“Wishing to be there”. That’s what Gernda means in German. It was the name Arthur Von Briesen gave his estate. This is Arthur Von Briesen Park. It sits right here on Staten Island.
Arthur Von Briesen wasn’t just a wealthy landowner. He was a German immigrant a Civil War veteran and a lawyer. He also founded the German Legal Aid Society. This later became the Legal Aid Society of New York City. It is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of free legal services. He believed justice should be available to everyone regardless of background. That’s quite a legacy for a park.
Von Briesen bought this property in 1901. He created a beautiful estate. After his death in 1920 his heirs donated the land to New York City. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses had the old buildings removed. The park opened in 1949. It had a renovation in 2001.
Today Arthur Von Briesen Park is 12.77 acres of serene beauty. It’s a passive park. Meaning there are no active recreation facilities like ball fields. This was a deliberate choice. The city wanted to keep it as a beautiful quiet place. You can walk among some of the original red oaks horsechestnuts and tulip trees Von Briesen planted.
Imagine strolling along the paths. The views of the New York Bay are breathtaking. You see the lower Manhattan skyline to the north. Fort Wadsworth and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge are to the south. It’s truly a hidden gem. A peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. A place where you can truly wish to be. A lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to justice. And a testament to the enduring beauty of this remarkable park.