Zuccotti Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Zuccotti Park
(2015)
Type	Plaza
Location	Financial District, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Area	33,000 square feet (3,100 m²)
Created	1968 (1968)
Etymology	John E. Zuccotti, Brookfield Properties CEO
Operated by	Brookfield Properties
Status	Open all year

Zuccotti Park (once called Liberty Plaza Park) is a public park in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It covers about 33,000 square feet. This park is special because it's a "privately owned public space" (POPS). This means a private company, Brookfield Properties, owns and manages it, but it's open for everyone to use.

The park is surrounded by important streets like Broadway, Liberty Street, Trinity Place, and Cedar Street. It was built in 1968 by a company called United States Steel. At first, it was named Liberty Plaza Park because it was close to a building called One Liberty Plaza. The park is a popular spot for both local people and visitors.

Zuccotti Park was badly damaged during the September 11 attacks in 2001. After being repaired and updated, it was renamed Zuccotti Park in 2006. The new name honors John E. Zuccotti, who was a chairman of Brookfield Properties. In 2011, the park became famous as the main gathering place for the Occupy Wall Street protests.

History of Zuccotti Park
Sculptures in the Park
Images for kids
See also

History of Zuccotti Park

The land where Zuccotti Park now stands has a long history. In 1696, the first coffeehouse in colonial New York City, called The King's Arms, opened here.

Early Gatherings and Protests

On November 5, 1773, a large crowd gathered outside the coffeehouse. They were called together by the Sons of Liberty. People came to protest the Tea Act and the actions of the East India Company. This protest was one of the first public demonstrations against the Tea Act in the American colonies.

How the Park Was Created

The park was officially created in 1968. United States Steel, the company that owned the land, worked with city officials. They agreed to create the park in exchange for permission to build a taller building nearby. This new building, One Liberty Plaza, replaced older buildings like the Singer Building.

The Park After 9/11

Zuccotti Park was one of the few open spaces in the Financial District with places to sit. Because it was only one block from the World Trade Center, it was covered in dust and debris after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The park was then used as a base for the rescue and cleanup efforts.

As part of rebuilding Lower Manhattan, the park was repaired. New trees were planted, and the tables and seats were fixed.

The park at night during the holiday season

On June 1, 2006, the park reopened after an $8 million renovation. It was then renamed Zuccotti Park. The park now has many different trees, granite paths, and plenty of tables and seats. Lights built into the ground make the area bright at night. Because it is so close to the 9/11 Memorial, Zuccotti Park is a popular place for tourists to visit. The World Trade Center cross, an important symbol from 9/11, was displayed in Zuccotti Park before it moved to the 9/11 Memorial.

Occupy Wall Street Protests

Starting on September 17, 2011, Zuccotti Park was used by protesters during Occupy Wall Street.

In 2011, Zuccotti Park became the main site for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Many protesters stayed in the park day and night, even though park rules did not allow overnight stays. Police tried to remove the protesters several times. On November 15, 2011, police officers used floodlights and cleared out the park. Tents and other shelters were removed. Some protesters resisted, leading to arrests and the use of pepper spray.

After the park was reopened, officials said that protesters could still use the park to express their views. However, they were not allowed to sleep or camp there. Some protesters tried to stay, which caused more conflicts with the police. After being fully removed from Zuccotti Park, the protesters gathered again and tried to use other locations.

Sculptures in the Park

Zuccotti Park is home to three interesting sculptures:

Joie de Vivre by Mark di Suvero
Double Check by John Seward Johnson II
Rose III by Isa Genzken

Joie de Vivre is a tall sculpture, about 70 feet high, made of bright-red beams. It was placed in Zuccotti Park in 2006. An art critic named Benjamin Genocchio said the sculpture fit the location well, looking like the skyscrapers around it. Double Check shows a bronze businessman sitting on a bench, which is a fun detail for visitors to spot.