history of park’s redesign plan

New Relocated 24 Hour Large Dog Run at Washington Sq Park Will Open End of May Along Washington Square South | Existing Large Dog Run Continues to Flood After Rain

New Relocated 24 Hour Large Dog Run at Washington Sq Park Will Open End of May Along Washington Square South | Existing Large Dog Run Continues to Flood After Rain

May 12, 2013

This flooding situation has been a problem in Washington Square’s large dog run for awhile now and I gather that the Parks Department figured, at this point, they would wait for the new dog run to open – the new 24 hour dog run (that apparently nobody asked for) in a new location (which pretty much [...]

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My first piece at the Huffington Post, Privatization of the Commons in Mayor Bloomberg's New York (Part I)

My first piece at the Huffington Post, Privatization of the Commons in Mayor Bloomberg’s New York (Part I)

April 16, 2013

My first piece at the Huffington Post, Privatization of the Commons in Mayor Bloomberg’s New York – Part I, ran yesterday, April 15, 2013. Part II is coming soon! “The town square … may well become valuable just because it is associated with custom and history within a given community. Keeping this resource in the [...]

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The "Mounds" ... Then, 1977, and Now, Currently Under Construction, Washington Square Park Redesign Phase III

The “Mounds” … Then, 1977, and Now, Currently Under Construction, Washington Square Park Redesign Phase III

April 2, 2013

The “Mounds” as they originally were… 1977: In later years, as they were unused and falling apart: Currently under construction: The “Mounds” at Washington Square Park have, in more recent years, had a certain ‘love ‘em or hate ‘em’ quality to them. They were built as part of the 1970 design and located in the [...]

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Happy New Year | Community Board 2 Parks Committee Meets to Discuss WSP Tonite, January 2nd, After 20 Month Hiatus

Happy New Year | Community Board 2 Parks Committee Meets to Discuss WSP Tonite, January 2nd, After 20 Month Hiatus

January 2, 2013

Happy New Year! I’m pleased to report that, after a 20 month lapse, there will be a meeting tonight, Wednesday, January 2nd, of Community Board 2′s Parks Committee to discuss Washington Square Park’s construction status, among other parks. The last meeting where WSP was discussed was in April of 2011. Of note, that last meeting [...]

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Blog Calendar of Posts | Garibaldi Statue

Blog Calendar of Posts | Garibaldi Statue

November 10, 2012

So, beginning next week, this site will be updated Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and at times more for ‘breaking’ news. I think that is the best schedule for right now so check in – Garibaldi at last un-barricaded and freed of a tree limb. I think Garibaldi was better served in his previous location which was [...]

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New "Mounds" at Washington Square Park Taking Shape - but in what form?

New "Mounds" at Washington Square Park Taking Shape – but in what form?

August 16, 2012

The somewhat controversial “Mounds” at Washington Square Park are starting to take some shape in the Southwestern mid-section of the park. Originally part of Phase II of the park’s redesign, they were moved into Phase III construction, going on now. I’ve always been a little confused by the Mounds — as I indicated in this [...]

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Washington Square Music Festival Responds to Post on Scaling Back of Performances and Festival Relationship to Washington Sq Association

Washington Square Music Festival Responds to Post on Scaling Back of Performances and Festival Relationship to Washington Sq Association

August 3, 2012

On Tuesday (7/31), this post appeared on this blog: Washington Square Music Festival Dramatically Scaled Back Performances at Washington Square Park This Year Due to Park Redesign; Final Concert of 54th Season Tonight. Washington Square Music Festival Executive Director Peggy Friedman, while not questioning the substance of the piece itself, wrote in to offer her position [...]

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Washington Square Music Festival Dramatically Scaled Back Performances at Washington Square Park This Year Due to Park Redesign; Final Concert of 54th Season Tonight

Washington Square Music Festival Dramatically Scaled Back Performances at Washington Square Park This Year Due to Park Redesign; Final Concert of 54th Season Tonight

July 31, 2012

Updated-There is a story behind the scaled back number of concerts the Washington Square Music Festival is performing this year at Washington Square Park. Traditionally, the Festival, which has performed in its namesake park for 54 years, would present four or five concerts each season at the landmark park. This year, the number of concerts [...]

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WSP Redesign Phase III begins! No Restrooms for one Year? Asbestos Removal from Old Buildings, "Pergola" and New Mounds on the Way

WSP Redesign Phase III begins! No Restrooms for one Year? Asbestos Removal from Old Buildings, "Pergola" and New Mounds on the Way

June 25, 2012

At last, Phase III (well, technically IV) of Washington Square Park‘s dramatic, lavish redesign began last week! I’ve been working on updating the site so that’s taken some priority lately. Two park activists informed me on the same day that there will be no use of the park’s bathrooms for ONE YEAR while Phase III [...]

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Chess Plaza Opened Today!

Chess Plaza Opened Today!

March 7, 2012

Well, it took 29 months, but, at last, the Chess Plaza and SW Quadrant – Phase II-B of construction at the Park – has opened today! It feels smaller and a bit less cozy than before. Well, it IS smaller. The Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and I had a bit of a back-and-forth back in [...]

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