September 18, 2022
Rev. T. Wendell Foster Was First African American City Councilmember to Represent Bronx
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams was immediately joined by New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue and the household of the late Reverend T. Wendell Foster for the official renaming of Mullaly Park and the Mullaly Recreation Center to the “Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park” and the “Reverend T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center” in the Bronx. Reverend Foster was the pastor of the Christ Church in Morrisania and the primary Black consultant from the Bronx in the New York City Council, the place he championed low-income housing and served as long-time chair of the City Council’s Parks Committee.
“Reverend T. Wendell Foster was not only the first Black City Council member from the Bronx, but a giant in New York City politics,” stated Mayor Adams. “Reverend Foster broke down barriers and inspired many, including me. He stood tall for the Bronx, and never gave up on this city or its people. I know that the Reverent T. Wendell Foster Park will inspire generations of future leaders to come, reminding us to live with courage and integrity, as he did.”
“Our parks and greenspaces are as varied as the communities they serve, and we are beyond proud to continue our efforts of renaming park spaces in honor of the Black experience. Names like Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park serve as physical representations of the contributions and legacies of some of our city’s and country’s most prominent Black Americans,” stated NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “Wendell Foster was a force in New York City politics and an inspiration to countless New Yorkers, and we hope the renaming of this park promotes reflection and inspiration for our next generation of changemakers in the city.”
In response to group requests, NYC Parks introduced its plans to formally rename Mullaly Park in honor of Rev. T. Wendell Foster, for a September 2022 renaming in accordance with NYC Parks’ coverage of naming three years posthumous.
NYC Parks introduced its first tranche of namings in June 2020, when the company created Juneteenth Grove at Cadman Plaza Park. Since then, 28 inexperienced areas have been named in recognition of the Black expertise throughout all 5 boroughs.
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