Captain Dermody Triangle

NYC PARKS BEGINS WORK TO TRANSFORM HISTORIC CAPTAIN DERMODY TRIANGLE IN BAYSIDE, QUEENS

Today, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., State Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Nily Rozic, City Council Member Linda Lee, Community Board 11 District Manager Joseph Marziliano, Bayside Hills Civic Association President Michael Feiner and members of the community to officially break ground on renovations to Captain Dermody Triangle in Bayside, Queens.

"We are so excited to begin renovations on the historic Captain Dermody Triangle, which was originally dedicated in 1866, and has been a part of the community for nearly 200 years,” said Parks Commissioner Donoghue. "From our largest parks, to our smallest green oases, all open space in the city is precious, and thanks to advocacy from State Senator Liu for this upcoming reconstruction project, this space will soon better serve New Yorkers for generations to come.”

"I'm thrilled to break ground on the renovation of Captain Dermody Triangle in Bayside, and I can't wait to be back soon to cut the ribbon on the park's new features, which will include ADA-accessible entrances, expanded curbs and new trees,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "This is a win for the Bayside community, a win for open space in Queens, and a win for the legacy of Captain Willian C. Dermody, a dedicated and outspoken abolitionist from this very neighborhood.”

State Senator John C. Liu stated, "After many years of planning, we are thrilled to finally be moving forward with this much needed renovation of Captain Dermody Triangle. Not only will this location be a beautiful community amenity adding new trees, plantings and walkways, but it will preserve an important figure of our local history by memorializing Captain William C. Dermody and his service during the Civil War. In this time of increasing political polarization, it's fitting for our community to have places like this to reflect on our past, which saw our country fight against itself, only to come together once again 'For a Better Union.' Many thanks to the Parks Department, Michael Feiner, Sebastian D'Agostino, and the entire Bayside Hills Civic Association for their advocacy on behalf of this project."

"Even before taking office, I have heard how desperately residents wanted a restoration of Captain Dermody Triangle. Today we break ground on a project that has been years in the making thanks to the relentless advocacy of the Eastern Queens community,” said Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. "Parks and green spaces across our city continue to provide families the open space they need to benefit their health and mental well-being. With these improvements to Dermody Triangle, we are not only improving the accessibility of Captain Dermody Triangle, but we are also beautifying and creating a more welcoming space for our communities to enjoy. Thank you to NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Senator John Liu, and all of the community leaders who helped bring this project to fruition.”

This project will completely reconstruct Captain Dermody Triangle. As part of the project, Parks will relocate the northeast entrance to the northwest, creating a new crosswalk to the park from 216th street, and add a wider, ADA accessible entrance ramp from street to park. The Bayside Civil War Memorial Boulder will remain the focal point of the park, and the former bronze plaque will be replicated and mounted on the existing Boulder. New benches and plantings will be added to provide a more welcoming gathering space for park patrons.

The Captain Dermody Triangle reconstruction project was made possible with a $500,000 grant from the NYS Dormitory Authority secured by State Senator John Liu.

This triangle honors Captain William C. Dermody, a dedicated and outspoken abolitionist who was mortally wounded in the Civil War on May 12, 1864 during the battle of Spotsylvania in Virginia. Prior to 1865, this plot of land located on 216th Street and 48th Avenue was the site of the local two-room school-house. In 1866, this site was dedicated to the memory of Captain Dermody by a ceremonial meeting of a Union and Confederate veteran, each planting a special tree: a maple to represent the North and a sycamore to represent the South. The trees were to grow together as a symbol of the communal hope for a better union. To this effect, a monument was placed in the square with the inscription "For a Better Union 1861-1865,” which remains there today. Every Memorial Day, the Bayside Historical Society lays a wreath at the park to commemorate Captain Dermody and those who fought in the Civil War. The Board of Alderman (predecessor of the City Council) officially named this City property for Captain William C. Dermody on March 15, 1937.