Bildersee Playground

What was here before?
This area of Brooklyn known as Canarsie, takes its name from its first inhabitants, who were Munsee-speaking people of the Leni Lenape. In the 17th century, the Dutch started to settle farms in the vicinity of Paerdegat Basin. Canarsie remained largely rural until after World War II. A handful of one-level dwellings were scattered in the area immediately around this property in the 1940s. In order to address the housing shortage after the war, the City built a number of housing developments in Canarsie. 

How did this site become a playground?
The City of New York acquired this property through condemnation in 1960 to build a playground adjacent to the construction of the Bildersee School. I.S. 68 was built to relieve overcrowding in the nearby Junior High School 211 due to the rapid population growth of the Canarsie neighborhood. The playground opened in 1965 as I.S. 68 Playground – jointly operated by NYC Parks and the Department of Education. Beginning in 1938, the Board of Education (now the Department of Education) agreed to provide land next to schools where NYC Parks could build and maintain playgrounds that could be used by the school during the day and by the public when school is not in session.

In 1985, the property was renamed after the adjacent school. The park received was improved in 2019 with a new synthetic turf and reconstructed basketball courts, drinking fountains and misting stations, landscaping, and an additional entrance.

Who is this playground named for?
Both the playground and school are named for Dr. Isaac Bildersee (1887-1952), the widely known assistant superintendent of Brooklyn public schools during the 1940s. Born and bred in New York City, Dr. Bildersee was from a family of educators. His sisters Adele and Dorothy were a founding Dean of Brooklyn College and principal of Brooklyn’s P.S. 217, respectively.

Following his graduation from City College in 1905, Dr. Bildersee launched a 47-year career as a dedicated teacher and administrator in the New York City public school system. Bildersee taught in three Manhattan elementary schools, followed by a brief stint teaching English at De Witt Clinton High School. In 1922, he began his administrative career as principal of Brooklyn’s P.S. 205 and Seth Low Junior High School from 1929-1946.

Dr. Bildersee was appointed assistant superintendent of Brooklyn’s public schools in 1946, a position he occupied until his death in 1952. In December 1947, he issued a controversial order banning the singing of Christmas carols with strong religious connotations in 23 of Brooklyn’s public schools. The mandate also included the removal of any religious symbols, decorations, or references to the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. The order quickly sparked controversy among many groups, but Bildersee insisted the ban’s intent was not to discourage holiday celebration, but an effort to protect the beliefs of all religious groups.

On December 5, 1947, Superintendent William Jansen of Brooklyn public schools issued an official letter suspending Bildersee’s order. Jansen ruled that schools would hold holiday events deemed appropriate by the individual schools’ principals. He also wrote “It is expected, as always, that the principle of freedom of religious worship will be respected.” At the age of 65, Dr. Isaac Bildersee died on August 23, 1952 in Star Lake, NY, leaving behind his wife Selena and three children.