Henry M. Jackson Playground

Jackson St., Madison St., Henry St.

Manhattan, 10002

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

This playground’s clever name was coined by Commissioner Stern in 1997. It combines the street names that surround it: Henry, Madison and Jackson Streets, all of which were named for important political leaders. The playground’s name also specifically honors Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson (1912-1983) who served as a U.S. Senator from Washington (1953-1983) and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1941 to 1953. Jackson took a strong stance against Communism, but at the same time criticized Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s campaign in the 1950s to “out” Communist sympathizers. In retrospect, most regard McCarthy’s campaign as a 1950s “witch hunt.” Jackson supported organized labor and civil rights, and in 1972 and 1976 unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination.

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