New York, NY – Rev. T. Wendell Foster Was the First African American City Councilmember to Represent the Bronx.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on September 18, 2022, renamed Mullaly Park and the Mullaly Recreation Center to the “Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park” and the “Reverend T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center” in the Bronx.
Reverend Foster was the pastor of the Christ Church in Morrisania and the first Black representative from the Bronx in the New York City Council. Reverend Foster championed low-income housing and served as long-time chair of the City Council’s Parks Committee.
“Reverend T. Wendell Foster was not only the first Black City Council member from the Bronx, but a giant in New York City politics,” said Mayor Adams. “Reverend Foster broke down barriers and inspired many, including me. He stood tall for the Bronx, and never gave up on this city or its people. I know that the Reverent T. Wendell Foster Park will inspire generations of future leaders to come, reminding us to live with courage and integrity, as he did.”
NYC Parks announced its first tranche of namings in June 2020, when the agency created Juneteenth Grove at Cadman Plaza Park. Since then, 28 green spaces have been named in recognition of the Black experience across all five boroughs.
“Our parks and greenspaces are as varied as the communities they serve, and we are beyond proud to continue our efforts of renaming park spaces in honor of the Black experience. Names like Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park serve as physical representations of the contributions and legacies of some of our city’s and country’s most prominent Black Americans,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “Wendell Foster was a force in New York City politics and an inspiration to countless New Yorkers, and we hope the renaming of this park promotes reflection and inspiration for our next generation of changemakers in the city.”
