At a time when African Americans were not allowed to play in Major League Baseball (MLB), Jackie Robinson played his first Major League game for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn on April 15, 1947, breaking the modern-day color barrier in the sport. In honor of Robinson, NYC Parks presented the fourth annual Jackie Robinson Day Festival at the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center at 85 Bradhurst Ave in Harlem on Saturday, April 12. Despite the rain, hundreds attended the free, family-friendly celebration honoring the iconic baseball player who once called New York City his home.
“Jackie Robinson Day connects us to our vital parks initiative in NYC Parks,” First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Iris Rodriguez-Rosa exclusively told the AmNews.
Though the rain kept outdoor activities from occurring, Rodriguez-Rosa shared that volunteers from various Harlem civic associations, organizations, and volunteer groups annually participate in beautifying the park in honor of Robinson.
“When we talk about the equity, accessibility, and affordability at the heart of our parks mission, Jackie Robinson Day Festival embodies these values,” Rodriguez-Rosa said. “The festival is a tribute and celebration of Harlem’s vibrant spirit, community pride, and the power of recreation to bring people together,” she added. “Just as Jackie Robinson inspired millions of people, this festival encourages our city’s youth to dream big. We are exceedingly proud of the legacy that he has left, and recognizing him with this festival is something that NYC Parks is proud of doing.”
Vendors and organizations on hand included the Jackie Robinson Museum, the New York Public Library, and Animal Care Centers of NYC. Activities for children of all ages included face painting, arts and crafts, and baseball clinics. Other entertainment included musicians and an array of dancers.
MLB also held its annual league-wide Jackie Robinson Day this past Tuesday, April 15, a celebration that has taken place since 2004. Every player and all on-field personnel wore Robinson’s No. 42, a symbol of unity that began in 2009. In these emotionally and spiritually trying times when the accomplishments of those of the African Diaspora are being scrubbed from websites, removed from school curriculums and subject to book bans, it is essential in Black communities and beyond to pay tribute to the achievements of Robinson and other trailblazers.
NYC Parks hosts Jackie Robinson Day Festival in Harlem
