Nolita in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Play Street - Little Italy
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 25, 2016
1. Play Street - Little Italy Marker
The marker shows three common street games - stickball, skelsie and jump rope
Inscription.
Play Street - Little Italy. . From the late 1940s to the 1980s, Mulberry Street from Prince to Houston streets in Little Italy often became a “play street” used by the neighborhood’s Italian American youth. Known as “Church Walk” due to the dominance of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and its cemetery wall, the street was a prime location for many street games. These included stickball, a game played with a bat and a pink rubber ball, a “spaldeen.” It is considered to be the most exciting street game ever played by New Yorkers.
Donated by Ciao, Little Italy The National Italian American Foundation 2011 Andrews Lefevre Studios
From the late 1940s to the 1980s, Mulberry Street from Prince to Houston streets in Little Italy often became a “play street” used by the neighborhood’s Italian American youth. Known as “Church Walk” due to the dominance of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and its cemetery wall, the street was a prime location for many street games. These included stickball, a game played with a bat and a pink rubber ball, a “spaldeen.” It is considered to be the most exciting street game ever played by New Yorkers.
Donated by Ciao, Little Italy
The National Italian American Foundation
2011 Andrews Lefevre Studios
Erected by The National Italian American Foundation.
Location. 40° 43.424′ N, 73° 59.735′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Nolita. Marker is on Mulberry Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral rectory. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 263 Mulberry Street, New York NY 10012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Neighborhood - Little Italy (here, next
2. Old St. Patrick's Cathedral rectory, 263 Mulberry Street
The marker is just visible behind the light stanchion on the left.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 25, 2016
3. Ancillary marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
