Twenty-Four Sycamores Park

What was here before?
Historically, most of this parcel was underwater, with the original East River shoreline cutting along the southwestern corner of the park in front of the public restroom. In the early eighteenth century, the small portion above water was part of Thomas C. Pearsall’s farm. In 1809 Pearsall also acquired the deed for the Mount Vernon Hotel and property, which bordered his farm to the north. The elegant stone carriage house that accompanied the mansion remains one block east on East 61st Street as a landmarked museum.

The upland piece of this property was ultimately owned by the Standard Oil Company of New York (Socony), the predecessor of Mobil Oil. A small diner stood where the current bathrooms are located. 

In the 1920s or 1930s, the underwater portion of this park was filled in, but remained vacant until the State of New York granted it to the City in 1942. 

How did this site become a park?
The Commissioner of Marine and Aviation transferred the property that was formerly submerged to NYC Parks in 1943. Parks bought the remaining parcel on the block from Socony months later. 

Opening shortly after, the playground included an open area for roller skating, a pipe frame exercise unit, and a shower basin at the north end of the park, as well as a handball court and a public restroom.

In 1992, the Friends of 24 Sycamores was formed to advocate for the reconstruction of the playground. In 1995, the existing handball courts were reconstructed, new play equipment was installed, and a spray shower, basketball courts, and new drinking fountains and benches were added. Seating areas were redesigned, and the site was made universally accessible. Over time, a sinkhole formed due to the instability of the landfill under the park though it was later filled and stabilized. In 2021 the public restroom was rebuilt.

What is this park named for?
The playground was unnamed until 1985, when it was given its present name as a protective measure when a real estate developer sought to raze the land as part of a high-rise building project. The name warned prospective developers that the trees, also known as London planetrees, were carefully counted and their destruction would not go undetected. Although the number and type of trees on the property has changed, the name of the playground has remained.