“Needles litter this park” That’s the troubling headline St. Mary’s Park sometimes attracts. Yet, beyond those headlines lies a story of resilience and community.
St. Mary’s Park is a large public park. It sits in the Mott Haven neighborhood in the South Bronx. The park covers 35.31 acres.
Once, this land was part of Jonas Bronck’s estate. The Bronx is named for him. Later, it belonged to Gouverneur Morris’s family. He was an author of the U.S. Constitution.
In 1857, Adrian Janes bought the land. Janes owned an iron foundry. His company made the U.S. Capitol dome and the Bow Bridge in Central Park. St. Mary’s Park is named after Janes’ daughter, Mary. Janes’ Hill in the park’s north end marks where his mansion stood.
In 1874, New York City annexed the southern Bronx. Journalist John Mullaly wanted public parks. He founded the New York Park Association in 1881. His work led to the 1884 New Parks Act. The city bought land for St. Mary’s and other parks between 1888 and 1890.
A Protestant Episcopal church was located nearby. It stood three blocks west until 1959. The park was named in honor of the church.
In 1903, the city allowed the New York Central Railroad to build tracks under the park. A tunnel was built by 1905. The old rail line was abandoned. The land was given back to the park in 1912. More land was added in 1968.
The borough’s first playground opened in St. Mary’s Park in 1914. It later featured a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and a children’s farm garden. Three more playgrounds opened between 1938 and 1941 due to population growth.
After World War II, a recreation program was created. New York’s first indoor recreation center opened at St. Mary’s in 1951. It had a pool, gym, and meeting rooms. Marvel Comics murals were painted in the center.
A fitness loop and tennis courts were added in 1996. Synthetic turf was installed in 2006. Despite improvements, the park faced challenges.
In 2015, funding was allocated for playground renovation. In 2016, more money was set aside for park improvements. St. Mary’s Playground West was renovated between 2018 and 2019. These renovations improved the facilities.
Today, St. Mary’s Park offers sports and recreation. New York Road Runners hosts a weekly run here. The park stands as a testament to the Bronx’s history. It is a place of recreation and community, striving for a brighter future. Despite its challenges, St. Mary’s Park remains a vital part of the Bronx.