This spacious park is named for St. Nicholas of Myra. It is located at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue, 127th Street, St. Nicholas Terrace and 141st Street, bordering the Manhattan neighborhoods of Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, and Harlem.
Like Harlem’s other “ribbon parks,” St. Nicholas was built on a rugged mass of rock, following the steep and irregular topography of northern Manhattan. Landscape architect and Parks Commissioner Samuel Parsons Jr. (1844-1920) was responsible for the design of the rustic park, of which he said a “dominant note must be followed with a harmonious treatment, a high hill made higher, a rugged slope more rugged, a deep valley made deeper, thus invariably following nature’s lead.”
Since 1995, Harlem community members and City College joined together to “Take Back St. Nicholas Park.” Neighborhood groups participating in the initiative to make the park a cleaner and safer place included the Hamilton Heights Homeowners Association, A. Philip Randolph High School, Thurgood Marshall School, the Community Helpers, and the Harlem YMCA. In 1996, new play equipment, rehabilitated basketball courts, improved safety surfacing, a frog spray shower, a drinking fountain, World’s Fair benches, and a community bulletin board were installed.
City Park
Barbequing, basketball courts, dog-friendly areas, Hamilton Grange National Memorial, handball courts, picnic tables, and playgrounds
Photo_St. Nicholas Park_Restroom Sign
Photo_ St. Nicholas Park_Ramp Entrance_St. Nicholas Ave. and W. 133 St.
Photo_St. Nicholas Park_Main Entrance and Bus Stop