The city actually agreed to name the space Alligator Park. I never thought a tiny piece of folklore would result in an official landmark but you proved me wrong. This win belongs to all of you who kept the spirit of that old East Harlem story alive.
November 13, 2022
Let’s Name a Park to Commemorate the Urban Legend that Alligators Live in the NYC Sewer System
Final supporters
Generations of children, newcomers, and tourists have heard the claim that live alligators inhabit the New York City sewer system. Is it true? Ordinarily, no. However, on February 9, 1935 a live 8-foot alligator *was* found in an East Harlem sewer by a trio of teenaged boys. That exceptional encounter — which was described in papers across the U.S. and beyond (pic #1) — gave birth to the Gotham gator legend that has spread around the world!
The legend has inspired movies, written works, cartoons, t-shirts, and, most famously, the sculptures of Tom Otterness in the subway and at Metrotech (pic #2).
Such an important piece of New York City folklore deserves to be commemorated. To that end, we the undersigned support a proposal that would name a tiny new park (pic #3) near the site of the 1935 alligator encounter in honor of this great true-ish urban legend. The park could be called “Sewer Gator Park,” or “Alligator in the Sewer Park,” or simply “Alligator Park.”
Memorializing the legend with a park name would not just serve the historical record; it would also inspire civic and community pride. Signage and/or artwork might someday be installed at the park to tell the story of the teens and their wonderful, albeit frightening, discovery. And on every February 9th dignitaries, history buffs, and local families could gather at the park to celebrate Alligator in the Sewer Day with speeches, food, and fun.
Photos:
1. Photo published in the New York Daily News (2/10/1935)
2. Sculpture by Tom Otterness (M. Miscione)
3. The new little park located on Paladino Ave., east of 1st Ave. (M. Miscione)
Updates
August 19, 2022
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many of you find this little slice of history as charming as I do. Seeing people share their own memories about the sewer gator stories has been the best part of this entire journey. You all are the ones keeping this bit of local folklore alive.
August 19, 2022
I really thought this might just be a funny idea that stayed in my head. Seeing so many people actually want a space for our city's strangest legend is truly surreal and this entire momentum belongs to you.
Reached 100 supporters
August 19, 2022
59 Comments
Let's be honest --- nobody outside of New York City remembers names like Bryant Park or Park Slope. But Alligator park is the kind of name that becomes famous on the Internet ten years later. You want to be Internet-famous, right?
As a reptile lover, artist and conservator of monuments, I support urban myth making.. I even have an adult alligator skull made of cast iron I'll donate to the cause celebre! Sincerely, McR
I like the simpler name, "Alligator Park." I'm an immigrant who has lived most of my life in NYC and I love this Urban Legend. Let's make it official!
I write on New York City's social- and architectural history, I have taught the subject for over 35 years at NYU's School of Professional Studies, I was named a Centennial Historian of the City of New York in 1999, in addition to which I design maps, and I think that Mike Miscione's suggestion is wonderful.
I'm a docent at the New-York Historical Society, and this is the sort of history, along with our great men and women, that ought to be remembered.
Let's do this!
I'm 100% behind this change!
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The city actually agreed to name the space Alligator Park. I never thought a tiny piece of folklore would result in an official landmark but you proved me wrong. This win belongs to all of you who kept the spirit of that old East Harlem story alive.
November 13, 2022
Let’s Name a Park to Commemorate the Urban Legend that Alligators Live in the NYC Sewer System
Final supporters
Generations of children, newcomers, and tourists have heard the claim that live alligators inhabit the New York City sewer system. Is it true? Ordinarily, no. However, on February 9, 1935 a live 8-foot alligator *was* found in an East Harlem sewer by a trio of teenaged boys. That exceptional encounter — which was described in papers across the U.S. and beyond (pic #1) — gave birth to the Gotham gator legend that has spread around the world!
The legend has inspired movies, written works, cartoons, t-shirts, and, most famously, the sculptures of Tom Otterness in the subway and at Metrotech (pic #2).
Such an important piece of New York City folklore deserves to be commemorated. To that end, we the undersigned support a proposal that would name a tiny new park (pic #3) near the site of the 1935 alligator encounter in honor of this great true-ish urban legend. The park could be called “Sewer Gator Park,” or “Alligator in the Sewer Park,” or simply “Alligator Park.”
Memorializing the legend with a park name would not just serve the historical record; it would also inspire civic and community pride. Signage and/or artwork might someday be installed at the park to tell the story of the teens and their wonderful, albeit frightening, discovery. And on every February 9th dignitaries, history buffs, and local families could gather at the park to celebrate Alligator in the Sewer Day with speeches, food, and fun.
Photos:
1. Photo published in the New York Daily News (2/10/1935)
2. Sculpture by Tom Otterness (M. Miscione)
3. The new little park located on Paladino Ave., east of 1st Ave. (M. Miscione)
Updates
August 19, 2022
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many of you find this little slice of history as charming as I do. Seeing people share their own memories about the sewer gator stories has been the best part of this entire journey. You all are the ones keeping this bit of local folklore alive.
August 19, 2022
I really thought this might just be a funny idea that stayed in my head. Seeing so many people actually want a space for our city's strangest legend is truly surreal and this entire momentum belongs to you.
Reached 100 supporters
August 19, 2022
59 Comments
Alligator Park would be great! If we can have Fountain of the Planet of the Grapes of Wrath and Libra Triangle and the Abyssinian Tot Lot, we can have Alligator Park!
Let's be honest --- nobody outside of New York City remembers names like Bryant Park or Park Slope. But Alligator park is the kind of name that becomes famous on the Internet ten years later. You want to be Internet-famous, right?
As a reptile lover, artist and conservator of monuments, I support urban myth making.. I even have an adult alligator skull made of cast iron I'll donate to the cause celebre! Sincerely, McR
I like the simpler name, "Alligator Park." I'm an immigrant who has lived most of my life in NYC and I love this Urban Legend. Let's make it official!
I write on New York City's social- and architectural history, I have taught the subject for over 35 years at NYU's School of Professional Studies, I was named a Centennial Historian of the City of New York in 1999, in addition to which I design maps, and I think that Mike Miscione's suggestion is wonderful.
I'm a docent at the New-York Historical Society, and this is the sort of history, along with our great men and women, that ought to be remembered.
Let's do this!
I'm 100% behind this change!
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Alligator Park would be great! If we can have Fountain of the Planet of the Grapes of Wrath and Libra Triangle and the Abyssinian Tot Lot, we can have Alligator Park!