Greeley Square is a triangular pocket park that forms the southern half of a Broadway bowtie, where 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue cross. The park takes its name from Horace Greeley, the influential nineteenth century publisher of the New York Tribune. (The New York Herald, the Tribune’s rival newspaper, is commemorated in the uptown portion of the bowtie, Herald Square.)

Earlier this year, Greeley and Herald Squares earned a nomination for the ULI Amanda Burden Open Space award, which recognizes public destinations that have “enriched and revitalized the surrounded community.”

Indeed, with its artful design, moveable chairs and, thanks to DOT, new pedestrian zones flanking Broadway, Herald and Greeley Squares provide an urban respite in the midst of the Midtown bustle.

Despite its prime location, Herald and Greeley Squares weren’t always an award-winning public spaces. A 2000 New York Times article references parks’ past as “symbols of blighted New York,” describing the site design as “cracked slabs set in the midst of cacophonous traffic … scraggly bushes along the edges and some benches, where homeless people dozed and drug dealers rested between sales.”

In 1996, the parks came under the control of the 34th Street Partnership, a business improvement district that covers 31 midtown blocks. The BID launched a $2.25 million revitalization to transform Herald and Greeley Square from hardscaped concrete island to a green, inviting public space. This redesign incorporated amenities that were both functional (public restrooms) and visually appealing (raised flower beds). Representatives from 34th Street Partnership will be on hand at the Potluck to the revitalization efforts.

As always, the Design Trust will provide the essentials: plates, utensils, cups, etc. We ask that guests bring a dish or drink to share. Feel free to invite your friends and fellow urbanists. Don’t forget to RSVP at rsvp@designtrust.org.

What: Greeley Square Public Space Potluck
When: Wednesday, April 28th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Between 33rd and 32nd Streets, where Broadway and Sixth Avenue cross, Manhattan
Transit: 34th Street Herald Square Station [B, D. F, N, Q, R, V, W]

In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled. We will make an announcement via email to those that have RSVP’d and also post on the blog.