Lenapehoking CHP Acknowledgement

Friends of City Hall Park Proposal 3/30/2025

Collaboration with Lenape Center

Park improvements provide worthy recognition to the Lenape nation in our historic city commons in order to remedy their omission in civic center historic signage, as well as a reminder of the natural origins of our metropolis to all who pass by.

This act is an acknowledgment of the land for the Lenape initiated by Friends of City Hall Park, a contemporary group of citizens who use and love the park, and who volunteer to assist Parks Dept care for the park, and proposed to be sponsored by Councilmember Chris Marte, NYS Senator Brian Kavanagh, NYS Assemblymember Deborah Glick, NY Congressmember Dan Goldman, and Community Board 1.

1.     Lenapehoking Plaza –  Northeast Plaza named with 2 DOT street signs, 5 Lenapehoking Boulders, Historical Signs, civic ceremony, Lenape ceremony + park amenities.

• 5 Lenapehoking Boulders from upstate (Putnam County likely). Provided by Lenape Center.

• Historical Signs - Brief text about the Boulder, the plaza, the Lenape, & Lenapehoking; illustration & map of forest land where CHP is; map of Lenapehoking; historic photos of plaza, and other artwork.

• 6 benches, 2 chess tables, 2 bike racks, protective traffic fence and high curb along Centre Street, repair Bluestone pavement & MTA glass bricks.

2 - 5. 4 Lelachpattichteak (Lenape), amelanchier, juneberry, shadbush, serviceberry indigenous trees. Provided by FCHP. With small informational signs. https://www.nativerootsde.org/blog/shadbush  

6. Historical Plaque - in “parterre” planting bed near Time Wheel. Acknowledges Lenape in the history of New York City.