Maria Hernandez Park is a municipal park in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York. It is located between Knickerbocker Avenue on the southwest to Irving Avenue on the northeast, and Starr Street on the northwest to Suydam Street on the southeast. The park is 6.87 acres (2.78 ha) and is near the Jefferson Street (BMT Canarsie Line) station and the M subway. Maria Hernandez Park also has four wheelchair accessible entrances. It has a newly renovated basketball court, handball court, fitness equipment, spray showers and benches, and a newly built performance stage. The playground was rebuilt with brand new equipment thanks to funds from the Mayor and the City Council.[1]
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The park was named after Maria Hernandez who lived in Bushwick and fought against drug dealers in the neighborhood. Maria was born in Brooklyn in 1953 and lived in Bushwick until 1989. She was educated at public schools in the borough and went to New York University for Accounting. Maria Hernandez and her husband tried to evict drug dealers from her neighborhood of Bushwick. They tried to stop them by rallying support for their efforts and educating her neighbors about the need to evict the drug dealers. She organized block parties and community gatherings. On August 8, 1989 Maria was shot 5 times through her window in her apartment on Starr Street. She later died. Because Maria was a brave and committed role model in the community, the park was renamed in her honor.[2]
Previously, the park was known as Bushwick Park. The City of Brooklyn purchased the land for Bushwick Park from several landowners including Phineas T. Barnum. The park was transformed into a showplace park by 1896. Bushwick Park was a popular spot for neighborhood recreation, such as holiday celebrations, croquet matches, dancing and baseball games.
Maria Hernandez Park saw another transformation in the 1930s with the addition of new sliding boards, sand boxes, and swing sets installed in the playground. A new softball field with bleachers was constructed. Five years after the park was renamed for Maria Hernandez, it underwent an intensive five-day clean-up and repair campaign. Park workers removed broken glass, debris, and graffiti; repaired and painted benches and fencing; restored the ball field; and cleaned the sewer line.
Maria Hernandez Park was the Park of the Month in December 2006. The city and community renovated it with a new basketball court and new fences. They also added a stage for shows and new benches, which they painted. Maria Hernandez Park won because everyone in the community has a safe place to gather and play. Park of the Month also introduces people to different parks in New York City. It also won the Lily Bartle Park of the Month award in January 2007.