Duarte Square facts for kids
Duarte Square is a small, triangular park in New York City. It's located in a part of Lower Manhattan called Hudson Square. The park is about half an acre in size. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) takes care of the park. It is surrounded by streets like Sullivan Street, Grand Street, Sixth Avenue, and Canal Street.
The Story of Duarte Square
In the late 1600s, the land where Duarte Square now stands was a farm. It belonged to Trinity Church. The park as we know it today was officially opened in 1945. This happened when Sixth Avenue was renamed the Avenue of the Americas. This new name celebrated "Pan-American unity," which means friendship and cooperation among countries in North and South America.
In 1975, the park got some improvements. New benches, trees, and sidewalks were added. A few years later, in 1977, the park's care was given to NYC Parks.
The Statue of Juan Pablo Duarte
In 1978, a special statue was placed in the square. It honors Juan Pablo Duarte, who was a very important leader. He was one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. The statue was dedicated on his 165th birthday.
The statue is a thirteen-foot-tall bronze figure. It was designed by an Italian sculptor named Nicola Arrighini. The bronze figure stands on an eight-foot-tall granite base. This statue is one of several monuments to Latin American leaders found along the Avenue of the Americas.
LentSpace: A Neighboring Art Space
Right next to Duarte Square, across Sullivan Street, is another area known as "Duarte Square." This plot of land is mostly owned by Trinity Wall Street. It is fenced off and used for a special arts program called LentSpace. This program offers a place for art and cultural events.
In 2011, this area became well-known during the Occupy Wall Street movement. People gathered in Duarte Park and nearby streets for demonstrations. Some people tried to enter the LentSpace area.
