West Brighton on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Austin J. McDonald Park
1.357 acres
This park honors Austin J. McDonald (1892-1918) a New York City resident killed in the line of duty during World War I. Located in Staten Island on Forest Avenue in West Brighton, it is one of nine playgrounds built by the Parks Department through a war memorial fund that were simultaneously opened on July 15, 1934.
Austin J. McDonald was born in New York City, he graduated from Curtis High School in Staten Island, and then from City College in 1913. He also studied and New York University and was employed as an auditor for the Penn Coal and Oaks Company until the war. McDonald enlisted in Company E, 107th Infantry, 27th Division on April 6, 1917, and was killed in action at St. Quentin Canal, Hindenburg Line, France, on September 29, 1918, just six weeks before the armistice and the end of World War I. His body was brought back to the United States and interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
In 1918, the War Memorial Fund was established to create a $1 million Memorial Arch to commemorate those killed in World War I. The organizers were forced to adjust their plans when they were only able to raise $120,000.
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The legal ruling that paved the way for NYC Parks to build the playgrounds stipulated that each property be dedicated as war memorials and contain bronze tablets commemorating fallen soldiers. The nine War Memorial Playgrounds built with the money are scattered throughout the City; two are in Manhattan, two in Queens, two in Staten Island, two in the Bronx, and one in Brooklyn. The other Staten Island playground is Nicholas De Matti Park, located on Tompkins Avenue between Chestnut Avenue and Shaughnessy Lane. The soldiers' names for the dedicated playgrounds were selected by various veterans' organizations.
The War Memorial Fund was transferred to NYC Parks on March 19, 1934, and with additional funding from the Federal Temporary Emergency Relief Administration, the nine playgrounds
Austin J. MacDonald Park features play areas for both toddlers and older children, several basketball courts, adult fitness equipment, a sitting area, and a comfort station. This site was renovated in 2017-2018 through the Community Parks Initiative—a multi-faceted program to increase the accessibility and quality of Parks throughout the five boroughs in an equitable manner.
Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 300.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1934.
Location. 40° 37.751′ N, 74° 6.903′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in West Brighton. It is on Forest Avenue east of Broadway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 773 Forest Ave, Staten Island NY 10310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Austin J. McDonald Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Eagle (approx. ¼ mile away); Mangalitsa Pig (approx. 0.3 miles away); North American River Otters (approx. 0.3 miles away); Arctic Fox / Red Fox (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ducks (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vanishing Cats (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dr. Patricia O'Connor Halloran (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
