Corporal John A. Seravalli Playground

Hudson St. bet.ween Gansevoort St. and Horatio St.

Manhattan, 10014

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

At the request of Community Board 2, and by decision of the City Planning Commission, Parks, and Borough President Hulan E. Jack, this open space was carved out of Manhattan's crowded West Village. During the early 1950s, Anthony Dapolito, lifetime park advocate and then chairman of Community Board 2, had successfully worked for the creation of Thompson Playground in SoHo. Residents of the West Village were inspired to approach Community Board 2 and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses for a playground in their neighborhood.