One of the oldest public squares in Manhattan, at over 150 years old. Originally known as Mount Morris Square for more than a hundred years, it was part of the estate of Metje Cornelius Kortright.
The park itself dates back to the 1811 Commissioners' Plan for Manhattan, which called for a square in a slightly different location, between 6th and 7th Avenues and West 117th and West 121st Streets. The prospect of breaking through rocky Mount Morris led the City to build the new square there instead. Mount Morris Square opened on December 1, 1840.
A park design by the City's Chief Landscape Gardener, Ignatz A. Pilat, was built from 1867 to 1871 and remained intact until the 1930s. The park saw no significant upgrades or changes since the 1900s, so in the 1930s Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, with the help of the Federal Works Progress Administration, installed playgrounds and a system of stone walls, terraces and stairs that remains in place today.
In the mid-1960’s The City constructed a pool, a new recreation center and an amphitheater.
In 1973 the part was renamed “Marcus Garvey Park” in honor of black nationalist Marcus Garvey.
One of the first neighborhoods in Harlem to be “developed” following the introduction of elevated rail service in the 1880s, the Mount Morris Park Historic District features some of the area's grandest brownstones. Many important local institutions surround the park including the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library, North General Hospital and PS 79.
The park itself dates back to the 1811 Commissioners' Plan for Manhattan, which called for a square in a slightly different location, between 6th and 7th Avenues and West 117th and West 121st Streets. The prospect of breaking through rocky Mount Morris led the City to build the new square there instead. Mount Morris Square opened on December 1, 1840.
A park design by the City's Chief Landscape Gardener, Ignatz A. Pilat, was built from 1867 to 1871 and remained intact until the 1930s. The park saw no significant upgrades or changes since the 1900s, so in the 1930s Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, with the help of the Federal Works Progress Administration, installed playgrounds and a system of stone walls, terraces and stairs that remains in place today.
In the mid-1960’s The City constructed a pool, a new recreation center and an amphitheater.
In 1973 the part was renamed “Marcus Garvey Park” in honor of black nationalist Marcus Garvey.
One of the first neighborhoods in Harlem to be “developed” following the introduction of elevated rail service in the 1880s, the Mount Morris Park Historic District features some of the area's grandest brownstones. Many important local institutions surround the park including the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library, North General Hospital and PS 79.
The park is bordered by Mt. Morris Park, & Madison Avenue(East and West) and 120 and 124 Street (north and south).
The park is full of color at this time of the year, so I decided to capture the rich colors of the trees against the gray skies. For comparison I took pictures the next day, but don't think they capture the vibrant colors of the park.
The original entry gates at 120 Street and Fifth Avenue.
From Street level to the top of the park, know as the Acropolis, is seventy plus feet.
Here you can see the rock formations that make up Snake Hill, which the Acropolis sits atop.
The East Mall.
The northern end of the Mall looking south.
Harlem is known for beautiful architecture and
the Mt. Morris Historical District is home to some of Manhattans most beautiful Brownstones.
the Mt. Morris Historical District is home to some of Manhattans most beautiful Brownstones.
Something new ... something old..
The Red Brick French Gable Homes. These five homes are one of a kind in New York.
Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. This was the last white majority congregation church in Harlem. In 1943, the black parishioners outnumbered the white. The building is made of granite with bands of gold Roman.
When I moved to Harlem, this block was known as the Parkside Correctional Facility. The area, between 120 and 121 Streets, was in such disrepair it was known as "the ruins". The facility comprised the shells of the neo-classical and French Renaissance row houses.
The Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association intervened and now these late 1800's homes have been returned to their former glory. The buildings have been converted to duplex condos. At the time they were renovated, you could have purchased a unit for approximate $155,000. Today those units are valued at $650,000 to $700,000. OUCH! Why didn't I buy then?? UGH! About 3 or 4 years ago, one of the units was listed for over $900,000.
I'm stoop-a-fied! I love Brownstone stoops and the varying designs of each home.
These features add to the overall design and character of the neighborhood.
Well back into the park. As you can see the park is accessible by all modes of transportation!
The amphitheater was a gift from Richard Rogers, who grew up across the street.
The amphitheater seats 1,600 and is designed to house a 75 person orchestra.
The amphitheater has seen better days however, it plays host to a number of community events. 
The recently renovated baseball field. Little League baseball is serious business! The kids that participate do not play around.
They are very methodical and want to win! The games are more intense than MLB games and the kids play with a lot of heart and soul.
Hats off to the neighborhood volunteers that keep the Park clean and spiffy! 
It's a long winding way to the top. Mr. Squirrel had to take a break.
WHEW....the top of the Acropolis.
On a clear day you have 360∘views of the five boroughs.
Not so clear today but changing colors of the leaves provided for great photos. 
Looking north to the Bronx
Looking Northeast toward Queens and LaGuardia Airport
Looking Southeast toward the Upper Eastside
Looking Southwest to the Upper Westside
The Watchtower. New York City constructed 11 cast-iron watchtowers throughout the city, starting in the 1850's. The Mount Morris Fire Watchtower, is the remain watchtower. The tower was designated a New York City landmark in 1967 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The bell weighs 10,000 pounds!
The rain is coming down at a pretty good clip...time to go.
Going down is most certainly easier than going up!
The next morning, it's bright and sunny.
So I climb to the top again.
Looking Northeast to Queens.
The Bronx. Yankee stadium in the center of the photo
The Upper Westside and The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
Looking south down Fifth Avenue. Empire State Building in the Background.
I hope you've enjoyed this tour of the Mt. Morris Neighborhood and Marcus Garvey Park.
