Forest Mall

Forest Ave. bet. Haven Esplanade and Duer La.

Staten Island

Directions via Google Maps

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

Planted with shrubs and evergreens, this long grassy strip gets its name from the thoroughfare it bisects, Forest Avenue.

Malls such as this one have undergone an interesting evolution that parallels the growth of cities. As cities began industrializing, the need for green space became more acute. Among the innovations for incorporating green space within the city streetscape was the mall. The first malls, appearing in 16th century France and Italy, were about 400 yards long and had a grass-covered playing field located between two roadways, used for matches of the game “pall-mall.” As the popularity of malls spread to London, people used them to stroll, play, and hold military parades.

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