Nestled here, McDonald Playground stands as a testament to community spirit. It offers a space for recreation and remembrance. Let’s step inside and uncover the stories woven into its very existence.
McDonald Playground wasn’t always called that. Once, this land was simply part of Gravesend. Gravesend was a historic town. In 1987, this playground officially adopted its name from the adjacent McDonald Avenue.
But who was McDonald? The avenue, and thus the playground, honors John R. McDonald. He served as chief clerk at Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court. His career began there in 1893. He steadily climbed the ranks. Sadly, McDonald’s life was cut short by an accident. He swallowed a chicken bone that fatally punctured his intestine. To honor him, the city renamed Gravesend Avenue to McDonald Avenue in 1933.
The renaming wasn’t without controversy. The Gravesend Chamber of Commerce felt it erased a vital link to Brooklyn’s past. Lady Deborah Moody founded Gravesend in 1643. Her town was known for its four-square plan and religious freedom. Gravesend Avenue had been a key route for over 200 years. Despite the opposition, the name changed.
Parks acquired this site in 1949. They opened the playground in 1951. Later, in 1990, the ballfield was named for slain Police Officer Jeff B. Herman.
Look around. You’ll see adventure play equipment. You can enjoy basketball, handball, and tennis courts. In 1998, the New York Junior Tennis League courts were renovated. Shrub plantings and London plane trees add greenery. Their leafy canopies offer shade.
Notice the spray shower. Four panels depict early life in Gravesend. They show colonial scenes like a couple in a cemetery. Another panel shows men signing a document. There is a woman kneeling in prayer. A farmer plows his field with an ox. These scenes are based on what we know of 17th-century Gravesend life.
McDonald Playground also honors Austin J. McDonald. He was a New York City resident killed in World War I. This is one of nine playgrounds built by the Parks Department. They used a war memorial fund. All nine opened simultaneously on July 15, 1934.
The playground is part of Mayor DeBlasio’s Community Parks Initiative. This initiative invests in under-resourced public parks. These parks are in New York City’s densely populated neighborhoods.
Recently, McDonald Playground has seen significant improvements. The redesign transformed it into a vibrant recreational space. Outdated equipment was replaced. The basketball court was expanded. New spaces were added. These include a spray shower area and fitness equipment areas. A multi-use turf lawn now hosts performances and community gatherings.
Geometric pavers and lush plantings divide the program areas. They create inviting spaces for reflection. Mitchell Silver, the NYC Parks Commissioner, called it the most dramatic transformation he’d seen. He noted the park hadn’t seen investment in 25 years.
So, as you enjoy McDonald Playground, remember its layered history. It is a place named for a dedicated public servant and a war hero. It represents community, remembrance, and recreation. The park’s story continues to evolve. It provides a vital space for generations to come.