Jerome Park

This article is about the public park in the West Bronx. For the neighborhood in the Bronx, see Jerome Park, Bronx. For the former racecourse in the West Bronx, see Jerome Park Racetrack.
Jerome Park
Gatehouse No. 5 in Jerome Park.
Map
TypePublic park; municipal park
LocationThe Bronx, NY, US
Coordinates40°53′05″N 73°53′28″W / 40.88468°N 73.89104°W / 40.88468; -73.89104
Area4.36 acres (1.76 ha)
OpenedApril 4, 1940
EtymologyLeonard W. Jerome; Jerome Park Racetrack
Operated byNew York City Department of Parks and Recreation
Statusopen all year
Public transit accessSubway: "4" train at Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College station
Bus: Bx1, Bx2
Park IDX137
Websitewww.nycgovparks.org/parks/jerome-park/

Jerome Park is a municipal park in the West Bronx of New York City. The park, along with the surrounding neighborhood of the same name, are both on land that was once Jerome Park Racetrack, which was founded by Leonard W. Jerome, grandfather of Winston Churchill. The park occupies a long and narrow strip of land between Jerome Park Reservoir and Goulden avenue. Neighboring the park are two "Education Mile"[1] institutions: The Bronx High School of Science, and DeWitt Clinton High School. Harris Park, another New York City Department of Parks and Recreation property, is another neighbor. The Jerome Park Reservoir and its surroundings (including the park) were further developed under the federal Works Progress Administration.[2] The park opened on April 4, 1940.[3]

In June 2022, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York (City) proposed relocating a public observatory to the park at the suggestion of The Bronx High School of Science. The proposed observatory was previously in use at Nassau Community College for more than 40 years.[4] The 12-foot tall, 6-foot diameter observatory has enough space for 3 people.[5]

  1. ^ "Jerome Park – Bronx CB 7". www1.nyc.gov. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  2. ^ da Cruz, Frank (August 9, 2015). "Jerome Park Reservoir Improvements – Bronx NY". kermitproject.org. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "Jerome Park Highlights : NYC Parks". www.nycgovparks.org. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  4. ^ Misdary, Rosemary (June 2, 2022). "NYC Parks greenlights city's first public observatory. Now comes the paperwork". Gothamist. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Misdary, Rosemary (May 23, 2022). "NYC's first public observatory is running out of time to find a home". Gothamist. Retrieved August 6, 2022.