Have you ever wondered about the history hidden beneath your feet? Right here in Brevoort Playground the past whispers secrets. This isn’t just any playground. Brevoort Playground is a green space in Bed-Stuy. It’s named for one of New York’s oldest families the Brevoorts. Their story begins far away in Bredevoort Netherlands. Hendrick Janszen left his home around 1630. He sailed to New Netherland with his family. He took the surname Brevoort after his hometown. Nearly every Brevoort in the US is descended from him.
His descendants built a life in New York. They acquired a vast estate. This estate stretched from the Bowery to Sixth Avenue. It went from Ninth Street to Eighteenth Street. When the land was sold it made the family incredibly wealthy. They became a powerful social force in New York. Henry Brevoort Jr and his wife Laura even built a mansion. It stood at Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street. Their fancy dress ball in 1840 was legendary.
The Brevoort legacy extends beyond their impressive estate. James Renwick Brevoort an architect in the family designed St Patrick’s Cathedral. The playground and the adjacent housing development were built around the same time. The City acquired the parkland in February 1951. The New York City Housing Authority leased it to Parks in 1957.
Brevoort Playground underwent renovations in 1995 and again between 2000 and 2001. Today you’ll find handball courts basketball courts a flagpole and plenty of play equipment. There are also benches shaded by London planetrees. The water feature with its unique sculptures is a highlight. It may not always be working but it’s certainly a whimsical touch. So next time you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon at Brevoort Playground remember the rich history woven into this little patch of green. It’s a story of family ambition and legacy a tale of Old New York brought to life under the Brooklyn sun.