100 Years of Service and Counting: Park Named for McTygue Family

On the west side of Saratoga Springs is a neighborhood known for Greek and Victorian style buildings intermixed with modern shops and market. 

While the Franklin Square neighborhood used to be the site of hotels and the city’s rail stop, the area is filled with small businesses and residences. Among the old and new is a small park with colorful fountain, trees and benches. 

Now the park will bear the name of a McTygue family, a family who’s lineage includes a city judge, several Public Works Commissioners and a legacy and a legacy that can be seen by all residents across the city. 

“If there’s a family name that deserves to have a plaque and a little park in their name, it’s the McTygues,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford. 

The park was officially renamed in a ceremony held on Sept. 20 at the park after the Saratoga Springs City Council unanimously approved the renaming back in December 2024. Funding for the name plaque came from local developer Robert Israel and Builder Sonny Bonacio who worked with Thomas McTygue in developing the area and creating the park. 

Thomas McTygue served as Public Works Commissioner from 1972-1978 and from 1982-2008. Isreal said that prior to the park’s creation, there were traffic and safety concerns stemming from the unused piece of roadway in the spot where the park now stands. While there had been plans to create something, it wasn’t until Thomas’ gave his go ahead that the plan went ahead. 

“He [ Thomas] said, Bob, you put up the money, I’ll put up all the men,” Isreal said in reference to a conversation he had with Thomas. “I gave the money for the initial park, and two weeks later, he had his entire crew here; digging up the street, planting trees, putting water lines, putting in the plants, and installing the fountain. We never had a dedication because probably everyone thought it was going to turn into a weed plot, but it turned out really great.”

Bonacio told a similar story of running into Thomas when he first started his work in the area. According to Bonacio, he was looking at a property in Franklin Square when Thomas pulled up in a city truck and asked what he was doing. When Bonacio told Thomas he was looking to follow Isreal’s lead in buying and restoring a building in the neighborhood, Thomas cracked a joke but encouraged Bonacio to go for it. 

“He looked at me and shook his head,” Bonacio recalled “He goes, ‘Bob’s nuts, you know. But I’m hoping that you will do that so that me, you and Bob can actually do the park across the street.’” 

In addition to Thomas’ work as Comissioner of Public Works, several other members of the family have played key roles in the history of the city. It started with Michael McTygue who served as City Judge from 1918-1924 and continued with Charles McTygue, Thomas’ father who also served as Commissioner of Public Works from 1947-1965 and his brother William McTygue who served as Deputy Commissioner and Director of Public Works from 1999-2010. 

William continues to serve the city as a member of the city’s planning board. 

Beyond just the park, the McTygue family was also instrumental in the preservation of the Canfield Casino, and Kaydeross Park Carousel — among other projects.

In her remarks, Lisa McTygue, Thomas’ daughter, thanked those who made the park happen and for recognizing the work of her family. She also expressed hope that people would continue to use the park. 

“We hope this park will continue to be a place of gathering, reflection and joy,” Lisa said.