Marsha P. Johnson State Park

History

Marsha P. Johnson State Park is built on the former site of the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal, the first offline railroad terminal to be located in Brooklyn (opened in 1870 as Palmer's Dock). It is adjacent to the city-run Bushwick Inlet Park. The park opened on May 26, 2007, and was originally known as East River State Park. Unlike other nearby parks, it closes at dusk. State park rules prohibit dogs and bicycle riding.

In 2009, the music concerts that were held at the McCarren Park Pool were relocated to the East River State Park. The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA) selected the East River State Park as the site for future performances. The park has been nicknamed the Williamsburg Waterfront. Through a public/private partnership the Open Space Alliance and Ticketmaster, live music performances will be held through the summer months at the East River State Park.

Renaming and renovation

On February 1, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York announced that the East River State Park in Brooklyn would be renamed in honor of gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson. New York state governor Andrew Cuomo formally rededicated the park on August 24, 2020, on the 75th anniversary of Johnson's birth. The state government closed parts of the park in early 2021, adding trees, paths, gardens, and event spaces as part of a renovation. The state originally planned to commission a mural honoring Johnson, but these plans were scrapped in mid-2021 after community members and activists criticized the lack of public input for the plans.

In August 2022, on the 77th anniversary of Johnson's birth, governor Kathy Hochul announced that a new gate to the park would be constructed as part of a renovation. The gateway would contain floral decorations, which Johnson frequently wore, and the words "Pay it no mind", which Johnson sardonically said was what her middle initial stood for.

Gallery

Image:East River State Park sign, Brooklyn, NY IMG_3741.JPG|Entrance sign File:WSTM Team Dustizeff 0012.jpg|Facilities in the park File:East River State Park - Historic Information Board 1.jpg|One of five historic information boards inside the park File:NY 35 (11733103943).jpg|The park in winter

References

References

1. "State Park Annual Attendance Figures by Facility: Beginning 2003".
2. (2014). "2014 New York State Statistical Yearbook". The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.
3. Ramirez, Anthony. (May 27, 2007). "In Brooklyn, Modest Space, but It Does Have a View". The New York Times.
4. Sisario, Ben. (March 27, 2009). "A New Home for Outdoor Concerts in Williamsburg". The New York Times.
5. "Williamsburg Waterfront Concerts".
6. Goldiner, Dave. (February 1, 2020). "Cuomo to rename Brooklyn state park for trailblazing transgender black activist".
7. Chang, Sophia. (February 3, 2020). "East River State Park Will Be Renamed For Pioneering Gay Rights Activist Marsha P. Johnson".
8. (February 3, 2020). "New York State To Rename Brooklyn Park After LGBTIQA+ Activist Marsha P. Johnson".
9. Riley, John. (August 26, 2020). "New York governor dedicates state park in memory of LGBTQ activist Marsha P. Johnson".
10. Hickman, Matt. (August 25, 2020). "Brooklyn's East River State Park renamed in honor of late LGBTQ activist and trans icon Marsha P. Johnson".
11. Duggan, Kevin. (January 14, 2021). "Locals slam six-month park closure for Cuomo pet project".
12. Duggan, Kevin. (March 9, 2021). "State Parks ditches controversial Marsha P. Johnson mural following backlash".
13. Gannon, Devin. (May 10, 2021). "New design for Marsha P. Johnson State Park adds more greenery, scraps rainbow-striped mural".
14. Brendlen, Kirstyn. (August 25, 2022). "Marsha P. Johnson Park to get new 'ornamental gateway' to cap off renovations, honor park's namesake".
15. Ginsburg, Aaron. (August 25, 2022). "Brooklyn's Marsha P. Johnson Park to get new 'ornamental' entrance".