| At the center of Greenwich
Village is this great park. At the entrance you'll find
the Washington Arch which may be considered to be a replica
of Paris' Arc de Triomphe. Like many other structures in this
city, it was built in celebration of George Washington's inauguration,
about 100 years earlier. Actually, there was originally a
wooden arch before this one went up. You'll see likeness'
of our president within the arch itself. Somehow though, this
structure looks alot more impressive at night than it does
during the day, 'don't ask why......maybe it's the lighting?....But
then, the same might be said of some of our bridges and buildings.
A little known fact about this structure is that it's hollowed
oug. Inside, above the arch, is a chamber lit up by small
skylights overhead. It can be reached by way of a dark staircase
within the arch's west pier.
Another tidbit is how its architect, Stanford White, was murdered
in 1906 and the trial of Harry K. Thaw held at the Jefferson
Market Library. This famous crime was later immortalized
in the book Ragtime.
Believe it or not, this land was once a burial ground. Its
trees at one time were used as gallows and the the park was
later turned into a parade ground until it became an actual
city park in 1827.
Perhaps one can consider this park to be the crossroads of
NYC culture. Here in Greenwich Village you'll find all sorts.
From teenaged/older skateboarders and NYU Students to beatniks,
has-beens and wanna-be's...'and of course there's everyone
else and in between.
Here you'll even see every form of dress, and on a good day,
just about any shade of hair color. It's a cool park to chill
out, so to speak. 'It speaks of freedom in the utmost way.
That is, if you can imagine that. By the fountain at the center
of the park you might even find performers, and maybe even
a comedian....On any hot spring/summer day I can guarantee
that you'll see plenty of people hanging around the fountain
at the center of the park. Yours truly got to pass by one
Sunday afternoon and it was an afternoon well spent. There
were entertainers playing guitars, singers and other sorts.
In 1997, our Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, decided to make this
park his entrance into a war on drugs in the streets and in
our parks. A native New Yorker can even remember the media's
mention of cameras being installed in the park as well as
an increase in undercover narcs. 'Don't know whatever happened
with all of that. Been there more often lately and it's more
beautiful now than ever. In all honesty, I think the park
is pretty safe during day and nighttime hours. For both NY
natives and out-of-towners, it's a great little park to wander
through, be it weekday or weekend, daytime or early evening.
So be sure to pay it a visit during one of your trips through
New York City whether as a tourist, native or newfound resident.
'Yet another NY gem! |
