Athens Square Park (New York City, New York)

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The Park at Athens Square is named for the capital of modern Greece and the center of ancient Greek civilization. From 594 to 404 BC, literature, science, philosophy, and the arts flourished in Athens. The birthplace of democracy had its golden age during the rule of statesman Pericles (c. 495-429 BC), who made sweeping political reforms and actively supported the arts. Pericles is credited with the Athenian oath of fealty, which has been invoked by New York City mayors Fiorello H. LaGuardia and Rudolph W. Giuliani (in 1934 and 1998 respectively). Oath-takers pledge to “transmit this city not only less, but far greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.” In this spirit Astoria’s citizens transformed a playground into The Park at Athens Square.

In 1963, this .9-acre site was acquired for a playground to be operated jointly by Parks and the Board of Education. A new school and playground were built, and P.S. 17 welcomed its first pupils in 1967. When the park opened four years later, it featured a basketball-volleyball court, handball court, sandbox, climbing equipment, game and picnic tables, and a comfort station. P.S. 17 is named the Henry David Thoreau School, for the American naturalist and philosopher (1812-62).