Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968, but his courage continues to inspire admirers all over the world. He is remembered as one of the great American heroes of twentieth century, a man who devoted his life to fostering tolerance and equity on the grounds that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This property was acquired by the City of New York and authorized for use by the Board of Estimate on June 27, 1946 as part of the Stephen Foster Houses. The housing project was named for Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1824), the American composer who penned, among other well-known songs, “O Susannah,” “Camptown Races,” and “Beautiful Dreamer.”

In November 1947 the city plan was officially changed and the property was designated a playground area. Five years later it was opened as the Stephen Foster Houses Playground, reflecting the name of the nearby housing complex. When the project that surrounds it was renamed the Martin Luther King Houses, the playground’s name was changed as well. The Martin Luther King Playground’s most popular feature among neighborhood youth is its two full-courts for basketball. Other attractions include handball facilities, and both toddler and child play areas. There are also several swing sets, a comfort station, and a sprinkler for summer use. The playground has been a participating site in the City Parks Foundation’s Summer Fun in the Parks program.