Our Park
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Von King Park is an exceptional treasure that was one of the first commissioned parks in Brooklyn in the 1850’s. The park was designed by the same landscape architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed both Central and Prospect Parks. Currently within the 7.82 acres of Von King Park there is a baseball field, a cultural center building which unfortunately has been closed since April of this year for renovation of the lower level auditorium for the next two years. The cultural center contained an indoor theater, commercial kitchen, pottery class with two kilns, wooden puppet shop, multi-purpose room, computer room and baby grand piano. The park also has two dog runs, a half basketball court, two hand ball courts, two play grounds, picnic grounds, various open fields and an outdoor amphitheater.
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We Love Our Park and Know That You Will Too!
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The layout is rich and packed with amenities that many people in the community are not fully aware of. The full optimization and upkeep however, of Von King Park is totally sub-par. It has suffered many reductions in staffing for grounds upkeep and building maintenance. Many of the amenities need serious upgrading and renovations. Their after school program has been cut this year and the cultural center has never lived up to that name designation. The implementation of the Conservancy will put in place consistent people, resources and systems that will bring the park and the cultural center to a high functioning level and make the community more aware of all it has to offer.
This park was formerly known as Tompkins Park after Daniel D. Tompkins an abolitionist who served four terms as Governor of New York and two terms as vice president of the United States under President James Monroe. The original park design was a parade ground and over the 145 years of the parks existence it went through various changes that added and removed various amenities. The current park now has recreational, entertainment and relaxing components that make it a great attraction for all.
With the continual evolution of the park a renaming happened in 1985 by Councilmember Mary Pinkett who wanted to honor Herbert Von King (1912-1985) for his dedication as an active community leader for over 50 years in the Bedford Stuyvesant Community. King was called the Mayor of Bedford Stuyvesant due to his extensive involvement throughout the community. He founded Boy Scout Throop 219 in 1933, was a member of the local school board, the Police Civilian Committee and the Magnolia Tree Earth Center. Two other community giants names are also a part of Von King Park namely Eubie Blake who’s name is on the Auditorium inside the cultural center and Almira Kennedy Coursey who’s name is on the outdoor amphitheatre.
This park was formerly known as Tompkins Park after Daniel D. Tompkins an abolitionist who served four terms as Governor of New York and two terms as vice president of the United States under President James Monroe. The original park design was a parade ground and over the 145 years of the parks existence it went through various changes that added and removed various amenities. The current park now has recreational, entertainment and relaxing components that make it a great attraction for all.
With the continual evolution of the park a renaming happened in 1985 by Councilmember Mary Pinkett who wanted to honor Herbert Von King (1912-1985) for his dedication as an active community leader for over 50 years in the Bedford Stuyvesant Community. King was called the Mayor of Bedford Stuyvesant due to his extensive involvement throughout the community. He founded Boy Scout Throop 219 in 1933, was a member of the local school board, the Police Civilian Committee and the Magnolia Tree Earth Center. Two other community giants names are also a part of Von King Park namely Eubie Blake who’s name is on the Auditorium inside the cultural center and Almira Kennedy Coursey who’s name is on the outdoor amphitheatre.