Bennett Park (James Gordon Bennett Park) is a public park in New York City, named for James Gordon Bennett, Sr., the newspaper publisher who launched the New York Herald in 1835. It is located in the Hudson Heights neighborhood of Washington Heights in northern Manhattan, on land purchased by Bennett in 1871, the year before his death.
Bennett Park was built on the site of Fort Washington, from which the Continental Army delayed the advance of British troops in 1776. The commemorative bronze and marble stele (illustration), with sculpture by Charles R. Lamb is located on the eastern perimeter wall of the park.
In the center of the park lies a large outcropping of Manhattan schist. This is the highest natural point in Manhattan, with a square stone tablet attesting to this fact (height: 265 ft, 80.8 meter above sea level). The park occupies two city blocks and is bounded by Fort Washington Avenue, Pinehurst Avenue, 183rd Street and 185th Street. The park is located opposite the northern Fort Washington Avenue entrance of the 181st Street subway station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line (A).
Bennett Park hosts a variety of events, such as the Revolutionary War Reenactment, which Redcoats and George Washington's army actors converge and fight in the park, reenacting the battle of Fort Washington. An annual Harvest Festival is held in Bennett Parks main field, which tends to be a child oriented event.
Famous quotes containing the words bennett and/or park:
“He said “Next time can I bring my friend?”
And I thought “Does he mean friend?”
And I thought “Yes he does mean friend.”
Which was quite bold in those days.
It was the Dark Ages. Men and men.
And they could still put you in prison for it.
And did, dear.”
—Alan Bennett (b. 1934)
“Borrow a child and get on welfare.
Borrow a child and stay in the house all day with the child,
or go to the public park with the child, and take the child
to the welfare office and cry and say your man left you and
be humble and wear your dress and your smile, and don’t talk
back ...”
—Susan Griffin (b. 1943)