Malcolm X Park
Location
Poughkeepsie, NY
Status
Stewarding
Construction Completion
2023
Site Area
1.3 Acres
Construction Cost
$1.6 million
People Served
5,125
Design Consultants
MASS Design Group, Site Works, and Barton Loguidice
Special Features
Rain gardens, native plants, community mural, bioswale
Malcolm X Park, situated along the Fall Kill Creek in Poughkeepsie, NY’s Northside, suffered from decades of deferred maintenance. Before it was renamed Malcolm X Park, the lot on Mansion Street between Morse School and Beulah Baptist Church was called Morse School Park. Litter and disrepair had become commonplace in the park during the late 1970s, prompting many to call for change. In the summer of 1978, inspired by a vision to see something different, several high school graduates and high school students petitioned the city to rename the park Malcolm X Park. Behind their idea was the realization that there was no monument in the city to honor Malcolm X—as well as the belief that young people would have a greater respect for the property if it carried Malcolm X’s name.
Decades later in 2020, the city committed to restoring and revitalizing the park in partnership with New City Parks, Scenic Hudson, and local community groups. The city also received funding from the State’s Environmental Facilities Corporation to incorporate green infrastructure elements into the park renovations.
After an extensive community design process led by NCP, Scenic Hudson, and MASS Design Group, the revitalized Malcolm X Park re-opened in 2023 at a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the mayor. Visitors to the park now enjoy new playground equipment, a large park pavilion, and resurfaced basketball courts with new hoops, backboards, and bleachers. To complement these focal points, the park features new trees and native shrubs, walking paths, new benches, picnic tables and grills. When park-goers arrive, they are greeted by a community designed and painted mural honoring the legacy of the park’s namesake, Malcolm X.
Beyond being a place for play and relaxation, the park is designed to help alleviate future impacts of the climate crisis. Rain gardens and bioswales built to mitigate flood events and improve water quality in the Fall Kill are planted with native shrubs and perennials that will provide essential habitat to boost creekside biodiversity. These features will also provide opportunities for future generations to learn from and enjoy nature in the city.
New City Parks continues its work in the park since its completion. Together, with community partner Scenic Hudson, NCP provides seed funding to program and steward the park for the future. Community-led programming has included a basketball tournament for middle schoolers, environmental education programs, mental health awareness and creative arts initiatives.
Proposed plan for Malcolm X Park. Image courtesy of MASS Studio.
Press
Hudson Valley Press June 14, 2023 - Ceremony Marks Reopening of Malcolm X Park.
Mid Hudson News June 10, 2023 - Restored Malcolm X Park reopens.
Poughkeepsie Journal June 6, 2023 - Take a look at improvements to Malcolm X Park in City of Poughkeepsie.
Mid Hudson News September 28, 2021 - Poughkeepsie to upgrade city parks with federal rescue plans.
Mid Hudson News September 24, 2021 – Community Gets First Look at Malcolm X Park.
Mid Hudson News April 20, 2021 - Poughkeepsie to address upgrades to City Parks.
Community Partners
Art Effect, Beulah Baptist Church, The Brain and Body Coalition, Crazy Over ART On Tour, Charlia Frank Inc., City of Poughkeepsie Mayor’s Office and Department of Public Works, The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns, Esperanza Dutchess County Hispanic Organization, MASS Design, Nubian Directions II, NY Flight 845, Scenic Hudson, Student Conservation Association, PARKnership, Poughkeepsie City School District
