African Burial Ground National
Monument Highpoint Trip Report
Date: November 7, 2007
Author: John Mitchler
General Description: A short stroll around a tiny park in the south part of
New York City’s Manhattan, a couple blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Distance: 50 feet one-way, from sidewalk into center of park.
Difficulty: easy walk
Elevation gain: 0 feet
Summit elevation: 20 feet
Maps: USGS topo not needed;
satellite image
Access/permits: Outdoor Memorial is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm,
Indoor Visitor Center is open Tue-Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, both closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Best months: all year
Visitor Center: Indoor Visitor Center at 290 Broadway in first floor of Ted Weiss office building,
adjacent to the Outdoor Memorial.
Park Service Web Page
Highpoint Description: an urban park
Finding the trailhead:
At the corner of Duane Street and Elk Street, a couple blocks north from the Brooklyn Bridge terminus,
and a couple blocks north of City Hall, just north of the financial district (aka Wall Street).
Parking is rare and expensive. This park is served by bus and subway
(City Hall, Chambers Street, Brooklyn Bridge stations).
subway map
The hike:
The park is flat and contains a sunken area. Ceremonial grave mounds have been created.
About the park:
From 1690 to 1794, free and enslaved Africans were buried outside the wall of
New Amsterdam (New York City) and were discovered in 1991 during building excavation.
Camping and services:
No camping. Services typical of a major urban city are found nearby
(i.e. more restaurants than gas stations and motels).