The Montefiore Square Park, located on Broadway and Hamilton Place at 138th Street, was opened in 2022 amidst great fanfare of plans for a village square to fuel the revitalization of the southern end of the Hamilton Heights neighborhood. Instead, over two years, the only activities that materialized were the return of illegal vending, encampments of the unhoused, and those with mental health needs. The City, under the auspices of The New York City Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP), Transportation (DOT), Parks and Recreation (Parks), and Design and Construction (DDC), completed the expansion and re-design of the park square at the whopping cost of $18.4 million and placed under the stewardship of the Montefiore Neighborhood Park Association. What has happened since 2022? Very little. Montefiore Square Park lies fallow for two years with interspersed holiday tree lighting and music performances. Is there renewed hope for Montefiore Square Park? Perhaps. The new council member Shaun Abreau and Montefiore Neighborhood Park Association will sponsor a community forum on Tuesday, February 27th, at P.S. 192 to discuss neighborhood safety and other issues related to the park. Community residents and surrounding business owners are encouraged to attend.
