Seems that a former borough president is the reason that JJ Byrne Park, the Park Slope Park on Fifth Avenue and Third Street, is named JJ Byrne Park. That’s right, Byrne named the park after himself because he restored the park and built the Old Stone House back in the 1930’s.

But, according to the Brooklyn Paper, the park is set to have it’s name changed back to its original name: Washington Park.

So why was it originally called Washington Park?

Because the first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought right there and General George Washington and his army escaped from British forces during the Battle of Brooklyn.

Byrne may have restored the Old Stone House in the thirties but come on. In Friday’s Brooklyn Paper’s article, Kim Maier(in that nice picture above by Noelle D’Arrigo from the BP), Executive Director of the Old Stone House, had this to say about its original name.

“That name reflected its historic importance,” said Kim Maier, executive director of the Old Stone House, who supports the name change back to Washington Park. “When people come [to the park] they will recognize what went on here and that history is where they live.”

In addition to the name change, which was approved by Community Board 6 and is set to go to the City Council soon, the park is in the throes of a major—and much needed—redesign. Again, the Brooklyn Paper:

Right now, the park is undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation that includes new handball and basketball courts and a dog run — paid for partly by developer Shaya Boymelgreen to compensate for damages incurred during the construction of his NOVO condos nearby.

So I’m going to have to get used to typing Washington Park on the blog and flyers when I advertise readings at the Old Stone House instead of JJ Byrne Park.

I always wondered who JJ Byrne was anyway.