Park where WWII hero played as a child is renamed in his honor

A World War II hero from Brooklyn is being honored in Greenpoint with a park being renamed in his honor.
Sgt. William Dougherty grew up playing in the park on the corner of Vandervoort Avenue and Anthony Street and as of today, his legacy will live on in the park.
The Greenpoint-native who fought during World War II was posthumously awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
The park recently underwent major renovations as part of the construction of the nearby Kosciuszko Bridge. Some of those renovations included a brand-new playground, skate park, basketball court, handball courts, water play area with spray showers and a comfort station.
Sgt. Dougherty’s family says they are excited to see all the work complete.
"It's wonderful. I wish my parents were alive to enjoy this with us. My mother, this with her brother and she dearly missed and was very upset at the time that he had passed away,” says William Metzger. “Such a beautiful day I’m so happy to see it.”
Sgt. Dougherty’s family added that they hope this will help keep his memory alive for years to come.