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UPDATE AS OF 7/15:
Cleanup Underway at Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Square in Greenpoint
Ready the original story from 7/10:
Radio RAMPA has received multiple reports expressing concern over the condition of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko Square, located between Bedford Avenue and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. When we visited the site on Wednesday, July 8, we found the Square in poor condition. Trash, an overgrown sidewalk, weeds covering the center of the Square, a strong unpleasant odor, and overgrown vegetation creating areas where litter accumulates were among the issues observed. The park has also become a regular gathering place for individuals using it for overnight stays or alcohol consumption.
According to information provided to our newsroom by multiple community members, despite ongoing efforts by members of the Polish-American community to help keep the Square clean, the scale of the problems has become too great for volunteers to manage on their own.
Radio RAMPA reached out to New York City officials, including NYC Parks, which is responsible for maintaining the Square, as well as Greenpoint City Council Member Lincoln Restler and NY State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who represents Greenpoint. We have received responses from all three. During our visit, we also spoke with members of the Polish-American community. Watch Radio RAMPA’s report.
Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko Square in Greenpoint is more than just a public space. It stands as a symbol of the fight for freedom and human rights, and serves as a testament to how quickly New York City’s Polish-American community honored Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko following his tragic death. The Square is home to two monuments dedicated to the Polish martyr. More about the history of the Square and its monuments can be found below.
However, the Square was not always in its current condition. Speaking with Radio RAMPA, Bogdan recalled what the area was like years ago. “I first came to the United States in 1993, and this was truly a wonderful place. You could come here, sit peacefully, and enjoy the atmosphere around Father Popiełuszko’s monument.”
Bogdan was one of the community members who contacted Radio RAMPA about the deteriorating condition of the Square. “Two days ago, as I was driving by, I saw a sight that shocked me, especially the overgrown brush behind Father Popiełuszko’s monument. I came back the next day because I had more time to walk around and take a closer look, and I was even more disturbed by what I saw. People shouldn’t be smoking or drinking alcohol in the park. There are groups of people who seem to have made this their place to relax while drinking and smoking. There’s also a second monument dedicated to Father Jerzy Popiełuszko that isn’t even identified. It’s difficult to tell what it represents, whom it honors, or why it was placed there. It’s also overgrown on the other side of the Square. This is a beautiful location, right next to McCarren Park, where many members of the Polish community—and many other New Yorkers—come to relax every day, especially on weekends.”
Bogdan added: “I’m sure many other people feel the same way when they see what this place has become. I contacted Radio RAMPA hoping to bring attention to the issue and perhaps encourage the appropriate city agencies to take action. At the same time, I’m offering my own help. I don’t want to just stand by and watch. If my assistance is needed, I’ll gladly do whatever I can.”
Radio RAMPA also spoke with Tomasz Mucha at the Square. “This park is neglected, and there are many homeless people here. Bogdan and I thought that maybe if we spoke up, someone would help. I believe NYC Parks needs to take better care of this place. At the same time, I think we, as the Polish community, should come together to help clean it up, make it feel like our place again—maybe even display a Polish flag—so that it better reflects its Polish heritage.”
Tomasz concluded: “This place needs renovation. That’s really all I can say—it needs to be restored.”
Radio RAMPA reached out to New York City officials regarding the condition of the Square, including NYC Parks, the agency responsible for maintaining the site, Greenpoint City Council Member Lincoln Restler, and NY State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who represents Greenpoint. We received responses from all three.
In a statement provided to Radio RAMPA, NYC Parks said:
NY State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher also provided Radio RAMPA with a statement via email. “Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Square is an incredibly important Greenpoint memorial, with great significance to our Polish American constituents in particular. I’ve long been involved in defending the Square, and I attended the vigil in 2021 after the statue of Father Popiełuszko was heinously vandalized. New York City’s parks and green spaces are an essential piece of what makes this city livable, and I will always fight for greater investment in them. Unfortunately, odors, trash, and people struggling with substance use and/or houselessness are frequent issues in parks across the city, and I support my NYC Council counterpart, Councilmember Restler, in his efforts to work with the NYC Parks department to ensure our parks are clean, healthy, and safe for all who use them.”
The Square is heavily traveled. During our visit, we observed a steady stream of pedestrians using it as a shortcut between Nassau Avenue and Bedford Avenue. However, only a handful of people were actually spending time in the Square itself, most of whom appeared to be regular occupants of the space.
The history of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Square is remarkable. According to information published by NYC Parks, the site dates back to the early 20th century. The City of New York acquired the property between 1903 and 1905, while the Square’s current layout was developed during the 1930s.
Following World War II, a flagpole bearing the American flag was installed in honor of those who lost their lives during the war. That flagpole remains on the Square today. In 1985, just one year after the murder of Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, the New York City Council passed local legislation officially naming the site Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Square. The designation recognized his unwavering commitment to human rights, freedom, and Poland’s struggle for independence. Today, two monuments honoring the Polish priest stand within the Square.
The first is a granite bust created by renowned Polish sculptor Stanisław Lutostański. It was unveiled in 1990, on the sixth anniversary of Fr. Popiełuszko’s death. Shortly afterward, the monument was vandalized in what was determined to be a politically motivated attack. Following restoration, it was rededicated in 1992 during a ceremony attended by thousands of people. The monument was vandalized again in 2021, a case previously reported by Radio RAMPA. Since then, no additional incidents had been officially reported until members of the community recently contacted our newsroom to express concern about the overall condition of the Square.
The second monument, titled Bound Hands Rising Free, was dedicated in 2000. Designed by NYC Parks designer Tom Cleveland, the sculpture depicts hands breaking free from their restraints. It symbolizes not only the martyrdom of Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, but also the Polish nation’s struggle for freedom, human rights, and liberation from communist rule.
Together, the two monuments honor Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko’s courage and his unwavering commitment to truth and human dignity. Fr. Popiełuszko was a Catholic priest and one of the spiritual leaders of Poland’s Solidarity movement. During the communist era, he spoke openly about truth, freedom, and human dignity, while publicly criticizing the communist government. Thousands of people gathered to hear his sermons, particularly at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district. He was repeatedly detained and intimidated by the authorities but never abandoned his mission.
He also supported striking workers by celebrating Mass for them and distributing Holy Communion at factory sites. On October 19, 1984, Fr. Popiełuszko was abducted by officers of the communist Security Service (SB). His body was discovered several days later.
He had been brutally beaten and murdered. His death sparked outrage in Poland and around the world, becoming one of the defining symbols of resistance against the communist regime.
Today, Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Square remains a place of remembrance, honoring both the life of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko and the values for which he gave his life.
For that reason, the Square holds deep significance for New York’s Polish-American community. Individuals who contacted Radio RAMPA told us that some volunteers continue to do their best to keep the area clean, but the scale of the problem has become too great to manage on their own. As a reminder, responsibility for maintaining the Square rests with NYC Parks.
Radio RAMPA has also learned from members of the community that the Polish-American community remains eager to help preserve the Square and ensure it is maintained in a condition worthy of its historical and cultural significance.
Monika Adamski
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