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New York, N.Y.

Dedicated Dec. 7, 2014

Partners: Empire State Center for the Book, Random House Children’s Books, and the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy

Carl Schurz Park was dedicated as a Literary Landmark in honor of Louise Fitzhugh (1928-1974), who used the park as a setting in her novel for young readers Harriet the Spy.

The dedication was made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication Harriet the Spy. The novel has become a classic that has entertained young readers and inspired future writers. Fitzhugh used this park and other familiar neighborhood sites in her novel. In the park, Harriet follows Ole Golly on her date with Mr. Waldenstein, gathers a frog to put in Marion Hawthorne’s desk at school, and plays a game of tag with the kids in her class. But most importantly, Harriet takes her notebook to the park and sits on a bench, writing under the trees.

Random House recently published a that includes tributes by Judy Blume, Meg Cabot, Lois Lowry, Rebecca Stead, and many more, as well as a map of Harriet’s New York City neighborhood and spy route and original author/editor correspondence.

Among those attending the dedication, which coincided with the holiday tree lighting in the park, were Beverly Horowitz, publisher of Delacorte Press an imprint of Random House Children's Books; Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough president; Ben Kallos, New York City councilmember; Liz Krueger, New York State senator, and Rebecca Seawright, New York State assemblywoman.

Members of the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy board and many children attended a pre-dedication reception at the home of Jerry and Clare Thomas. Copies of the book and audio book were distributed there.

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