Honoring the Black Experience in New York City Parks

On June 16th, Senator Serrano was proud to join the New York City Parks Department and Bronx elected officials for the renaming of 16 parks in honor of the Black experience in New York City, including Mullaly Park in the Bronx, renamed in honor of Rev. T. Wendell Foster, the first African American New York City Council Member.

"Reverend Foster dedicated his life to advocating for civil rights and to improving quality of life in our communities," said Senator Serrano. "He served as Chair for the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs in the City Council, where he oversaw more than 1,500 parks and 1,400 cultural insitutions, and transformed Mullaly Park into what it is today. I am thrilled that we are renaming this park in his honor today, and that we're honoring several other Black leaders in parks around the city."

The newly named spaces represent educators, Civil Rights leaders, pioneers in the LGBTQ+ community, novelists, playwrights, abolitionists and more. Other notables honored included: Lena Horne, Percy E. Sutton, Malcolm X, Kwame Ture and Audre Lorde.