Dr. Thomasina Bushby Park

What was here before?

In 1666, early European settlers and landowners, Edward Jessup and John Richardson, were granted the West Farms patent, covering the western part of Westchester and bordered by the Bronx River (Aquehung), after “purchasing” it from the Lenape. In 1711, the land was divided into twelve lots by the heirs of Jessup and Richardson. In 1846, West Farms was separated from Westchester and became part of The Bronx in1874. By 1848, the area had grown to 1,000 residents, with schools, businesses, and factories, and was evolving into a railroad suburb. In the mid-1800s, this was vast and bountiful land that was farmed by G.B. Powell.

How did this become a park?

Once the site of an apartment building, it was demolished in the 1980s and then developed into a playground under the Administration of Children’s Services. The site was transferred to NYC Parks in 2018 and named Davidson Playground after the avenue it is located on.  In 2024, the park was rebuilt with multigenerational play areas, water play, swings, and seating. The park was renamed in 2025 for Dr. Thomasina Bushby.

Who is this park named for?

Dr. Thomasina Bushby (1940-2021) was a prominent sociologist, educator, and community leader in Morris Heights, Bronx. 

A longtime professor at Monroe College, she specialized in sociology, focusing on marriage, family, and criminal justice. She began her teaching career at the College of New Rochelle before spending 35 years at Monroe College. As a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, she engaged the community in local politics, through the Jerome A. Greene Democratic Club. She also served as the secretary of Bronx Community Board 5 and as the Executive Director of the Morris Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association.

Bushby played a key role in founding the Morris Heights Health Center in 1981 and served on its board for 40 years. She was a member of various community organizations, including Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), the NAACP Bronx Chapter, and Black United Leadership of the Bronx. She advocated for voter education, affirmative action, and crime prevention programs, while working on initiatives such as the development of Harrison Circle, a senior citizen housing project, and the 174th Street Homeowner Association. Bushby also took leadership roles in political campaigns and was a dedicated member of her church, St. Francis of Assisi, where she served multiple terms as President of the Parish Council and was an active member of the Rosary Society.