Bryant Park, named after William Cullen Bryant, has had a long and uneven history – a potter’s field, Reservoir Park (sharing the block with the Croton Reservoir – future home of the NY Public Library), home of Civil War military drills, and the Crystal Palace Exhibition (1853). And it has gone through bleak periods – both in the 1930s and the 1970s, it became one of the worst parks in NYC. In the 1970s, the park was essentially dominated by drug dealers, prostitutes, and the homeless, often referred to as “Needle Park”. Click here for a history.
In 1992, the park was reopened after a privately funded restoration. With its formal French gardens and crushed stone walkways, it is reminiscent of the Jardin du Luxembourg of Paris. The restoration has been one of the greatest turnaround successes in recent NYC history – the park is frequently cited as an example of how positive transformation can occur even in what appears to be a lost cause. Now the park has restaurants and cafes, kiosks, and free WIFI internet access (click here for more photos). On Mondays in the summer, HBO sponsors outdoor movies. The park also hosts many other programs and events. Check out the Bryant Park official site…














