Ahearn Park is a small triangular spot in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It is one of New York City’s oldest parks but it is also one of the most unremarkable.
Made up of a series of park benches placed around the perimeter of the triangle with the shade of trees above, it is a spot for people in the neighborhood to stop and take a rest.
History of Ahearn Park
Ahearn Park is bounded by Grand Street and East Broadway. Since 1824, it was been a public place for people to gather together.
In 1870, all of New York’s parks came under the control of the Department of Public Parks. This included Ahearn Park, which was known at that time as Grand Street Place.
When it came under the Department of Public Parks, new improvements were made to the park. This included new plantings as well as lampposts.
In the 1910s, the park then became known as Oriental Park. It was at this time that four European lindens, three Norway maples, and eight Oriental plane trees were planted at the park.
So how did the park become known as Ahearn Park?
It was in 1923 the Board of Aldermen named the park for John Francis Ahearn (1853-1920).
Ahearn was educated at public schools and worked as a business clerk. From 1882 to 1883, he served one term in the State Assembly.
He then served five terms in the State Senate, from 1890 to 1902, championing the interests of firemen, policemen, and school teachers.
He became the Manhattan Borough President in 1903 but these latter years were marred with controversy. There was a legal battle and he was removed from office in 1909. He died in 1920 at his home in East Broadway.
What’s at Ahearn Park
Ahearn Park used to be broader on the Grand Street side but part of the park went to the widening of Grand Street.
In 1998, Ahearn Park was renovated and this resulted in the installation of new benches, repaving of the park and a planter area.
It is also across the street from the Abrons Arts Center, a home for contemporary arts in the Lower East Side. Next to the park is Hand in Hand Development, a provider of Early Intervention serivces.
In 2015, it hosted Artist Allen Glatter’s abstract steel sculpture Toro as part of the NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program.
You may also be interested in this park in Tribeca.
