A forgotten corner of Brooklyn whispers secrets. This is Gravesend Park a place shrouded in mystery and a rich past.
Gravesend Park sits quietly in Borough Park. Its name however is a puzzle. Some say its proximity to Washington Cemetery gave it this name. Others believe it honors the nearby Gravesend neighborhood. This neighborhood was once a bustling English settlement.
Founded in 1645 by Lady Deborah Moody Gravesend was unique. It was one of the few colonial towns founded by a woman. Moody a strong woman led her people seeking religious freedom. They established a thriving community self-sufficient for centuries. This lasted until 1894 when Gravesend was annexed by Brooklyn.
The land that would become Gravesend Park had a different life. It was once within Gravesend’s town line. Later it became part of New Utrecht. In 1896 Brooklyn acquired it. The city planned to build a disciplinary training school. The school opened but closed in 1916. The city turned the land into a park in 1917.
Even the name of a nearby thoroughfare changed. Gravesend Avenue became McDonald Avenue in 1933. It is named for an Alderman. He died from swallowing a chicken bone. Parks were often named after nearby streets. Gravesend Park likely kept its name to honor the town.
Gravesend Park has evolved. It now boasts tennis courts baseball fields and a roller hockey rink. It shows a history of renovations. A 1995 renovation installed new safety surfacing. A later renovation involved demolishing tennis courts. This made way for a new modern roller hockey rink.
Today Gravesend Park is a quiet place. It offers a glimpse of history. It reflects the many changes that have shaped this corner of Brooklyn. Its name holds a piece of that history a story waiting to be rediscovered.