The World War I Monument located here at Ridgewood Veterans Triangle was founded by the local community through block parties, and other organized events. It was dedicated at the ceremony in 1922, and honors 110 soldiers, sailors and airmen from Ridgewood who gave their lives in the 1914-18 conflict.
The adjacent Putnam Avenue was originally an open street between Cypress Avenue and Myrtle Avenue. As part of a revitalization program in 1983-84, the segment was closed to turn Ridgewood Veterans Triangle into a public plaza.
This vicinity is notable for the first broadcast of the WHN Radio Station in February 1922 – aired from a building at 816 Cypress Avenue that no longer exists. It was one of only 30 radio stations in the country at the time, and one of the first in New York.
WHN was launched by George Schubel, founder and owner of The Ridgewood Times newspaper. It was sold in 1928 to the Loew’s Theatre Organization, moved to Times Square in Manhattan, and was subsequently bought and consolidated a number of times within media networks.
The Myrtle Avenue BID has utilized the Ridgewood Veterans Triangle to serve the community by working with GrowNYC (formerly known as the Council on the Environment of New York City – CENYC) on the opening of the Youth Farm Market, a Green Market featuring fresh produce and other products. The market operates from July to November, 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. weather permitting. The Youth Market Program is jointly sponsored by GrowNYC, Make the Road, the Myrtle Avenue BID and the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation.
Also, at this same location each Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M, Make the Road presents cooking demonstrations featuring fresh & local produce with free samples for all.
Clemens Triangle
Ridgewood Veterans Triangle
Venditti Square
71st Avenue Plaza