Did you know that Markham Playground has a connection to a political poet? His name was Edwin Markham. He lived on Staten Island. Markham was born Charles Edward Anson Markham in 1852. He died in 1940.
Markham Playground, named in his honor, stands as a testament to his legacy. The City of New York acquired the land in 1947. This was for a proposed tunnel project. Markham Intermediate School was built in 1959. The playground opened in 1962. At first, it was called J.H.S. 51 Playground. Commissioner Stern renamed it Markham Playground in 1985.
Edwin Markham was more than just a poet. He was a man of strong social conscience. Markham spoke out against child labor. He advocated for impoverished Jews. He pressed for the creation of Israel. His most famous poem is called “The Man with the Hoe”. It was inspired by a painting. The painting depicted a farmer working with a hoe. Some people thought the poem was too radical. Many more praised it for its humanity.
Markham lived in a unique home on Staten Island. He didn’t drink alcohol. He refused electricity and telephones. His house was filled with books. His wife sometimes used them as tables. Famous writers often visited his home. They included Upton Sinclair and Kahlil Gibran. Markham also co-founded The Poetry Society of America.
Today, Markham Playground offers many activities. You can find benches and a red brick building here. There are basketball courts. Handball and bocce ball courts are available. A baseball diamond awaits eager players. Game tables offer space for board games or cards.
The play units are designed for all ages. Toddlers and older children can enjoy them. Safety surfacing is under all play equipment. Cobblestone treepits add a touch of the past. Old-fashioned streetlamps light the way. Students from the nearby Edwin Markham School use the playground. Neighbors also come to relax and play.
Playgrounds like Markham Playground have a rich history. Around 1900, people wanted to create safe places for children. Before then, kids often worked with adults. They socialized in dance halls and gambling dens. Reformers like Jane Addams wanted to change this. They believed children needed safe spaces to play. Playgrounds were seen as a way to restore children’s social morality.
New York City was a leader in the playground movement. The city’s first playgrounds were studied in 1884. Organized movements began in 1889. Playgrounds were called “pleasure resorts”. They were intended to help children. Some people believed playgrounds would reduce crime. They thought playgrounds would promote good citizenship. These early playgrounds even had sports teams. Teams competed against each other in citywide tournaments.
Markham Playground embodies this history. It offers a space for recreation and community. It is a place where children can play safely. It is a living tribute to Edwin Markham’s vision. So take a moment to appreciate this park. Remember the poet and the history it represents.