The New York City Parks Department acquired this property in 1978 and it was briefly used as a community garden but later became vacant again.
At the time, community organizer Megan Charlop led a protest effort against the movie Fort Apache, The Bronx arguing that it negatively depicted the neighborhood.
As a compromise, the producers issued a $15,000 check to the fledgling Rock Greening Association, a community land trust Charlop had helped establish to acquire the empty lot where filming took place.
In 2011, a complete reconstruction of the park by Nancy Owens Studio preserved its naturalistic contours while including public gathering and sitting areas, handicapped-accessible walking paths and landscaped gardens.
[2] In May 2012, the corner of Fulton Avenue and East 167th Street facing the park was co-named Megan Charlop Way in honor of her efforts in transforming the undeveloped lot into a public space.