As reopening approaches, residents come together to address safety concerns in Montefiore Square As reopening approaches, residents come together to address safety concerns in Montefiore Square Joao Santos / Staff Photographer By Lucy Brenner | March 10, 2021, 11:22 PM Nestled in Hamilton Heights between West 138th Street and Broadway, Montefiore Square was once a small, lively park that served as a center for community involvement. But as benches were removed and its grassy interior was gated in the 1990s to prevent drug dealing, community members noted that it was more difficult to use and enjoy the park to its fullest extent. Renovation plans, announced in 2019, seemed to offer promise for residents hoping to take advantage of the park.