Mary O'Connor Playground

What was here before?
This was once the site of Turtle Bay Farm, owned by businessman Francis Bayard Winthrop (1754-1817) and his family. It roughly extended from Third Avenue to the East River between East 40th and East 49th Streets, with the manor situated by East 43rd Street and First Avenue.

In the late 1800s, the old estates in the area were divided into lots and developed. There were many slaughterhouses, breweries, coal yards, and tenements. The neighborhood was revitalized in the 1920s, with new and updated housing developments such as Turtle Bay Gardens and Tudor City.

How did this site become a playground?
Mary O’Connor Playground was built in 1950 as a sister site to Tudor Grove Playground opposite it on the south side of East 42nd Street. Both playgrounds were condemned properties transferred to NYC Parks in 1948. The year of the playgrounds’ completion coincided with the United Nations’ relocation to the East Side which provided public green spaces for the new influx of people.

This site was called Tudor City North Playground from its dedication in July 1950 until November 1991, when Community Board Six unanimously passed a resolution to rename the playground in honor of Mary O’Connor.

In 1993, NYC Parks reconstructed the brick wall around the property’s perimeter, added bluestone pavement, and installed a row of benches and a new play structure. It was rededicated in 1995.

In 2023 the playground was rebuilt with new play structures and safety surfacing.

Who is this playground named for?
Mary O’Connor (1911-1991) was a well-known community activist and resident of Tudor City. Devoted to her neighborhood, O'Conner's principal concerns was the preservation of Tudor City Parks from commercial development. She held a seat on Community Board Six for fifteen years and served one term (1983-1984) as chairwoman. Ever vigilant against commercial development, O’Connor was active in the successful campaign to win landmark designation for Tudor City.