2 BK Playgrounds, 1 In Prospect Heights, Renamed For Black NYers

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Two playgrounds, including one in Prospect Heights, have been renamed as part of the city's effort to celebrate Black New Yorkers.

Underhill Playground was renamed Wednesday for prominent abolitionist James Forten and Middleton Playground in South Williamsburg will now be known as Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet Playground in honor of the suffragist and educator in New York City schools, the parks department announced.

The playgrounds are among 16 renamings at parks sites across the five boroughs, three total in Brooklyn, that will honor prominent figures in Black history.

“Our parks and greenspaces are critical community spaces, and these renamings in honor of the Black experience are physical reminders of the contributions and legacies of Black New Yorkers across our city,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

This year's renamings follow a similar effort undertaken last fall, when 10 park spaces around the city were renamed on the 51st annual Black Solidarity Day.

The latest slate of new names also includes the Prospect Park Bandshell, which will now be known as the Lena Horne Bandshell in celebration of the trailblazing dancer, singer, actress and Brooklynite.

Four Manhattan sites, four in the Bronx, three in Queens and two in Staten Island also made the list.

"These greenspaces and park facilities are critical resources in the communities they serve and we want to ensure that they bear names that inspire pride, encourage meaningful discourse, and represent the people it serves," Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver said in a news release.

Here's more about the Brooklyn sites:

Prospect Park Bandshell now Lena Horne Bandshell
With a strong endorsement from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, the historic concert venue has been renamed in honor of Lena Horne. Horne was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and was a trailblazing dancer, actress and singer in theater, film and television. She was also active on issues of social justice and civil rights.

Underhill Playground now James Forten Playground
James Forten was a prominent abolitionist and vice president of the Anti-Slavery Society. During the Revolutionary War, he was temporarily imprisoned at Brooklyn’s Wallabout Bay near what is today the Navy Yard.

Middleton Playground now Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet Playground
A leading educator and suffragist, Sarah J.S. Tompkins Garnet was the first Black female principal in the New York City public schools. The playground located in Williamsburg features handball courts, play equipment, and swings. The park also has basketball courts, which are slated for a full reconstruction and are currently in the design phase of the capital process.