Coffey Square

In the heart of Brooklyn's residential Dyker Heights neighborhood, where 81st Street meets 7th Avenue, lies Coffey Square. While it might not be a sprawling recreational park with playgrounds or extensive sports facilities, Coffey Square holds a profound significance for the local community: it is a dedicated war memorial. Described by visitors as a "Memorial from war, with two types of flags plus more," and named "in memory of my father’s uncle 1st Lt. William Coffey," this compact public space offers a vital opportunity for solemn reflection and remembrance.

Coffey Square is not designed for active play but rather for quiet contemplation. Its primary purpose is to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country, a dedication poignantly marked by a tombstone etched with a "photo from the end of World War II." For New Yorkers, especially those in the 11228 zip code area, Coffey Square represents a tangible connection to history and a respectful tribute to local heroes. It serves as a quiet corner where one can pause, remember, and appreciate the sacrifices made for our freedoms.

Coffey Square is centrally located at the intersection of 81st Street and 7th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY 11228, USA. This places it within the established and family-friendly neighborhoods of Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge, areas known for their strong community ties and residential charm. The address itself, 81st St & 7th Ave, makes it easy to pinpoint for anyone navigating the local street grid.

Accessibility to Coffey Square is convenient for locals, integrating seamlessly into daily neighborhood life. While it doesn't sit directly on a major thoroughfare like Fort Hamilton Parkway, its proximity to main avenues ensures easy reach. Numerous local bus lines operate along 7th Avenue and other nearby streets, with stops within a short walking distance of the square. For subway commuters, the R train (with stations at 86th Street or 77th Street) is also within a reasonable distance, providing connections to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. This robust public transportation network makes Coffey Square an accessible destination for those without personal vehicles.

Furthermore, the residential nature of the surrounding blocks means that many residents live within comfortable walking distance, allowing for casual visits to the memorial. Despite being nestled within an urban environment, its specific corner location contributes to its quiet demeanor, offering a sense of seclusion for reflection, a valuable trait in a bustling city.

Coffey Square, as a dedicated memorial site, offers specific services focused on remembrance and contemplation rather than active recreation. Its design and features serve its primary purpose:

• Memorial Site: The core service is its function as a memorial dedicated to those who served in war, specifically acknowledging the end of World War II through an etched photo. This provides a tangible space for honoring veterans and fallen heroes.
• Flag Display: The presence of "two types of flags plus more" indicates its role as a patriotic space for displaying national and military banners, underscoring its commemorative nature.
• Historical Marker: The "tombstone" with its etched clue serves as an informal historical marker, providing a direct link to the past and offering insights into the individuals being honored, such as 1st Lt. William Coffey.
• Quiet Contemplation Space: While currently lacking benches, the square offers an open public space where individuals can pause, reflect, and pay their respects in a relatively peaceful setting.
• NYC Parks Oversight: As an official NYC Parks property, it benefits from the city's general maintenance and oversight, ensuring its continued existence as a public memorial.

Coffey Square, though compact, possesses distinct features that underscore its significance and make it a notable spot in the neighborhood:

• Dedicated War Memorial: The primary highlight is its clear purpose as a war memorial. It is specifically designed to honor fallen service members, providing a focal point for remembrance in the community.
• Personalized Tribute: The square's naming in memory of "1st Lt. William Coffey" gives it a deeply personal connection to a local hero, making the tribute more tangible and meaningful for residents. The etched photo from the end of WWII provides a specific historical anchor.
• Symbolic Flags: The presence of "two types of flags plus more" adds to its ceremonial and patriotic ambiance, signifying respect and honor for military service.
• Neighborhood Integration: Despite being a memorial, its location at a busy intersection allows it to serve as a recognizable landmark within Dyker Heights, subtly integrating historical remembrance into daily life. It's one of several smaller triangular parks created as Fort Hamilton Parkway cuts through the street grid, often serving as memorials.
• Quiet Corner: Even amidst the urban setting, the square manages to offer a degree of tranquility, allowing for moments of quiet reflection away from the immediate bustle of the surrounding streets.
• Community Board Association: As an NYC Parks site (though specific Park ID for this small square might be under a broader designation or a "Permanent Art and Monuments" category), it is recognized within the city's parks system, ensuring its continued preservation.

As a public memorial square managed by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Coffey Square does not offer commercial "promotions" or "special offers." Its inherent and continuous "special offer" to the community is its perpetual availability as a free, accessible space for remembrance, reflection, and honoring those who sacrificed for our freedoms. This enduring commitment to preserving history and honoring heroes is its most profound and consistent value.

The "promotion" of Coffey Square lies in its dignified presence as a tangible link to the past. It serves as a continuous invitation for New Yorkers to pause, learn, and pay their respects. While there aren't discounts or seasonal deals, the solemnity and historical significance it offers are invaluable to a community that values its history and the sacrifices made. Any "offer" from Coffey Square is the opportunity it provides for a quiet moment of patriotism and gratitude, which is freely available to all who visit.

For general inquiries concerning Coffey Square or other public parks and memorials in Brooklyn, the primary point of contact is the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. While there isn't a direct phone number specific to this individual memorial square, you can reach the general NYC Parks line for information or to report any concerns.

• Address: 81 St &, 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11228, USA (This address serves as the specific location of Coffey Square.)
• General NYC Parks Phone: (212) 639-9675
• NYC Parks Mobile Phone (for general inquiries): +1 212-639-9675

For inquiries specifically about monuments and art within NYC Parks, including the memorial at Coffey Square, you can contact the Art & Antiquities department at (212) 360-8143. For the most current information regarding official NYC Parks sites, it is always advisable to visit the official NYC Parks website (nycgovparks.org) and utilize their park search function, though smaller squares like Coffey Square may be listed under "Permanent Art and Monuments" rather than as standalone parks.

Coffey Square is remarkably suitable for New Yorkers, particularly for residents of Brooklyn's Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge neighborhoods. Its suitability is rooted in its profound symbolic value, its role as a historical anchor, and its ability to provide a much-needed space for quiet contemplation in the urban environment.

For locals, Coffey Square serves as an important reminder of shared history and collective sacrifice. In a city that moves at an incredible pace, having a designated memorial like this allows for moments of pause and reflection. The specific dedication to "1st Lt. William Coffey" and the visual clue from "World War II" make the historical connection tangible and personal for residents, fostering a sense of gratitude and respect for those who served.

While a review rightly points out the current lack of a bench, suggesting "A bench is needed as there is no place to sit," the very presence of this dedicated space, even without seating, fulfills a crucial need for solemnity. It offers a quiet corner where one can mentally step away from the daily grind and engage with the memory of fallen heroes. This type of mental and emotional respite is just as valuable as physical recreation in an urban setting.

Its accessible location at a prominent intersection, combined with good public transportation links, ensures that the memorial is within easy reach for many residents. This allows for spontaneous visits, integrating remembrance into daily life rather than requiring a dedicated journey. The public nature of the square means it's always open and available for anyone seeking a moment of peace or historical connection.

In conclusion, Coffey Square, though small and focused on remembrance, is an indispensable part of the local landscape for New Yorkers. It offers a vital space for honoring history, fostering patriotism, and providing a quiet corner for personal reflection. Its significance as a war memorial makes it not just suitable, but truly invaluable, for the community it serves.

Coffey Square

81 St &, 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11228, USA