This project will be presented at Conflux HQ Friday, September 12, from 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM as part of the Friday Presentation Series. Tickets can be purchased here.

Project Description::

Privatization of space. Reduction of public space. Commodification of public space. These issues are happening across New York City. Why is public space so important anyway? How does public space relate to art, and creativity, and people coming together?

Cathryn Swan writes the Washington Square Park Blog which explores changes to New York City through our public spaces and is an outlet for activism/pr/media all-in-one. She explores what the changes to historic and much-loved Washington Square Park are, changes to other NYC public spaces, and how they impact our day-to-day lives.

Washington Square Park is renowned as a place where people interact in unique ways, creating art and music, politics and conversation. Project for Public Spaces concluded: “As a neighborhood park and civic gathering place, [Washington Square Park] may be one of the great public spaces in the world.” And yet the City of New York is trying to change everything about this highly functioning park with a controversial and expensive redesign.

Although most New Yorkers think that Washington Square Park was fine as it was, with just a few repairs and maintenance needed, costs for its redesign are now spiraling upwards to $25-30 million. Tthe question is “Why?” Why is virtually every piece of the Park being moved into a different location? Why is the famous fountain being moved 23 feet east to “align” with the historic Arch at Fifth Avenue (after 137 years ‘un’ aligned)? Public space is being reduced, more “garden” is being added. Sitting areas are being removed and quaint “plazas” are being instituted. Walkways are being reduced. The status of the chess tables is unknown. The flow of the park is being impeded.

Washington Square Park Blog, through activism and writing, works to expose the “process,” what the changes mean - and will mean, explore the history of the park, and what can be done to preserve this unique public space.

The changes in New York City related to public space issues don’t end with Washington Square Park. Changes are happening to Union Square Park, Ridgewood Reservoir, Yankee Stadium Parkland, Randalls Island and more.

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