Ewen Park

What was here before?

This site was originally part of the Frederick Van Cortlandt Estate. In 1836, James R. Whiting purchased 200 acres, and subsequently sold about 150 acres to General John Ewen and his brother Daniel. They built their country estates in what was then Westchester County. The Ewen estate was located where there is currently a park dog run. When John Ewen died in 1877 his wife and son were already deceased, and he left his estate and money to his daughters Caroline, Louise, and Eliza.

The city built up around the formerly rural estate, and in 1916 Eliza Ewen wrote to the Bronx Parks Commissioner offering several acres of her land to the city in honor of her father, on the condition that she be “allowed the use of the buildings and grounds for the remainder of her life undisturbed and without any changes in the grounds.” While this might be interpreted as an altruistic donation, some believe it was an attempt to protect her assets from her sister Louise’s disreputable lovers and Eliza’s own son who had contested her sister’s wills.

How did this site become a park?

The park was designed in 1935, following Eliza’s death. Ewen Park was renovated in 1955, 1973, and 1980. In 1999, the large flight of stairs that connects the diverse communities of Kingsbridge and Riverdale was reconstructed, and it remains the park’s distinguishing feature. At each end of the stairway is a granite marker inscribed with “CLX Steps,” or 160 in Roman numerals; however, there are only 158 steps. When the stairs were reconstructed, two steps were removed but the signs remained.

The park boasts a dog run, playground, basketball courts, and a large, wooded area as well.

What is this park named for?

John Ewen was a civil engineer who participated in the surveying and planning of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He went on to serve as the chief engineer for the New York and Harlem Railroad, the Street Commissioner for New York City, and was the city comptroller from 1845 and 1848. He was also a successful businessman who was elected president of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. The company had a coal depot in the New York town of Port Ewen, which also takes his name.

Ewen also served as brigadier general in New York State's National Guard during the Civil War and was sent with troops to aid Union forces fighting in Pennsylvania.