Little Flower Playground

Madison St. bet. Clinton St. and Rutgers St.

Manhattan

Directions via Google Maps

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

This playground, formerly La Guardia Houses Park, refers to the popular nickname of New York City mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882-1947), Little Flower. The nickname is a literal translation of the Italian mayor’s first name and an allusion to his small physical stature of 5 feet 2 inches. La Guardia, the son of a United States Army bandleader, was born in Little Italy at 177 Sullivan Street. He received his law degree from New York University and was admitted to the bar in 1910. In 1916 La Guardia became the nation’s first Italian American Congressman. La Guardia held various Congressional posts until 1932, and served as president of New York City’s Board of Aldermen, a precursor to the New York City Council, from 1920 to 1921.

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