 |
| Photo from the Archives of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation |
The park was one of the first
gifts of land for a NYC public park according to then Parks Commissioner Charles
B. Stover. The gift not only preserved
the land for Isham Park, but it reignited the discussion of the purchase
of land for Inwood
Hill Park. Completion of the construction of the first
rapid transit station at the east end of Dyckman Street in 1906 had hastened the
development of open farmland in Inwood into the residential apartment community
known today. The gift of land for Isham
Park actually preserved precious
natural geological features that might have been lost if development had
advanced without interruption across the northern tip of the island.
Julia Isham Taylor initiated
the gift of land for a park to be named in her father’s memory in a letter to the
Manhattan Borough President George A. McAneny, reproduced in the New York Times
on May 26, 1911. After her aunt, her
father’s sister, Flora Eliza Isham, gave additional land in early 1912, the
celebration of the park was planned and held.
The gifts of land that became
Isham Park
have enabled the public to experience the original terrain of Manhattan Island
at its northern tip for the past 100 years. As Julia intended, Isham Park
has served as an open space, treasure, and community asset throughout its
lifetime. We ask that everyone who is devoted to Isham Park participate in this
celebration, share their favorite Isham Park memories, reconnect with the
park’s phenomenal history, and celebrate the diverse neighborhood that
envelopes it.
Once again, the I.S. 52 Inwood Tiger band and Heavenly
Voices Chorus will march from the Broadway entrance to the top of Isham Park
to open the festivities:
Saturday, September 29, 2012
11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Isham Park, event will be held on the lawn at the top of the park.
Enter the park at Broadway above Isham Street to march with the band at 11:00am.
Festivities will include various speakers, story booth, performers, historical park signage and tours, children’s activities, celebration cake and refreshments.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Isham Park, event will be held on the lawn at the top of the park.
Enter the park at Broadway above Isham Street to march with the band at 11:00am.
Festivities will include various speakers, story booth, performers, historical park signage and tours, children’s activities, celebration cake and refreshments.
For more information please contact: volunteersforishampark@gmail.com
