument honors soldiers who fought in the Spanish–American War. You can find it on the western side of the park.

What Changes Happened in 2009?

In 2009, a group called the Central Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) worked to make the park look nicer. They took out the old park benches and picnic tables. In their place, they put in new metal seating. Some people who worked in the area thought this change made it harder for everyone to use the park. However, after these changes, the park became a safer place. The number of problems reported in the park went down. Also, the neighborhood around the park has become a lively spot with many different kinds of restaurants. You can find Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern, and Indian food there.

Spanish–American War Monument Details

What Does the Monument Look Like?

The Spanish–American War Monument is a tall statue, about 20-foot (6.1 m) high. It shows a bronze statue of a US soldier marching into battle. The soldier is holding a rifle, ready to go. A person named Dave Lithgow created this statue, and it was put up in 1928. This statue remembers the soldiers from the 10th Battalion. These soldiers were sent to Hawaii during the war because people worried about an attack from Spain. Luckily, no attack happened there.

What Is Written on the Monument?

Around the bottom of the monument, you can find several messages. Each of the four sides has the name of a different place where the war was fought.

• The back (east) side says "Hawaii".
• The south side says "Porto Rico" (which is now Puerto Rico).
• The north side says "Philippines".
• The front (west) side says "Cuba".

On the front, there is also a bronze cross. It says "United Spanish War Veterans 1898-1902". Below that, it reads: "Erected by the City of Albany July 22, 1928 in Memory of Those Who Served Their Country in the Spanish American War–William S. Hackett John Boyd Thacher 2nd Mayors."

Activities at Townsend Park

What Can You Do at Townsend Park?

Even though Townsend Park is small (about .48 acres (0.19 ha)), people in the neighborhood and city use it for different activities. Playing chess became very popular here after the main branch of the Albany Public Library stopped allowing it. Since 2014, a group called Food Not Bombs Albany also uses the park regularly. During the warmer months, they offer free vegan meals to the community.