Wednesday the 28th of September is the anniversary of the original celebration of the gift of Isham Park to New York City in 1912. The park will be 99 years old.
Julia Isham Taylor was the generous donor of the first of what turned into a series of parcels of land by Isham family members in honor of her father, William Bradley Isham, who died in 1909. Mr. Isham had owned and occupied the northern Manhattan land since 1864.
A New York Times article, dated March 24, 1912, describes one fact all but unknown today: that the gift of Isham Park preceded the city's purchase of Inwood Hill Park. In fact, news of the gifts of land for Isham Park helped to inspire support for the purchase of the land that became Inwood Hill Park.
According to then Parks Commissioner Stover, as quoted in The New York Times on the day of the Civic Celebration in 1912, the gift of Isham Park was one of the first gifts of private land for the purpose of a public park in Manhattan.
Volunteers for Isham Park is dedicated to the history and physical improvement of Isham Park, in conjunction with the Partnerships for Parks, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the City Parks Foundation, and existing Isham Park volunteer groups, such as Bruce Reynolds Memorial Garden, and independent gardeners.
We hope you will join us in planning for a Centennial Celebration for Isham Park on September 28th 2012!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Invasive species removal went well...
The corner of Isham Street and Seaman Avenue saw a transformation on Saturday. Eight Volunteers, assisted by the Parks Department Gardener, removed huge weeds fed by the rains of Hurricane Irene.
The dry loose soil was a big help. But the greatest break for us was the fact that the composting operation at the same corner allowed us to dispose of most of the plant material discards.
The compost service operates from 8:00am to 12 noon during the Saturday Farmer's Market, so we sped up a bit and completed our removals by 12 noon.
A group of children playing with a broom saw my sleeve and screamed, which took me by complete surprise. Forgot it was covered common Burdock bristles so that it looked almost like the five o'clock shadow of a giant. They asked: "Does that hurt?" I said no and explained what they were. Then they picked the bristles off for me one by one!
The dry loose soil was a big help. But the greatest break for us was the fact that the composting operation at the same corner allowed us to dispose of most of the plant material discards.
The compost service operates from 8:00am to 12 noon during the Saturday Farmer's Market, so we sped up a bit and completed our removals by 12 noon.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Invasive species removal: Part II, tomorrow
Volunteers for Isham Park work day this week!
In April of this year, the VIP's removed Porcelain Berry vine http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/ambr1.htm and other invasive species from the north end of Isham Park. The battle has not been won by a long shot!
Come and join us this Saturday, September 17th, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, at the fenced garden at the northeast corner of Isham Street and and Seaman Avenue.
We will assist the NYC Parks Gardener in Isham Park in the quest to remove invasive species from that corner garden. If time allows, we will also work to remove weeds and garbage from the Inwood Marble outcrop in the same area.
The Saturday Farmer's Market will be in full swing so it should be a festive occasion...please come out to assist us in this endless quest!
Wednesday, September 28th 2011 is the 99th anniversary of the Gift of Isham Park to New York City! This next year there will be many work days in advance of the Centennial of the Celebration of Julia Isham Taylor's gift to New York City of the land that became Isham Park. Work will be on-going. Please contact Volunteers for Isham Park at volunteersforishampark@gmail.com if you would like to participate.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Urban Design Week "Six to Celebrate" event at the HDC this Thursday September 15th at 6:00pm
September 15 - 20th
Urban Design Week is a new public festival from our friends at the Institute for Urban Design created to engage New Yorkers in the fascinating and complex issues of the public realm, and to celebrate the streetscapes, sidewalks, and public spaces at the heart of city life. Through an open-call ideas competition and a rich roster of discussions, tours, screenings, workshops, and events across the five boroughs, UDW will highlight the fact that cities are made by collective effort, and that each of us can play a part.
As part of the festivities, HDC will be hosting two events highlighting two of our Six to Celebrate….
~Inwood, Manhattan: Defining a historic district~
Thursday, September 15th, 6:00 pm
Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street
Pat Courtney and Cole Thompson of Volunteers for Isham Park will discuss the development of Inwood (including the important role of the creation of Isham Park) and the neighborhood’s efforts to preserve its unique geology, history and architecture.
Invasive plants removal part II: September 17th 2011
Volunteers for Isham Park work day this week!
In April of this year, the VIP's removed Porcelain Berry vine http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/ambr1.htm and other invasive species from the north end of Isham Park. The battle has not been won by a long shot!
Come and join us this Saturday, September 17th, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, at the fenced garden at the northeast corner of Isham Street and and Seaman Avenue.
We will assist the NYC Parks Gardener in Isham Park in the quest to remove invasive species from that corner garden. If time allows, we will also work to remove weeds and garbage from the Inwood Marble outcrop in the same area.
The Saturday Farmer's Market will be in full swing so it should be a festive occasion...please come out to assist us in this endless quest!
Wednesday, September 28th 2011 is the 99th anniversary of the Gift of Isham Park to New York City! This next year there will be many work days in advance of the Centennial of the Celebration of Julia Isham Taylor's gift to New York City of the land that became Isham Park. Work will be on-going. Please contact Volunteers for Isham Park at volunteersforishampark@gmail.com if you would like to participate.
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