Jeremy. Is that really Bushwick (Knickerboker) park? I can’t believe how nice it looks! Man it’s really changed since I used to play there as a kid in the 70’s. Nice.
Oh, I just meant like, a park in Bushwick, but yeah that’s Bushwick/Knickerbocker/Maria Hernandez Park. Though, there is another park father down Knick that is apparently officially called “Knickerbocker Park.” Even the parks are confusing.
One thing that came to my mind in reading the tread is how people resist using the official name for their parks. As Tony T made clear, Maria Hernandez was almost never referred to as Bushwick Park - its previous long-term official name - but as Knickerbocker Park. (I suspect some people still refer to it as such.) In addition, the park officially designated as Bushwick Playground - the recreational area situated south of the former Bushwick High School - is still popularly called Putnam Park. Finally, many of the locals still call Irving Square Park Halsey Park. (In Greenpoint, although McGolrick Park was named after a popular paster of a local church in 1940, it was still popularly called Winthrop Park until at least the mis 1970’s.)
I don’t know why this is the case. There just seems to be something about parks that prevents people from changing the name.
A lot of things are like that, especially street and park names. In Miami, every block and corner and plaza is named for some Cuban or Floridian hero, and nobody calls the streets anything but by their number-name. Really, is everything in the world going to be renamed every time somebody bites it? On that subject, I would love to see Wilson renamed Hamburg.
what about the notion that the park attracts all kinds of lewd and illegal behavior. or does it benefit more? heard lots of pros and cons on both sides. as much as i like being near a park, the concern that it welcomes anyone especially those who could do bad is a concern.
We actually weren’t sure what happened to you, as you weren’t happy with how this blog was. So discussions continued without you, and now you are back for whatever reason, and we are trying to have an educated discussion, with people that care about Bushwick.
Point being is that parks are nice, but it’s been shown that they are welcome grounds for homeless people or crime. Based on a “non-pedestrian’s” experienced maybe not maria park, but prospect park has had issues with this.
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October 3rd, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Jeremy. Is that really Bushwick (Knickerboker) park? I can’t believe how nice it looks! Man it’s really changed since I used to play there as a kid in the 70’s. Nice.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 pm
“Unidentified man has nice day. Details at 11 o’clock!”
October 4th, 2007 at 12:36 am
Oh, I just meant like, a park in Bushwick, but yeah that’s Bushwick/Knickerbocker/Maria Hernandez Park. Though, there is another park father down Knick that is apparently officially called “Knickerbocker Park.” Even the parks are confusing.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
He is now the future of Bushwick.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
This is a terrific photograph.
One thing that came to my mind in reading the tread is how people resist using the official name for their parks. As Tony T made clear, Maria Hernandez was almost never referred to as Bushwick Park - its previous long-term official name - but as Knickerbocker Park. (I suspect some people still refer to it as such.) In addition, the park officially designated as Bushwick Playground - the recreational area situated south of the former Bushwick High School - is still popularly called Putnam Park. Finally, many of the locals still call Irving Square Park Halsey Park. (In Greenpoint, although McGolrick Park was named after a popular paster of a local church in 1940, it was still popularly called Winthrop Park until at least the mis 1970’s.)
I don’t know why this is the case. There just seems to be something about parks that prevents people from changing the name.
October 4th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
A lot of things are like that, especially street and park names. In Miami, every block and corner and plaza is named for some Cuban or Floridian hero, and nobody calls the streets anything but by their number-name. Really, is everything in the world going to be renamed every time somebody bites it? On that subject, I would love to see Wilson renamed Hamburg.
October 6th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
grew up in Bushwick until 1973 when I moved to long island to start ninth grade. We always new it as Knickerbocker park.
Quick Question?
is St. Josephs church or school still open on
Sudyam Street between Wilson Ave. and Central Ave.?
October 7th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Anthony, yes, it’s still there.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
what about the notion that the park attracts all kinds of lewd and illegal behavior. or does it benefit more? heard lots of pros and cons on both sides. as much as i like being near a park, the concern that it welcomes anyone especially those who could do bad is a concern.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
jay: WHAT are you talking about? words fail me for what I read on this blog sometimes… sheesh!
October 9th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
You’re back?! We thought you had left in digust for Chicago pizza, etc.
A park is nice, but some have said it attracts bums, degenerates, etc.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:01 am
I’M A DEGENERATE and I resent your pedestrian judgements!
October 10th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
We actually weren’t sure what happened to you, as you weren’t happy with how this blog was. So discussions continued without you, and now you are back for whatever reason, and we are trying to have an educated discussion, with people that care about Bushwick.
Point being is that parks are nice, but it’s been shown that they are welcome grounds for homeless people or crime. Based on a “non-pedestrian’s” experienced maybe not maria park, but prospect park has had issues with this.