History in New York City Parks

There's a wealth of history in New York City's greenspaces! Click a thumbnail image below to learn more about a subject and join our history programs with the Urban Park Rangers to learn more in-person!

Accessibility in Parks

The Arsenal

Art in the Parks

Bat Sports in Parks

Beaches of New York City Parks

Before They Were Parks

Bicycling: A Revolution in Parks

Black History & Parks

Bowling, Boules, and Bocce in Parks

Cinematic Parks

Community Gardens

Concerts in Parks

The Earliest New York City Parks

Earth Day & Arbor Day in Parks

Geological History of Parks

Golf in Parks

Groundhog Day in Parks

Holiday Celebrations in Parks

Ice Skating in Parks

LGBTQ Pride & Parks

New Year's Eve in Parks

New York City Marathon

Olmsted–Designed Parks

Pools in Parks

Playgrounds in Parks

Presidents in Parks

Recreation in Parks

Strange Park Visitors

Strawberry Fields Forever

Theater in Parks

War Memorials in Parks

Women's History & Parks

Zoos in Parks

Resources

Annual Reports & Press Releases
Browse annual reports from 1857 through 1934 and press releases from 1934 through 1970.

Historical Signs

New York City Parks Commissioners

Moses Era 30 Years of Progress 1934 - 1964
The status and planned future of the City's park system, as of June 1964.

Newsroom Archive
Collection of newsletters, biennial reports, photographs, and media advisories from recent Parks history.

Photo Archive
Repository of over 200,000 original negatives created by Parks photographers from 1856 to the present day. There is also a small collection of color motion picture footage from the 1930s and 1940s.