USS Monitor Statue in McGolrick Park Vandalized
by onOver the weekend, a statue near the central pavilion in McGolrick Park was senselessly vandalized and covered in paint. The statue entitled, “The Monitor and The Merrimac” was constructed by Antonio de Filippo in 1938 and honors Swedish-American engineer and inventor John Ericsson and his design of the USS Monitor. Constructed in Bushwick Inlet, the Monitor was the first ironclad ship of the Civil War whose memory invokes a nostalgic fondness amongst Greenpoint residents.
According to Lincoln Restler, the Parks Department has confirmed that they will clean up this senseless act of vandalism quickly. This morning at the park police were investigating the scene, taking photos and expressing particular interested in the initials left in paint at the scene.
© 2013 Heather Van De Mark. Used with permission.
© 2013 Heather Van De Mark. Used with permission.
© 2013 Heather Van De Mark. Used with permission.
© 2013 Heather Van De Mark. Used with permission.
© 2013 Heather Van De Mark. Used with permission.
Dewey Thompson commented:
It’s hard not to see this as part of the overall attack on McGolrick Park over the last couple of years – well-documented by residents like Holly Fairall (including here at gwapp.org). There has to be a police response to pervasive criminal activity in our parks. GWAPP will ask the 94th to respond immediately and, in addition, there needs to be active and visible community support for the park 24/7; surveiilance cameras, additional lights, resident patrols… other ideas?
James Keough commented:
The paint is the same color as the pavilion which makes you wonder how they got it. Did they break in and steal it, did someone leave it out where they could get at it.
GWAPP commented:
James, that’s a really perceptive observation. We’ll have to raise the issue with Parks staff next time we see them.