Irving Square Park

Irving Square Park dates back to the days where Bosjwick was primarily fields and farmland. It is likely named after prolific New York born writer Washington Irving, who famously penned a comedic “history” of New York under the pen named “Diedrich Knickerbocker”. The word Knickerbocker - one that you will obviously come across a lot in Bushwick - means of Dutch settler origins. It is also the name of New York’s first and most famous basketball team. #LetsGoKnicks

On a regular day in Irving Square Park you’ll see families hanging out, skaters getting some practice, and before the ‘Rona, music and art festivals in the summertime. Community Board 4 also hosts an annual parade that ends in the park with a resource fair for the community.

Green Benches

By Shy Richardson

I got hit with a chicken bone

while reading about Depression-era communists 

on a park bench 

in Bushwick. 

I looked around as my body 

tensed up, ready for the static 

that has historically accompanied

flying food items in the hood. 

A quick scan 

I couldn’t locate 

the origin of this chicken bone. 

Not a Chinese takeout plate,

pair of waiting eyes,

or sneering person in sight.

A second later, 

a boy no more than 5 

rolls up
on a tiny two wheeler, 

bag of chicken wings in tow. 

“I sorry,”

he says, and rolls away,

crumpled pages of history

in his wake.

Some days 

I miss the static

This city is so easy to love.