Description

Way back in the 17th century, this was the site where the Canarsee Indians "sold" the island of Manhattan to the Dutchman Peter Minuit for an estimated sum of $24.00. Bowling Green is also the city's oldest park, established in 1733 by the Common Council. The Council agreed to lease the park to three local landlords, John Chambers, Peter Bayard, and Peter Jay, who agreed to make improvements to the park--one of them being a bowling green, which later gave the park its name. Bowling Green has undergone many renovations, including a notable one in 1976-1977 that restored the park to its 18th century appearance.