Herbert Von King Park

Herbert Von King Park is a 7.82-acre park in Bedford-Stuyvesant, bounded by Tompkins Avenue, Greene Avenue, Marcy Avenue, and Lafayette Avenue. The park was renamed in 1985 for Herbert Von King, a community activist who devoted his life to improving conditions in Bed-Stuy and advocating for the neighborhood's residents.

Von King was a tireless neighborhood advocate who worked on issues ranging from housing and education to recreation and youth development. His grassroots activism reflected the spirit of self-determination that has characterized Bedford-Stuyvesant's African American community for generations.

The park's cultural anchor is the Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, which opened in 1973 and offers programming in the performing and visual arts, after-school programs, and community events. Its main performance hall is the Eubie Blake Auditorium, named for the legendary ragtime and early jazz pianist and composer who died in 1983 shortly after his widely celebrated 100th birthday, though records place his actual age at 96.

The park features a playground, basketball courts, a track, and a large amphitheater that hosts outdoor performances during summer months. The amphitheater has been the venue for neighborhood concerts, dance performances, and community celebrations that draw residents from across Bed-Stuy.

Herbert Von King Park is more than a recreation space; it is a cultural institution that anchors the civic life of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The combination of athletic facilities, arts programming, and community events makes it one of the most important parks in central Brooklyn.