I reported last week that the Washington Square Park Task Force and Community Board 2 Parks Committee were meeting Wednesday, December 3rd. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this meeting would also include an NYC Parks Department “presentation” on Phase II of the Washington Square Park redesign. This should be rich. I mean, of course, worth seeing.
According to the Community Board 2 web site, the meeting will include: “Public comment on a presentation by the Parks Dept. of design elements for Washington Square Park Reconstruction Phase II, including paths and seating and the ‘mounds’.”
Details:
Wednesday, December 3rd @ 6:30 PM (Tonite!)
Church of Our Lady of Pompeii (Father Demo Hall), 25 Carmine Street, between Bedford and Bleecker, Manhattan.
Trains: A,B,C,D,E,F to West 4th Street/Washington Square (exit at West 3rd)
** Note: Here is what I think can still be done (changed) in the next phase; here are the main points:
1. No Conservancy
2. Preserve the Seating Alcoves Along the Northern, Eastern and Southeastern Edges of the Park.
3. Increase back the Public Space around the Fountain coming in from the East Side.
4. Save the Park’s Trees – Work them into the design.
5. Get rid of the “decorative speared” fencing and (while at it) bring back the lower height.
6. Save the “Teen Plaza” and maintain (don’t reduce – the reduction makes no sense for performers) the height of the performance stage.
It’s time for the Parks Department to be fiscally responsible and, as a City agency, accountable to New Yorkers.
Oh, and I’d love to see the Washington Square Park Task Force meet just to meet on its own and not based on the New York City Parks Department’s call to order.
So what happened last night?
Hi Be,
It’s tonite actually! Update tomorrow ?
Thanks for stopping by. More to come…
Cathryn.
Oh wow, I had no idea they would be presenting on Phase 2. Did you get to go? That’s a little devious that they snuck the presentation in like that. The original notice I got just said the task force would be meeting — nothing about a Parks Department presentation, and public comment on these newly revealed plans. Now I’m REALLY upset that I couldn’t go…
I know, Tara. I was surprised also.
I did attend and I’ll write more on it today.
Thanks!
Cathryn.
FYI — Update tomorrow ! Not today.
Cathryn.
I’m so glad you were able to go. I’m definitely bracing myself for what you learned at this meeting… My naïve hope is that they are cutting back on their original over the top plans due to a now dead economy, and are now planning to clean, repave, and generally give some TLC to what is already there in the rest of the park (wishful thinking, I know)! Maybe they will act with some sense, and realize essential workers and services shouldn’t get cut so NYU and yuppies don’t have their eyes burned by a place that isn’t glossy, perfect, and vacuous.