Early History

John Knickerbacker was President and Treasurer of Eddy Valve Company and was a resident of the City of Troy, residing at 86 First Street.  The Eddy Valve company was located in the Village of Waterford. All types of valves, fire hydrants, and related products were manufactured at the site in Waterford and were used all over the world. 

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Mr. Knickerbacker and Eddy Valve were successful.  This fueled Mr. Knickerbacker's philanthropic endeavors.  Troy, Waterford, and the Capital District at large were often the recipients of John Knickerbacker's generosity.

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Beginning in 1924, John and Kathleen H. Knickerbacker, his wife, began purchasing land in what was formerly Rensselaer Park in the City of Troy between 110th Street on the North and 103rd Street on the South.  Some sections of the property were known as "Groveland" in the 15th Ward of the City of Troy. 

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John and Kathleen, and their son Thomas A. and his wife Helen L. Knickerbacker continued to purchase a number of properties from the Boston and Maine Railroad right-of-way on the East to Fifth Avenue on the West so that they fully owned all the property which was formerly Rensselaer Park.  Older citizens might remember when the Barnum & Bailey Circus came year after year to set up their tents and many still remember the Circus Parade of animals and equipment which traveled the streets of the City of Troy to and from the Lansingburgh section for performances. 

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On December 16, 1928, John and Kathleen deeded to Thomas and Helen the Knickerbacker Memorial Playgrounds, Incorporated lands belonging to them bounded on the East by the lands of the Boston and Main Railroad and on the North and West by lands belonging to the family, and on the South by 103rd Street.

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Thomas and Helen added baseball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer fields, a running track, swimming pool, swings, horseshoe equipment, handball walls, bocci courts, sledding hills, skating rinks, and much more, all for the benefit of the young and old. 

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In view of Thomas' interest in the City of Troy, he approached Lansingburgh High School and Waterford High School to play their first game on the new diamond in the Park in 1928.  Thomas threw out the first pitch.

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In 1936, the Park incorporated with the State as a not-for-profit, officially named the Thomas A. Knickerbacker and Helen L. Knickerbacker Memorial Playgrounds, Inc. The family left the Park along with a sizable endowment to the trust and care of Board of Trustees with their continued mission to be to provide recreational opportunities to the residents of Troy.  

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