Herbert Von King Park
Park of the Month - June 2006
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Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn has been named June’s Park of the Month.
One of the first parks in Brooklyn, Von King remains a vibrant recreational resource. The Park has facilities that foster an appreciation for athletics and the arts. At the Von King Cultural Arts Center, the public can enjoy use of a dance studio, performance stage, and art room. The Park also provides endless hours of enjoyment with its ballfields, handball courts and playgrounds.
This year, Von King was chosen by Borough President Markowitz to host the 3rd Annual BrooklynBest Festival. The weekend-long block party utilized the performance stage to showcase local musical talents and fashions. The event also featured an art exhibition, miniature golf and face painting.
“Herbert Von King Park is truly the heart of the flourishing community of Bedford Stuyvesant,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “From its ball fields and playgrounds to the Cultural Arts Center, Von King provides a rich array of programming and recreational opportunities for children and adults. We are honored that Borough President Markowitz chose to hold Brooklyn Best 2006 at this venue, signifying the Park’s prominence in the community.”
Von King is also the site of a wide range of recreational and educational activities. It was the starting point of the 2nd Annual Tour de Brooklyn, hosts an Old Fashioned Egg Hunt, and holds weekly classes in skills ranging from Tae Kwon Do to African and Caribbean dance.
Acquired in 1857, this park was one of the first established by the City of Brooklyn. It was originally named for Daniel D. Tompkins, an abolitionist who served four terms as governor of New York (1807-17) and two terms as Vice President of the United States under James Monroe (1817-25). It was not until 1871, however, that the plan for the park was submitted by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, the designers of Prospect and Central Parks.
The Park was renamed for Herbert Von King (1912-1985) in 1985 via a local law. Von King was called the “Mayor of Bedford Stuyvesant,” and was an active community leader for over 50 years.
Park of the Month introduces some of our greatest parks and greenspaces to curious New Yorkers and visitors alike.