John Mullaly (1835-1915), born in Belfast, Ireland, is often referred to as the “Father” of the Bronx parks system. A journalist by trade, Mullaly was the catalyst behind the acquisition of land that ultimately became Pelham Bay, Bronx, Van Cortlandt, Crotona, Claremont, and St Mary’s Parks, as well as the connecting Mosholu, Bronx and Pelham, and Crotona Parkways.

Mullaly wrote pamphlets and newspaper articles, attracted influential supporters, garnered signatures for petitions, lobbied government officials, and assisted in the preparation of court appeals. The campaign that began in 1881 with the first meeting of the New Parks Association culminated with the passage of the New Parks Act of 1884 to set aside land. However, numerous appeals ensued. Once the final appeal was denied in 1887, land acquisition began in 1888.

In the late 19th century, lower Manhattan was home to many immigrants living in crowded tenements. It was evident that the city would continue to grow and that the population would spread northward across the Harlem River. Mullaly believed it was essential to anticipate parkland needs for this new area, which would eventually become the borough of the Bronx. Having served as Health Commissioner, he considered parks a requirement for the well-being of the citizenry, particularly the working classes, and referred to these open spaces as the “lungs of the metropolis.” In particular, Mullaly envisioned the future Pelham Bay Park as the “Newport of New York’s Toilers,” in reference to the upper-class Rhode Island seaside resort that was well beyond the means of the average worker.

Mullaly believed the coastline along Long Island Sound made the future Pelham Bay Park the most desirable of all the new parks. The proposal for acquiring the land, however, proved the most difficult. The opposition complained that the area was not part of New York City, even though most agreed it would soon be annexed. Some claimed the site was too far away from the general population. But Mullaly pointed to convenient railroad stations, as well as potential docks that could ferry visitors from downtown.

In the annals of American parks, Frederick Law Olmsted occupies a deservedly prominent place. John Mullaly also merits recognition for his achievement in the creation of the Bronx parks. To that end, The Bronx County Historical Society re-issued his 1887 treatise, The New Parks Beyond the Harlem. This historical work describes the endeavors of John Mullaly and other civic-minded New Yorkers who created one of the great urban park systems of the world.

Read more: 

Evelyn Gonzalez (June 5, 2004). The Bronx. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-50835-3.

We’ve focused on his Parks history, but John Mullaly was also involved in other endeavors. Recently, the community around Mullaly Park has called to change the name of Mullaly Park because of Mullaly’s racist rhetoric.
Further reading:
”Critics Want Mullaly Park In The Bronx Renamed, Citing Namesake's Racist Rhetoric”, The Gothamist, July 1, 2020
”Stop Honoring Racists — Say Goodbye to John Mullaly Park in the Bronx” HuffPost, April 2, 2016