Parkchester in the Bronx in Bronx County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Chief Dennis L. Devlin Park
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What was here before?
This park is in Unionport, which in the early 1900s was one of the Westchester towns that became part of the Bronx. Unlike the cultivated estates of Morrisania and West Farms, Unionport was characterized by dirt roads, wooden sidewalks, frame houses with hitching posts, and taverns.
By 1924 a group of apartment buildings and two-story shops, including a market, shoe repair business, and barber were located on this site. In 1948, construction started on the Cross-Bronx Expressway, a six-lane highway across the South Bronx. Completed in 1963, it was one of Robert Moses' most controversial undertakings. Hundreds of apartment buildings, including those on this parcel and many one- and two-family houses, were demolished to make way for the new thoroughfare, forcing thousands of Bronx residents to seek new homes. The neighborhood took on a new character as high-rise housing projects replaced the smaller buildings and local streets became exit ramps for the highway.
How did this site become a park?
During the construction of the Cross-Bronx Expressway, a series of grassy plots were slated for park use alongside the new roadway. In 1946, the Board of Estimate transferred control of these parcels to Parks, which immediately began plans for construction. For decades, this large triangle was a paved sitting area bordered by mature London plane trees and benches.
In 1996, Parks named the property Olmstead Triangle after the adjacent Olmstead Avenue. Originally called Avenue D, the street name was officially changed in 1915 to honor some of the town's early settlers. In 2004 the park was named after Chief Dennis L. Devlin.
Who is this park named for?
This park honors Chief Dennis L. Devlin, who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Devlin was an active member of his Washingtonville,
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Devlin continued through the ranks and was promoted to battalion chief assigned to the Ninth Battalion in Manhattan in 1998. His last assignment was Division 3 on West 77th Street where he served as the NYC Special Events Coordinator. On Sept. 11, 2001, Devlin responded to the World Trade Center immediately after seeing the attack unfold on television and tragically lost his life that day.
Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 301.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 9/11 Attacks • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 2001.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 49.923′ N, 73° 51.287′ W. Marker was in Bronx, New York, in Bronx County. It was in Parkchester. It was on Cross Bronx Expressway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: FDNY-EMT Yadira Arroyo Playground (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hugh J. Grant Circle (approx. 0.3 miles away); Parkchester War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); St . Peter's Church Westchester (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Historical Marker (approx. 0.9 miles away); Noble Playground (approx. 0.9 miles away); GreenThumb (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bronx.
Additional keywords. urban displacement
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 22, 2026. 2. submitted on September 22, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
