Murray Playground

Murray Playground honors John F. Murray, a man who spent his life serving the public in Queens. Murray worked for many years as a recreation supervisor for the city park system, but his influence reached far beyond his official duties. He was a dedicated leader for the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, where he spearheaded youth sports programs and charitable blood drives. He also found time to mentor neighborhood athletes, most notably training the world champion light heavyweight boxer Paul Berlenbach. When the playground opened in 1949, it was dedicated to his memory as an advocate for accessible, high-quality recreational spaces for the entire borough.