“Isn’t taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot.” These words encapsulate the spirit of Sankofa Park. This park at Livonia Avenue between Schenck Avenue and Barbey Street in Brooklyn wasn’t always known by that meaningful name.
Initially, in 1953, the New York City Park Department built this space as a playground. It served a local elementary school. After the school’s demolition, the area stood unnamed.
In the 1960s, Sankofa Park buzzed with life. There was a softball field for games. Teenagers gathered here. Community talent shows filled summer evenings. The nearby New Lots Library partnered with the park for activities.
Then, in 1987, a change occurred. The park was named Schenck Playground. This honored the Schenck family, prominent Dutch settlers. However, this was not the final chapter.
Fast forward to 2016. The park underwent a transformation, a renaming. It became Sankofa Park. This change honored the African Americans who endured centuries of enslavement. These people were vital in East New York’s history. Community members championed this renaming.
Why Sankofa? The name carries deep meaning. Sankofa is a word from the Akan Twi language of Ghana. It’s also a Bono Adinkra symbol. It represents a mythic bird. This bird flies forward into the future. Its beak remains turned to the past. The name reflects the need to remember the past.
Archaeological surveys played a crucial role. The New York City Park Department conducted them. They unearthed fragmentary human remains in Sankofa Park. This discovery underscored the park’s hidden history.
A ceremony was held to reinter these remains. Plans emerged for the park’s reconstruction. A commemorative area was planned. This would honor the African Burial Ground. The project was projected for completion in the summer of 2023.
The redesign includes green spaces. An oval lawn offers passive reflection. A West African-inspired educational area features a circular platform. This is for orators and storytellers. A permanent memorial marker will honor those buried there.
Black granite features prominently. The “Griot Stone” stands at the center of the educational area. Its name comes from the griot. The griot is a West African poet and oral historian.
The remaining park area is for recreation. A basketball court and a playground offer space for activity. Cultural design elements appear throughout. Playground equipment features red, yellow, and green. These colors reference the pan-African flag.
Council Member Charles Barron said Sankofa Park will highlight the major contribution of African Ancestors. They were essential in building East New York. The park stands as a testament to remembrance. It’s a place to honor the past while moving forward.