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.