Marsha P. Johnson State Park (formerly and also known as East River State Park) is an
state park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...
in the
Williamsburg
Williamsburg may refer to:
Places
*Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum and private foundation in Virginia
*Williamsburg, Brooklyn, neighborhood in New York City
*Williamsburg, former name of Kernville (former town), California
*Williams ...
neighborhood of
Brooklyn
Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
. The park stretches along the
East River
The East River is a saltwater tidal estuary in New York City. The waterway, which is actually not a river despite its name, connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates the borough of Queens ...
near North 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets, with views of the
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City across the East River connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Delancey Street with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at Broadway near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway ...
and
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan is the central portion of the New York City borough of Manhattan and serves as the city's primary central business district. Midtown is home to some of the city's most prominent buildings, including the Empire State Buildin ...
.
East River State Park opened in 2007 on the site of the
Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal
The Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal was a shortline railroad and marine terminal with its main facilities and administrative offices located on 86–88 Kent Avenue (now part of East River State Park and Bushwick Inlet Park) in the Williamsburg ...
. The park was renamed in honor of gay rights activist
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 – July 6, 1992) also known as Malcolm Michaels Jr., was an American gay liberation''I've been involved in gay liberation ever since it first started in 1969'', 15:20 into the interview, Johnson is quoted as ...
in 2020, becoming the first New York state park to be named after an LGBTQ person.
[
]
History
Marsha P. Johnson State Park is built on the former site of the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal
The Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal was a shortline railroad and marine terminal with its main facilities and administrative offices located on 86–88 Kent Avenue (now part of East River State Park and Bushwick Inlet Park) in the Williamsburg ...
, the first offline railroad terminal to be located in Brooklyn (opened in 1870 as Palmer's Dock). It is adjacent to the city-run Bushwick Inlet Park. The park opened on May 26, 2007, and was originally known as East River State Park. Unlike other nearby parks, it closes at dusk. State park rules prohibit dogs and bicycle riding.
In 2009, the music concerts that were held at the McCarren Park
McCarren Park is a public park in Brooklyn, New York City. It is located on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint and is bordered by Nassau Avenue, Bayard Street, Lorimer Street and North 12th Street. The park contains facilities for recrea ...
Pool were relocated to the East River State Park. The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA) selected the East River State Park as the site for future performances. The park has been nicknamed the Williamsburg Waterfront. Through a public/private partnership the Open Space Alliance and Ticketmaster, live music performances will be held through the summer months at the East River State Park.
Renaming and renovation
On February 1, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo ( ; ; born December 6, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 56th governor of New York from 2011 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the same position that his father, Mario Cuo ...
of New York announced that the East River State Park
Marsha P. Johnson State Park (formerly and also known as East River State Park) is an state park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The park stretches along the East River near North 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets, with views o ...
in Brooklyn would be renamed in honor of gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 – July 6, 1992) also known as Malcolm Michaels Jr., was an American gay liberation''I've been involved in gay liberation ever since it first started in 1969'', 15:20 into the interview, Johnson is quoted as ...
. New York state governor Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo ( ; ; born December 6, 1957) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 56th governor of New York from 2011 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the same position that his father, Mario Cuo ...
formally rededicated the park on August 24, 2020, on the 75th anniversary of Johnson's birth.[ At the renaming, Cuomo also announced the addition of art and signage within the park that would reflect Johnson's work.]Kathy Hochul
Kathleen Hochul ( ; née Courtney; born August 27, 1958) is an American politician serving as the 57th governor of New York since August 24, 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she is New York's first female governor, as well as the firs ...
announced that a new gate to the park would be constructed as part of a renovation. The gateway would contain floral decorations, which Johnson frequently wore, and the words "Pay it no mind", which Johnson sardonically said was what her middle initial stood for.
Gallery
Image:East River State Park sign, Brooklyn, NY IMG_3741.JPG, Entrance sign
File:WSTM Team Dustizeff 0012.jpg, Facilities in the park
File:East River State Park - Historic Information Board 1.jpg, One of five historic information boards inside the park
File:NY 35 (11733103943).jpg, The park in winter
See also
* List of New York state parks
This is a list of state parks in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Also listed are state golf courses, seasonal hunting areas, and ''former'' state parks.
In New York, state parks are managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Re ...
* List of parks in New York City
This is a list of New York City parks. Three entities manage parks within New York City, each with its own responsibilities:
* Federal – US National Park Service (NPS) - both open-space and historic properties
* State – New York State Off ...
References
External links
New York State Parks: Marsha P. Johnson State ParkBrooklyn Eastern District Terminal, Palmer's Dock - A Comprehensive History: 1870-1983
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State parks of New York (state)
Parks in Brooklyn
East River
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Protected areas established in 2007
2007 establishments in New York City
LGBT monuments and memorials in the United States
LGBT history in New York City