Summary
The familiar Parks Dept “Libra” triangle, on Broadway and Justice Avenue, has had its sign missing for close to two years. Requests for it to be replaced seem to have been lost in the shuffle. A new effort hopes to remedy this circumstance promptly.
Libra triangle is the site of the original corner of Justice Avenue, where the historic 1892 turreted courthouse stood, on the footprint of a much earlier Newtown Town Hall dating to 1803. The structure served as the seat of government for Newtown, as well as a police station. The police station moved to its current building on 43rd Ave in 1940. In its final years, it served as a post for the Dept. of Sanitation. Once the courthouse was demolished in 1966, the mouth of Justice Avenue was widened.
The triangle’s name “Libra,” as in balancing the scales of justice, was aptly coined as homage to the Courthouse by late quirky Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern. Park signs such as this, as well as street co-namings serve as a bridge to the past, allowing residents to recall their area’s history, and for newcomers to make connections to the past from their present lens. In the time gap this sign has been lost, people have suggested names without any viable connection, or assuming it was called the generic ‘greenstreets,’ a sign to indicate its part of a program between parks and the d.o.t to maintain traffic islands.
In messages with Community Parks Liason Alejandra Vanegas, she alerted Parks management to assess the situation, and relayed the request for replacement. The site itself hasn’t had improvements since 1997, so that’s another aspect of Libra Triangle to be addressed; its beautification.
“Park signage and markers are useful in educating people on the history of the area they are living or visiting. Being in a busy metropolis, we need to preserve and identify what occurred before us, and this in turn will give a more complete and inclusive history,” said Jennifer Ochoa, of the Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society.
James is the Vice President of the Newtown Civic Association, the Elmhurst Memorial League, and Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society.
