Joseph Rodman Drake Park & Enslaved African Burial Ground

A Glimpse into History

Located in Hunts Point is a modest 2.5-acre green space that tells a powerful story of our past. This park contains two colonial-era cemeteries dating back to the late 17th century. The land, originally acquired by Thomas Hunt, includes the Hunt-Willett-Leggett Cemetery where early settler families were laid to rest.

Perhaps more poignantly, the park preserves an enslaved people's burial ground for those forced to labor for these early families. While the settler cemetery remains protected by an iron fence with visible gravestones, the enslaved people's burial ground stands without markers - a silent testament to historical inequities.

From Poetry to Recognition

The park was established in 1910 to preserve the grave of Joseph Rodman Drake, a 19th-century poet and friend of the Hunt family, alongside other early Bronx settlers. The pathways you'll walk today date from a renovation completed in 1952-53.

In 2021, something important happened: the park was officially renamed to acknowledge the presence of the enslaved people's burial ground. This change came about through new research and thoughtful community input. Despite the surrounding area evolving into a predominantly industrial landscape, the park continues to offer a pocket of greenery with beautiful mature trees.

Uncovering Hidden Stories

Recent investigations using ground-penetrating radar have identified human burials in the section now recognized as the enslaved people's burial ground. These discoveries have brought renewed attention to this site's historical significance.

Protected for Posterity

In December 2023, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the park and burial ground as an individual landmark. This status ensures this historically significant site will be preserved and protected for future generations.

What to Expect When You Visit

The park features a simple layout with paved paths winding through greenspace and around the historic cemetery. Many people feel a profound connection to history when visiting - it's a place that invites quiet reflection.

Note that while you'll enjoy shade from mature trees, the park lacks amenities like benches or seating areas, which might limit how long you'll want to stay. This isn't a place for recreation so much as a space for remembering and honoring the past.