The Bronx · Bronx County
Roberto Clemente Plaza
NYC Parks
- Location
- Third Avenue at East 149th Street, The Hub, South Bronx
- Size
- 0.5 acres
- Hours
- Always open
- Type
- NYC Parks
Roberto Clemente Plaza is a public gathering space at 'The Hub,' the commercial heart of the South Bronx at the intersection of Third Avenue, Willis Avenue, Melrose Avenue, and 149th Street, one of the busiest outdoor shopping districts in New York City.
The plaza is named for Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican baseball legend who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and died in 1972 delivering humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente was the first Latin American player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Hub has been the commercial center of the South Bronx since the early 20th century, when the intersection's concentration of subway lines and bus routes made it the most accessible shopping district in the borough.
The South Bronx's large Puerto Rican community has a deep connection to Clemente, whose humanitarian legacy and athletic excellence made him one of the most important figures in Latino history.
Roberto Clemente Plaza serves as the civic center of the South Bronx, honoring a hero whose commitment to his community extended beyond the baseball diamond and cost him his life in service to others.