Marcus Garvey Park
Park Historic Harlem park with amphitheater and community events
A public park in Harlem with an amphitheatre, playgrounds and community programs; visitors attend concerts, local events and seasonal outdoor gatherings.
Marcus Garvey Park is a public park in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, established in the mid-19th century and renamed for Marcus Garvey in the 1970s.
The park is best known for the 19th-century Mount Morris Fire Watchtower, a Gothic Revival stone structure built in 1856 that stands on the park’s rocky outcrop and is a focal point for visitors. The park also includes lawns and an outdoor amphitheater used for concerts and community events.
The green spaces and recreational facilities provide year-round use for walking, passive recreation, and organized performances, attracting local residents and visitors from the wider Harlem area.
Originally created as Mount Morris Park in the 19th century, the site included the watchtower which served as a fire lookout for the surrounding neighborhood. The park was renamed in the 1970s for Marcus Garvey and has been the focus of preservation and community restoration efforts since the late 20th century.
The park sits in central Harlem in Manhattan within the Mount Morris Park Historic District in New York City, surrounded by residential streets and urban blocks and served by nearby city transit.
- Watchtower date: The watchtower dates to 1856 and is the park's most prominent historic structure; it sits atop the park's rocky hill and is visible from surrounding blocks.
- Events and use: Outdoor performances and community events occur seasonally in the park's amphitheater and lawns, with the park used year-round for recreation.
What to See #
- Mount Morris Fire Watchtower: A 19th-century Gothic Revival stone watchtower built on the park's high rocky outcrop, constructed in 1856 and historically used as a fire lookout.
- Amphitheater: An outdoor performance space used for summer concerts and community events, located on the park's sloped lawn and serving as a local cultural venue.
How to Get to Marcus Garvey Park #
Marcus Garvey Park sits between 120th and 124th Streets, bounded roughly by Madison and Mount Morris/ Fifth Avenues in Harlem. Subway: 2/3 to 125th Street and walk east, or 4/6 to 125th Street and walk north; several MTA bus lines run along Madison and 125th. The park is an easy walk from the 125th Street corridor.
Tips for Visiting Marcus Garvey Park #
- Visit on weekdays or early mornings to avoid weekend crowds and events; the park has many scheduled programs and festivals that draw large groups.
- Walk the higher paths for views over Harlem's cityscape-there is a small overlook that is good for skyline photography at golden hour.
- Check the Marcus Garvey Park Conservancy website for concerts and ice rink schedules (seasonal).
Best Time to Visit Marcus Garvey Park #
Spring through autumn is best for events and outdoor activity; winter hosts seasonal programming but is quieter.
Weather & Climate near Marcus Garvey Park #
Marcus Garvey Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1196 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).