Where?

Washington Square Park is located on 5’Th Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and MacDougal St.

There is a marsh, parade grounds, playgrounds, and cemetery. It is well known for its marble arch that was made in to honor George Washington. The arch is about 43 years old. This is an unofficial icon of both the Greenwich Village and NYU.

In the early 20’Th Century, Greenwich Village was a distinguished upper class neighborhood. Washington Square was a landmark and it was the heart of the neighborhood.

The park in the 70’s was like Central Park today. It was a meeting spot for artists, young adults, and people would often bring their kids to the playgrounds. The park was also a pet friendly park. Many active Chess players would also come here to compete.

Washington Square Park was also known for many important attractions. One of these was “The Cage,” which was officially known as the West Fourth Street Courts. It was accessible to basketball and hand-ball Players. It was also the hosting ground for the most important “street-ball” tournaments.

NYU has held many art pieces in the Grey Art Gallery bordering Washington Square Park since 1975. It is well known for its museum quality exhibitions of contemporary art.

Student activism was a major part of university life. Students often engaged in civil rights movements and anti-war movements here. They also played a role in making changes within the university with the use of sit-ins, boycotts, and marches protesting against the institution and dormitory rate increases.

This park was where Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe met when she first arrived in NYC. This was in the summer, July of 1967. They quickly became friends, then lover’s, and most importantly they inspired each other. In her book she quotes;

“One Indian summer day we dressed in our favorite things, me in my beatnik sandals and ragged scarves, and Robert with his love beads and sheepskin vest. We took the subway to West Fourth Street and spent the afternoon in Washington Square. We shared coffee from a thermos, watching the stream of tourists, stoners, and folksingers. Agitated revolutionaries distributed antiwar leaflets. Chess players drew a crowd of their own. Everyone coexisted within the continuous drone of verbal diatribes, bongos, and barking dogs.”
“We were walking toward the fountain, the epicenter of activity, when an older couple stopped and openly observed us. Robert enjoyed being noticed, and he affectionately squeezed my hand.
“‘Oh, take their picture,’ said the woman to her bemused husband, ‘I think they’re artists.’
“‘Oh, go on,’ he shrugged. ‘They’re just kids.’”

 

 

References

1. “Greenwich Village.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

2. “History of NYU.” History of NYU. NYU, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

3. Maslin, Janet. “Bohemian Soul Mates in Obscurity.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Jan. 2010. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

4. “Washington Square Park.” : NYC Parks. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.

5. “Washington Square Park.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.