Williamsburg in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Park for the People
Originally a Lenape homeland, by the late 1800's the East River waterfront was lined with industries manufacturing oil, metal, kerosene, rope, boats, sugar, porcelain, glass, and beer, and shipping products to and from destinations worldwide. This site became a vital barge dock and train yard operating as the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal until industry declined. In 1983 the site was abandoned.
Alongside manufacturing and worker housing, Williamsburg and Greenpoint became home to municipal incinerators, power plants, wastewater treatment and garbage transfer stations to serve the rapidly growing city. To remedy this environmental burden, in 1989 residents in Williamsburg and Greenpoint started a 197a community based planning process to develop the waterfront to benefit the community. Local residents organized as Neighbors Against Garbage to fight the expansion of garbage transfer stations and to advocate for a waterfront park.
After decades of cleanups, protests and relentless advocacy, and with the critical support of Assembly Member Joe Lentol and The Trust for Public Land, this site was purchased and mapped
this page online
In February, 2020 Governor Andrew Cuomo renamed the park for trans activist and icon, Marsha P. Johnson, and in 2021 the park was redesigned with the input of local residents, the TLGBQ+ community, and the family of Marsha P. Johnson to honor her memory and legacy.
Erected by New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is February 2020.
Location. 40° 43.265′ N, 73° 57.692′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Williamsburg. It can be reached from the intersection of Kent Avenue and North 8th Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker stands on the grounds of Marsha P. Johnson State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Kent Ave, Brooklyn NY 11249,
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marsha P. Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); A Meadow in the City (within shouting distance of this marker); What Is Trans? (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Marsha P. Johnson State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); What Are Your Pronouns? (within shouting distance of this marker); Friends on the Fringes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); STAR House (about 400 feet away); A Trans Rights Timeline (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️🌈
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
