Alfred E. Smith Playground

Catherine Slip, Madison St. and South St.

Manhattan

Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center hours and programming

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

The greatest privilege that can come to any man
is to give himself to the nation which reared him.

-Alfred E. Smith, Governor

Alfred Emanuel Smith (1873-1944) was a great figure in New York State, New York City, and the Lower East Side. A son of Irish immigrants, Smith dropped out of St. James Parochial School to help support his family. However, his lack of formal education did not hinder Smith from becoming a renowned New York legislator and executive.