Forest Park

How did this site become a park?

Forest Park, including this triangle, was acquired by the City of Brooklyn between 1895 and 1898 and became property of the City of New York after consolidation of the five boroughs in 1898. This triangle was created alongside the construction of Jackson Pond Playground across the street around 1941.

Who is this triangle named for?

This site is named in honor of Jayne Carlson (1946-2000), a local resident of Richmond Hill and active community member. Carlson lived in Richmond Hill for almost her entire life, attending the area public schools and graduating from Richmond Hill High School. From 1984 to 1994, she worked in the school as an aide and supervisor in the computer lab.

She served as Vice President of the Richmond Hill Block Association for two decades and helped grow their annual park fair among other fundraising efforts for the park.

In addition to her park advocacy, Carlson donated her time and support to many organizations. She was on the executive board of the PTA at her childrens’ school, P.S. 66, and a member of the Parents Association at Archbishop Molloy High School. She founded the Coalition to Save Engine 294 in 1975, and again in 1990 when the local firehouse was closed. Carlson also volunteered with several organizations associated with the New York City Fire Department, where her husband Howard Carlson, Chief of Battalion 51 in Richmond Hill, worked for 32 years. Carlson died in 2000, after a 10-year illness, and is survived by her husband and two children. Today the triangle serves as a lasting tribute to her memory.

Know Before You Go

Forest Park Visitor Center

Forest Park