The Albany Hand-book of 1884 has this less than flattering description of the city’s parks:
Albany has one spacious and beautiful park (see Washington Park); but most of the others are simply better than no parks.
Academy Park. – Consists of about two acres, bounded by Elk and Eagle sts., Washington ave. and Park place. A charming bit of green, gracefully sloping towards the High school and State hall. Was placed in hands of the park commissioners in 1881, and improved at an expense of $4,306 the following year. A little distance west of this spot used to be a ravine running north and south, where, tradition says, tories, in the time of the revolution, were stripped of their coats, hats and shoes, and a bandage put over their eyes, in which condition they were shot and buried on the spot. It was in Academy park that the building of the Army Relief Bazaar was erected in 1864.
Clinton Park. – West of N. Pearl street and south of Clinton ave. Has been pretty much destroyed by a broad walk crossing it diagonally. Area, 16,415 square feet.
Delaware Square. – South of Madison avenue and east of Lark street. Area, 64,000 square feet.
Capitol Park. – in front of the Old Capitol, on Eagle street. Area, 99,000 square feet.
Townsend Park. – Area, 20,700 square feet; at the intersection of Washington and Central avenues, between Lark and Knox streets. When first inclosed with a fence, in 1833, it was proposed to call it Washington Park and erect there a statue of the Father of his Country; but he escaped the honor.
Hudson Avenue Park. – A little breathing spot between Union and Liberty streets, on Hudson avenue. Area, 10,851 square feet.
Bleecker Park. – Area, 16,275 square feet. A small triangular enclosure in front of the Cathedral, and bounded by Eagle st., Madison ave. and Madison place, was enclosed in 1835, the city appropriating $1,000 and the remainder being raised by subscription. It contains the first public fountain erected in Albany, the gift of Wm. Fleming, dedicated in July, 1863.
Beverwyck Park. – Five acres between Washington avenue, Ontario, and Partridge streets.
Van Rensselaer Park. – West of Ten Broeck, north of Second street. Area, 42,400 square feet.
St. Joseph’s Park. – West of Ten Broeck, north of First street. Area, 42,900 square feet.
The total area of the small parks of the city is about 14 acres. They are all, with the exception of Capitol park, in the hands of the Park Commissioners.