Washington Square Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Square Park |
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The Washington Square Arch, at the park's northern gateway
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| Type | Municipal public park |
| Area | 9.75 acres (4 ha) |
| Created | 1871 |
| Operated by | New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Status | Open |
| Public transit access | Subway:        to West Fourth Street–Washington Square,    to Eighth Street–New York UniversityBus: M1, M2, M3, M8, M55 |
Washington Square Park is a public park in the Greenwich Village area of Lower Manhattan, New York City. It covers about 9.75 acres (4 hectares). This park is one of New York City's most famous public spaces. It is a popular meeting spot and a center for cultural activities. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation manages the park.
The park is an open space with the impressive Washington Square Arch at its northern entrance. It has a long history of celebrating unique ideas and people. The park's fountain area is a favorite spot for many. Many buildings around the park were once homes or studios for artists. Today, some of these buildings belong to New York University. Others have been changed into places for learning or living.
Exploring Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is located at the start of Fifth Avenue. It is surrounded by several streets. These include Washington Square North (also called Waverly Place), Washington Square East (also called University Place), Washington Square South (also called West 4th Street), and Washington Square West (also called MacDougal Street).
The park has many flower beds and trees. However, most of the park is paved. Its two main features are the Washington Square Arch and a large fountain. The park also offers fun areas for kids to play. There are paths for walking, and spots for chess and scrabble. You can find park benches, picnic tables, and special statues. There are also two areas just for dogs.
Statues and monuments in the park honor important figures. These include George Washington, the first U.S. president. You can also see a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian soldier and patriot. He led forces in Italy's fight for unification. Another monument honors Alexander Lyman Holley, a skilled engineer. He helped start the American steel industry.
The New York City Police Department uses security cameras in the park. NYC Parks also has security officers. The area is known for being very safe.
Park History
Early Days and Burials
Long ago, a narrow, wet valley with Minetta Creek ran through this land. In the early 1600s, a Native American village called Sapokanican was nearby. By the mid-1600s, Dutch farmers used the land. The Dutch gave land outside the city limits to Angolan residents. This land was meant to be a buffer zone against Native Americans.
In 1643, some "half-freed" enslaved people received land grants. They were to build and maintain farms in this area. These families were no longer fully enslaved. But they had to give part of their farm profits to the Dutch West India Company. They also paid yearly land fees. Their children would be born into slavery. This area became an early African American community. It was known as the Land of the Blacks.
The land remained farmland until 1797. The Common Council of New York bought fields east of the creek. They created a new public burial ground, called a "potter's field." It was mainly used for people who were unknown or very poor. During yellow fever outbreaks in the early 1800s, many victims were buried here. This was done to keep the disease away from the main town.
A popular story says a large elm tree in the park was an old hanging tree. However, records suggest this tree was in a private garden. Only one public hanging is recorded at the potter's field. Witnesses disagreed on where the gallows stood. The cemetery closed in 1825. Today, the remains of over 20,000 people are still under Washington Square Park.
From Parade Ground to Park
In 1826, the city bought more land west of Minetta Creek. The area was then flattened and became the Washington Military Parade Ground. This was a public space where volunteer soldiers trained.
By the 1830s, the streets around the square became a very popular place to live. The beautiful Greek Revival style houses on the north side of the park are still there from that time.
Between 1849 and 1850, the parade ground was changed into the first park on the site. More paths were added, and a new fence was built. In 1871, the park came under the care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. It was redesigned again with curving paths.
Building the Arch
In 1889, a large arch made of plaster and wood was built. This was to celebrate 100 years since George Washington became president. It stood over Fifth Avenue, just north of the park. People loved this temporary arch so much. So, in 1892, a permanent arch was built. It was made of Tuckahoe marble and designed by architect Stanford White. The arch stands 77 feet (23 meters) tall. It was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. During its construction, human remains and a tombstone from 1803 were found deep underground.
