Built in the 1820's on the site of a former potter's field and then public gallows, the Washington Square Park went through a series of redesigns and additions to achieve its current, well-known state. Initially, the park was a cemetery for yellow fever victims in the late 1700s; in its next incarnation, the park was a parade ground and a site for public hangings. In the latter part of the 19th century, it became a desirable residential area for the upper classes gradually moving uptown (as exemplified by Henry James' Washington Square), escaping the disease and congestion caused by the advent of immigrants to downtown New York. Surrounding the park today are original rows of red brick, high-stooped houses that have been preserved as historic landmarks, and now serve as NYU administrative offices.

The park has always been a famous 'beatnik' hangout popularized by the likes of Bob Dylan, Alan Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac, in part because of its natural vicinity to NYU and the cafes on Bleecker, Macdougal, and Sullivan Streets. These factors also made this park a favorite of West Village residents. However, by the middle of the 1960s, this peaceful, bohemian, and poetic park soon became populated by vagrants and derelicts.

In 1964, plans to redesign the park surfaced with much controversy between the "traditionalist" residents and the "modernist" Park Commissioner. Esteemed West Village residents, such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Jane Jacobs, believed that the Park Commissioner's plans for renovation would violate the park's natural character, and that the park needed simple renovations in keeping with its unique and quaint style. Most importantly, Jacobs and the other dissidents felt that the park had to be closed off to automobile traffic to preserve it as a respite from urban life, and create an unbroken promenade surrounding it. Eventually the Parks Commissioner agreed to the residents’ wishes.

The park enjoyed a brief revitalization following its new design, but then began to deteriorate into a center for drug dealing by the 1980s, following the decline and recession the entire city underwent at the time. In the '90s, it was reclaimed thanks to efforts by an active local community, and a police crackdown under Mayor Guiliani's administration. But even this success was not without controversies over the use of hidden cameras to monitor park activity, and the regulation of artists and vendors.

There are only a few drawbacks to Washington Square Park, most of which center around issues of overuse: There is only moderate ground maintenance; while there is some pretty landscaping, the grounds often have litter. There are a lot of green areas, but there could be more. By lunchtime in the warmer months, the grass is usually covered by people and it is almost impossible to find a spot for oneself. And since the central fountain does not have much water, all the surrounding concrete and asphalt does not provide the feeling of a respite from the city on a hot day.

plop the comments here:

Comments

Since I work near the park, during the summer, it is the best place to find shade or sun and an open seat when I want to eat lunch and in the winter, I can walk through and enjoy a moment of open space or do a little people watching. Plus, I've seen great free 'shows' put on in the central fountain. I think the park is great for visitors, the casual users, or regulars like me.

-- Carly Clark

One thing that was not mentioned is the chess tables. One my favorite things to do when walking through the Village is to stop in Washington Square Park and watch the speed chess games for a minute.

-- Ben Adler

Perhaps there is a way to allow the vagrants, drug dealers, police cameras and everyday people to co-exist in peace and harmony.

The key is that there were once gallows in the park. Simply suspend vagrants and drug dealers from newly re-created gallows in concealed harnesses, letting them hold the surveillance cameras while appearing to be the victims of justice.

Therefore, the police will be happy that miscreants have apparently met their just reward, the vagrants will have a job, and the drug dealers will be above the crowd so, while they could drop drugs down, they could not be paid, thus allowing them to grasp the ultimate futility of an existence based on desire.

-- Two Hands Clapping

I have stopped by Washington Square Park once to go to SOHO. In that time, even if I didn't know what it is, I was impressed because of a big and beautiful gate. Besides, when I was there, it was winter, so I couldn't see many people like pictures above. I'm thinking that I should be there again. Actually, I love this kind of places because people look free, comfortable, and having fun. Especially, in Washington Square Park, many young people gain. I think they really enjoy urban life. I love it!

-- Younghoon Kim

It is a wonderful place to relax for a while near NYU. The last time I was there, I really enjoyed the new street lamp covers that had been painted in pretty colors in the park. It added a distinct funkiness to what you were already watching. I also feel much more safe in the park because now many of the "drug dealers" are actually undercover cops.

-- Kate Spaulding

As a regular to this park I find it to be an absolutely oasis to this great neighborhood. Leave the park alone, it doesn't need any gates to restrict pedestrians. I have walked this park so many times at night, and nothing has even happened to me. I have never had any problems. It's a park, leave it open for the public at all times.

-- Tom Cronin

I love Washington State Park.The first time in NYC I went there with my best friend Jack and we had a wonderful time. It's fountain was like the old countrys in Europe and it was so peaceful there. Music filled the air as Jack and I talked . I will never forget Washington State Park.I hope to go back to Washinton State Park again.

-- tina keaney

Was hoping to see Washington State park again but my life has turned around in a way I wish it didn't. Washington State Park will always be in my heart. It has brought me so much bitter sweet memories of love. Kindness of people in NYC. Peaceful surroundings that stays with me forever. It will always stay with me forever.

-- tina keaney

We want to memorialize Jane Jacobs on the evening of May 23rd with a massive knit in WSP. Please check out our website for more information. www.massiveknit.org.

-- Massive Knit

For commentary on musicians performing in Washington Square Park, visit http://www.washingtonsquarelistener.org/

-- washingtonsquare listener

Washington Square Park held a "Musical Poets in Motion" Concert that included Danny Nova performing songs from his highly acclaimed CD, "Crushing the Stone"! Danny is said to be one on the greatest singers of out time and I believe it. Washington Square Park has never had so much fun or looked so good with Danny Nova's energy and talent. He rocked it!! The Vibe there was tremendous.

-- julie johnson

Ah, but how many of you knew it in its earlier years - in the 30s and 40s when it was playground for the Village children. How many knew there was once a bandstand and concerts, enough water in the fountain to do a little swim, a water fountain in the upper circle, a country fair with real sheep and Treasure Island sponsored by the WPA. Max Bodenheim, drunk and standing in the lower circle reciting poetry. Dr. Kachini in the same circle blowing puffs of cotton into the air for the birds. Riding an open double decker bus for 10¢. And most special of all, gathering under the arch on a snowy Christmas Eve with a huge Norway pine (I think given by Wanamaker's) and a Salvation Army band playing Christmas Carols and all of us joining in song - it was lovely!

-- carol shedd

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