Ascenzi Square
Ascenzi Square in 2023
Map
TypeUrban green space
LocationWilliamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City
Coordinates40°42′53″N 73°57′25″W / 40.7146°N 73.9570°W / 40.7146; -73.9570
Operated byNew York City Parks Department
OpenAll year

Ascenzi Square is a small plaza formed by the intersection of two street grids that meet at Metropolitan Avenue in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. Roebling Street traverses both grids, making a slight jog to the southwest between North Fourth Street and Metropolitan Avenue. On March 29, 1939, the New York City Council designated this triangle as Ascenzi Square, in honor of brothers Joseph[1] and William[2] Ascenzi, residents of Williamsburg who were killed in the First World War.[3]

Following their deaths, the local American Legion Post 1204 was renamed the Ascenzi Post[4] and in 1938, this organization requested the renaming from the City Council.[5] The two traffic triangles formed by Roebling Street were designated as a Greenstreets park around 2000. Greenstreets is a partnership between the New York City Parks Department and the city Department of Transportation that transforms unused traffic triangles and medians into green spaces.[3][6]

References

  1. ^ New York Times – July 7, 1918 – Joseph Ascenzi death notice
  2. ^ Official U.S. Bulletin - Issues 402-451 - Page 30- October 26, 1918- William Ascenzi death notice
  3. ^ a b "Exhibit to Showcase the Secret Wartime History of a Forgotten Williamsburg Park - Greenpoint Gazette". Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  4. ^ Brooklyn Daily Eagle – August 28, 1941- mention of the Ascenzi Post 1204 of American Legion
  5. ^ Local Laws of the City of New York, Number 24 of 1939
  6. ^ "Ascenzi Square: Sons of Williamsburgh: The Family History of a Neighborhood Landmark". City Reliquary. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.

40°42′53″N 73°57′25″W / 40.7146°N 73.9570°W / 40.7146; -73.9570

Categories