Greenacre Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Greenacre Park
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(2018)
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 Location in Manhattan
Location in New York City
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 217 E. 51st St., New York, New York |
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| Built | 1971 |
| NRHP reference No. | 100002076 |
| Added to NRHP | February 2, 2018 |
Greenacre Park is a special small park in New York City. It's located on East 51st Street in the Turtle Bay area of Manhattan. Even though it's privately owned, anyone can visit it! The park was created in 1971. It was a gift from Abby Rockefeller Mauzé, who was a very generous person. She wanted to give New Yorkers a peaceful place to relax.
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Discover Greenacre Park's Features
Greenacre Park is about 6,360 square feet in size. This might sound small, but it's packed with cool things to see and do. The park was built on three old lots that used to have a store, a garage, and part of a synagogue.
A Relaxing Oasis
One of the most amazing parts of the park is its tall waterfall. It's about 25 feet high! The sound of the water helps block out city noise. This makes the park a very calm place. You can sit at tables and chairs, perfect for eating lunch or reading a book.
Plants and Comfort
The park has many beautiful plants. You can see honey locust trees, colorful azaleas, and pansies. These plants make the park feel fresh and green. On cooler days, there's even a special trellis with heat lamps. This helps keep visitors warm and cozy. About 700 people visit Greenacre Park every day.
Protecting the Park's Sunlight
Sunlight is very important for parks. It helps plants grow and makes the space feel bright and welcoming. Greenacre Park has faced challenges to keep its sunny spots.
The "Fight for Light" Campaign
In 1980, there was a plan to build a new building that would have blocked the park's sunlight. People worked together to stop it. More recently, in 2017, a new city plan allowed taller buildings to be built nearby. The Greenacre Foundation, which owns the park, worried these new buildings would cast long shadows over the park. They said the park could be in the dark for much of the day.
Studies and Support
The city did a study that said the park would be fine. However, the Greenacre Foundation paid for their own study. This study showed that buildings on six specific sites could make the park completely dark. Because of this, the Foundation asked for rules to limit the height of buildings in those areas. This effort is called the "Fight for Light" campaign. Many groups and important people support it. These include the Municipal Art Society and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
National Recognition
Greenacre Park is a special place in New York City. In 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical and cultural site.
