Lady Moody Triangle

Did Lady Deborah Moody ever imagine a triangle of green named in her honor? Here at Lady Moody Triangle, nestled between Avenue U, Lake Street, and Village Road North, her legacy thrives. Lady Moody Triangle became a public space in 1928. It joined the New York City Parks system in 1938. In 1940, it was officially named Lady Moody Square to honor the remarkable woman who founded Gravesend in the 1640s. Lady Moody, an English widow, arrived in the American colonies in 1639. She became the first woman in the colonies to receive a land patent in 1645 from the Dutch colonial government. Before becoming a peaceful park, Lady Moody Triangle had a more commercial past. A gas station once occupied part of the triangle. Even earlier, in the 1890s, a wooden frame building stood on this very spot. The triangle has seen much transformation over the years. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) planned improvements in 1941. These included benches, drinking fountains, and sidewalks. World War II likely interrupted these plans. The square became a place to honor veterans. In 1946, a plaque was dedicated to local men lost in the war. The Catholic War Veterans held ceremonies here. In the 1970s, there was a movement to rename the square. The Brooklyn Chapter of the National Organization for Women protested, reminding everyone of Lady Moody’s importance. Today, Lady Moody Triangle thrives. A 2000 renovation added walkways and Belgian block paving stones. The square’s mature trees now have new plantings as companions. This tranquil triangle, once a bustling hub of activity, stands as a testament to a pioneering woman. It’s a tribute to the veterans who served their country. It’s a quiet reminder of the ever-changing landscape of this vibrant city.