A playground honoring a physicist? That’s Ampere Playground. Right here in Queens New York City. This isn’t just any playground. It’s a tribute to André-Marie Ampère. A brilliant French physicist and mathematician. He’s considered the father of electromagnetism.
Ampere Playground opened in 1958. It was originally called P.S. 64 Playground. The name changed in 1985. It then became the city’s 733rd playground. The city acquired the land in 1927. It was a condemnation. That means the city took over the land for public use.
Ampère himself led a fascinating life. He was largely self-educated. He learned from his father and encyclopedias. By age 13 he wrote a paper. It was on the construction of a line equal to a circle’s arc length. Sadly it was rejected. He lacked knowledge of current mathematical advances.
He later became a professor of math and chemistry. He published on probability. He also made huge contributions to physics and chemistry. He correctly identified fluorine as a new element. He is most famous for his work on electromagnetism. He developed Ampère’s Law. This law describes the magnetic field created by an electric current.
He also invented the solenoid. It’s a tightly wound coil of wire. It has special electromagnetic properties. Amazingly he developed his theories in just three months. He built upon the work of Hans Christian Ørsted. Ørsted discovered that a magnetic field affects a compass needle. As a tribute to his groundbreaking work the unit for electrical current is called the ampere or amp.
Ampere Playground offers more than just swings and slides. There are benches. There are game tables. There’s even a spray shower for hot summer days. The playground underwent a renovation in 2003. New paving and play equipment were added. It’s a vibrant community space. Local residents help maintain it. They participate in annual volunteer days. It’s a testament to both scientific achievement and community spirit. So next time you’re here remember the legacy of André-Marie Ampère. Remember the incredible work that this small park commemorates. Enjoy the playground.