Little Flower Playground

Madison St. bet.ween Clinton St. and Rutgers St.

Manhattan, 10002

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

This playground, formerly La Guardia Houses Park, refers to the popular nickname of New York City mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882-1947), Little Flower. The nickname is a literal translation of the Italian mayor’s first name and an allusion to his small physical stature of 5 feet 2 inches. La Guardia, the son of a United States Army bandleader, was born in Little Italy at 177 Sullivan Street. He received his law degree from New York University, was admitted to the bar in 1910 and became the nation’s first Italian American Congressman in 1916. La Guardia held various Congressional posts until 1932, and served as president of New York City’s Board of Aldermen from 1920 to 1921.