Washington Park in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Tropical Oasis

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 4, 2026

1. A Tropical Oasis Marker

Inscription. Originally part of the 1806 "Middle Square," this was the first area of the park to be reopened as Washington Park in 1871. It was not until 1878 that 25,000 plants were brought here to create a large "tropical" garden. In the late 1950s, the garden's 35-foot-diameter central flowerbed was removed and the area cut in half when Lancaster Street was extended into the park. Since then, the gardens have dwindled. The paths and the outline of some beds can be seen north of Lancaster, but where you stand virtually no evidence remains.

Text on Lower Left: Want to know more? Visit the Washington Park Conservancy exhibit at the Lakehouse or www.washingtonparkconservancy.org Made possible by a grant from the Bender family foundation.

Erected by Washington Park Conservancy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 42° 39.337′ N, 73° 46.029′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Washington Park. It is on Lancaster Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 285 Lancaster St, Albany NY 12210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Capital District.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in 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: Glynn Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parading and Promenading (about 400 feet away); Albany Soldiers and Sailors Memorial (about 400 feet away); In Grateful Memory of Colonel Marinus Willett (about 500 feet away); 1883 (about 500 feet away); 366 Hudson Avenue (about 600 feet away); 397 State Street (about 600 feet away); Edgar Johnson (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 4, 2026

2. A Tropical Oasis Marker

Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 4, 2026

3. A Tropical Oasis Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.