The first fountain near the arch was finished in 1852. It was replaced in 1872. The New-York Daily Times (now The New York Times) wrote about the fountain's completion in its first edition. The statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi was revealed in 1888. In 1918, two statues of George Washington were added to the north side of the arch.
Changes in the 20th Century
In 1934, Robert Moses became the parks commissioner. He wanted to completely redesign the park. But local people fought against his plans for three decades.
Moses had the fountain updated to also be a wading pool. In 1952, he planned to extend 5th Avenue through the park. He wanted to push it through the neighborhood south of the park. Area residents, including Eleanor Roosevelt, strongly disagreed. Urban planner Jane Jacobs became a key activist. She is often credited with stopping Moses's plan. She also helped close Washington Square Park to all car traffic.
Another important local leader was Shirley Hayes. She started a public outcry when large apartment buildings were built near the park. When a city official suggested an elevated walkway over a four-lane road through the park, Ms. Hayes began "Save the Square!" This was a seven-year effort to keep cars out of the park. Hayes and her supporters rejected all plans for a road. She proposed turning road areas into parkland. She also suggested a paved area for emergency vehicles only. All other vehicles would be banned. This plan gained wide support, including from Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1958, a trial period began with no cars in the park. By August 1959, Ms. Hayes's efforts succeeded. Washington Square Park has been completely closed to traffic ever since. A plaque in the park honors her work.
Mid and Late 20th Century Activities
After World War II, folksingers often gathered at the park's fountain on warm Sunday afternoons. The city government began to limit public performances. In 1947, permits were required for performances in city parks.
In spring 1961, the parks commissioner refused a permit for the folksingers. He said they were bringing "undesirable elements" into the park. On April 9, 1961, folk music supporter Izzy Young and about 500 musicians gathered. They sang without a permit. Then they marched from the park to the Judson Memorial Church. The New York City Police Department arrived in the park. There was a conflict, and some people were arrested. This event made headlines in newspapers.
Park Renovations in the 21st Century
In December 2007, NYC Parks began a project to redesign Washington Square Park. The project was expected to cost $16 million. Changes included moving the fountain slightly off-center. This was to make it line up better with the arch. The plan also involved replacing the park's fence with a taller one. The central plaza, a gathering space, was to be flattened and made smaller.
Many people opposed these plans. They felt the changes would make the park less public. Several lawsuits were filed to challenge the renovation. In July 2006, a judge stopped work on the fountain area. The judge said NYC Parks had not been clear about the project. However, this ruling was later overturned. Other lawsuits were also dismissed.
Phase one of the renovation finished on May 22, 2009. A group called the Coalition for a Better Washington Square Park began raising money. They wanted to hire off-duty police and workers to patrol the park. On June 2, 2011, the eastern half of the park reopened. The entire renovation was completed in 2014, costing $30.6 million.
In July 2020, the northwest lawn reopened after a year of restoration. This included new grass for over 39,000 square feet (3,600 square meters) of green space. Funding for this $170,000 project came from Ray Dalio's Dalio Philanthropies.
Cultural Importance of the Park
Washington Square has always been a lively place for politics and culture in New York City.
Performers and Entertainers
Street performers are a key part of Washington Square Park. For many years, visitors have enjoyed buskers, musicians, and poets. In 2013, new rules were put in place for entertainers. Performers could be fined if they sold items too close to monuments, benches, or fences.
Protests and Demonstrations
In 1834, New York University decided to use prison labor for a new building near the park. This was cheaper than hiring local stonemasons. The city's stoneworkers felt this was unfair. They held a rally in Washington Square Park. This led to the city's first labor march. It turned into a disturbance. Soldiers were called to calm the situation. New York University continued to use prison labor.
On Labor Day, September 2, 1912, about 20,000 workers marched to the park. They honored the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. This fire had killed 146 workers the year before. Many women wore blouses similar to those made by the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. This style became a symbol of working women's independence. In 1915, over 25,000 people marched from the park up Fifth Avenue. They demanded women's right to vote.
See also
In Spanish: Washington Square Park para niños
