Police Officer John G. Scarangella Park

What was here before?
This park is situated in Gravesend, a neighborhood with a name influenced by both Dutch and English heritage. The name is likely derived from the Dutch words Grafes and Ande, meaning "end of the grove," although it may also reference the English city of Gravesend near the settlement founder Lady Deborah Moody's former home at the mouth of the Thames River. On December 19, 1645, Dutch Governor Kieft granted Moody the first town charter written in English in the New World.

Lady Moody played a key role in shaping the area, establishing the first block grid layout in her design of Gravesend. The town remained largely rural for over two centuries following her death in 1659. Toward the late 19th century, Dutch and German farmers joined the English settlers working the land. However, in 1894, Gravesend was incorporated into the City of Brooklyn, and the arrival of rail lines at the century's end marked the end of the area's pastoral character.

How did this site become a playground?
New York City acquired the site by condemnation in 1928 and 1930 and became parkland shortly after.  John G. Scarangella Playground, which was originally known as the Lafayette High School Playground after the school across the street, was reconstructed in 1969.  In 1992, it was renamed John G. Scarangella Playground.

There is a baseball field, basketball court, playground, and spray showers.

Who is this playground named for?
This playground is named in memory of New York City Police Officer John Gerard Scarangella (1940-1981).  

Scarangella was one of five children born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrants.  A graduate of the adjacent Lafayette High School, he was an avid participant in Police Athletic League programs as a child. In 1969, Scarangella, along with three of his siblings, joined the New York City Police Department.

Known familiarly as Jerry, Scarangella lived in Nassau County with his wife, Vivian, and their four children, Gina, Julie, Tommy and Gerard.  Over the next twelve years, he served in the 60th, 67th, and 113th Precincts and was awarded two commendations, two Meritorious Police Duty Citations, and five Excellent Police Duty Awards.   On April 16, 1981, while on duty in St. Albans, Queens, Scarangella and his partner, Richard Rainey, were shot thirty times during a traffic stop.  Rainey survived, but Scarangella died of his wounds on May 1, 1981.  The gunmen were caught, tried, and convicted.