in and around the park, public space, NYC & more
Washington Square Park “Renovation” Washington Square Park and Union Square Park are both in the midst of redesigns by New York City. There are some striking similarities in how these controversial plans of two historic … Read more…
Another story appeared over the weekend in the New York Times(3/22) “In a City Park, a Crime Against Nature” about the killing of 35 cedar trees in Inwood Hill Park. I’m amazed at the ability … Read more…
New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe is responsible for the felling of eleven 50-to-100 year old trees at Washington Square Park thus far. (The prominent tree in the center of this picture was axed … Read more…
It’s All a Chess Game The New York City Council Parks Committee held Preliminary hearings on the Parks Department budget yesterday, March 19th. My testimony follows. We would have liked to have heard some hard … Read more…
Alan Gerson — the NY City Council representative for District 1 in Manhattan, which covers Washington Square Park — was missing in action Wednesday March 19th at the City Council hearing on the Parks Department … Read more…
We’re amazed at all the layers that exist when one starts looking closely at the Washington Square Park issue. We have many ideas and information to share, some of which necessitates more research before reporting … Read more…
Figures don’t lie. But a lot of liars figure. The NYC Parks Department figures that the “new and improved” Washington Square Park will have just as much public space as the old one. But let’s … Read more…
See Village Voice article here. (They link to our blog entry on Bloomberg/NYU/Tisch Privatization of the Park within the story.) Spread the love
Yesterday’s Balloon Protest organized by NYU Theatre students was a big success! It was colorful and upbeat while simultaneously providing a platform for people to express their outrage over the City’s domineering plans for the … Read more…
Now is a good time to contact the New York City Council as they prepare for hearings next week on the Parks Department Preliminary Budget! The Parks Department needs further oversight by the New York … Read more…
A study of Washington Square Park in 2005 by the Project for Public Spaces concluded: “Washington Square Park is one of the best known and best-loved destinations in New York City. And as a neighborhood … Read more…
In the Inbox, we got news of an action NYU students are putting together for THIS Thursday, March 13th, inviting EVERYONE across the city to come by and express your thoughts & concerns about the … Read more…
Mark your calendars … We want money allocated for Parks in our city. There has been a 70 percent reduction in personnel at Parks across the City. (What is the real reason the Parks Department … Read more…
Do you have a Washington Square Park-related story? I’d like to intersperse the chronicles of the City descending on Washington Square Park with their redesign plans with historical notes and personal stories that might be … Read more…
Washington Square Park “Renovation” (note: fountain entirely torn up now; trees gone.) Washington Square Park first came into being as a Park in the 1850’s. It was a Potter’s field (a “common” burial ground) from … Read more…