Playground History: The Legacy of Mathews-Palmer and the Women Who Fought for It

Playground History: The Legacy of Mathews-Palmer and the Women Who Fought for It

You may know Mathews-Palmer Playground from its iconic mural, Against Domestic Colonialism, which famously appeared in Paul Simon’s 1988 music video for Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. But while the park’s appearance in Simon’s video may be its most well-known cultural touchstone, its history as a Hell’s Kitchen landmark dates back to the early 20th century — and references the work of one of the neighborhood’s most trailblazing and oft-for…