“Hey kids watch this!” But before the echoes of laughter fade let’s talk about the grounds beneath your feet. This is Howard Playground. It is more than just swings and slides. It has a story that stretches back to the American Revolution.
William Howard owned the Rising Sun Tavern. This tavern was also known as the Howard Halfway House. It sat between Brooklyn Village and Jamaica. The intersection was at what we know today as Broadway and Jamaica Avenue.
Imagine weary travelers stopping here. They needed a place to rest. The tavern served as a gathering spot. Farmers bought supplies here. But this tavern had a peculiar design. It featured two bars. They were segregated. This was so that Dutch patrons wouldn’t have to drink with slaves.
Fast forward to August 1776. British General William Howe advanced on American troops. This led to the Battle of Brooklyn. Howe stopped at Howard’s tavern in the middle of the night. He took William Howard and his family prisoner.
Howard supported American independence. He tried to refuse helping the general. Howe threatened to shoot Howard in the head if he did not comply. So, Howard and his fourteen-year-old son William led the British. They went along the Rockaway Path. It runs through what is now the Evergreen Cemetery. They avoided Jamaica Pass. They thought it was heavily defended by American troops.
There were only five American soldiers at Jamaica Pass. These soldiers were supposed to raise the alarm. The British took them by surprise. They easily captured these few guards because Howard helped them circumvent the pass. The British then attacked the American troops from behind. General George Washington barely escaped from New York.
Howard and his family remained prominent after the war. Howard Avenue was laid out in 1839. It appeared on the Map of the City of Brooklyn. The avenue lent its name to the Howard Houses in 1955. This name then passed to Howard Playground in 1956.
In 1953, the city bought the land for the playground. It was part of a project to provide better homes. The city wanted more recreational space. This was for people living in substandard housing. Most buildings were demolished for the new housing. But the Brownsville Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library remained. It stands next to the park.
The park was originally named Howard Houses Playground. But the name was shortened to Howard Playground in 1987. It opened on September 12, 1956.
Today, Howard Playground boasts basketball courts. There are handball courts. Kids can play in a safe area. It has slides, poles, and wooden climbing blocks. Swings are available for toddlers and older children. Benches and checkerboard tables offer relaxation. Mature London plane trees provide shade.
So, next time you visit Howard Playground remember its rich history. It is a place of recreation and a landmark. This place has witnessed significant events in American history.