Comments on: Washington Square Park 1936 – With No Fences, Unaligned Fountain, etc. http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/washington-square-park-1936-with-no-fences-unaligned-fountain-etc/ the chronicles of a beloved park and a city government overcome by its own power Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:45:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Arthur Remes http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/washington-square-park-1936-with-no-fences-unaligned-fountain-etc/#comment-2474 Arthur Remes Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:03:34 +0000 http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/?p=3950#comment-2474 I have just seen the Washington Square park renovation.It has been changed from one of the most beautiful public spaces in New York to one of the ugliest. The fountain was moved in front of the arch, blocking the view of the arch. On another sight line, a tree has been planted in front of the arch. It is now much harder to see the arch. Unbelievably ugly street lamps have been substituted for the old, beautiful streetlamps. The two level theater-like space has been flatted out and ugly benches put in place of the rim around the space. Meanwhile, broken pavement and bricks have been left all over the park. I have spent the last two years photographing the park as reference for a painting. I am glad I have the record of the lively, joyous space that once existed there. How could this happen? Why was so much money spent on fixing what wasn't broken, and not fixing what was? A sad day for New York. I have just seen the Washington Square park renovation.It has been changed from one of the most beautiful public spaces in New York to one of the ugliest. The fountain was moved in front of the arch, blocking the view of the arch. On another sight line, a tree has been planted in front of the arch. It is now much harder to see the arch. Unbelievably ugly street lamps have been substituted for the old, beautiful streetlamps. The two level theater-like space has been flatted out and ugly benches put in place of the rim around the space.

Meanwhile, broken pavement and bricks have been left all over the park.

I have spent the last two years photographing the park as reference for a painting. I am glad I have the record of the lively, joyous space that once existed there.

How could this happen? Why was so much money spent on fixing what wasn’t broken, and not fixing what was?

A sad day for New York.

]]> By: libhomo http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/washington-square-park-1936-with-no-fences-unaligned-fountain-etc/#comment-2301 libhomo Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:18:47 +0000 http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/?p=3950#comment-2301 It used to be so much better. Thanks Bloomberg. It used to be so much better. Thanks Bloomberg.

]]> By: Stacy Walsh Rosenstock http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/washington-square-park-1936-with-no-fences-unaligned-fountain-etc/#comment-2272 Stacy Walsh Rosenstock Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:47:55 +0000 http://washingtonsquarepark.wordpress.com/?p=3950#comment-2272 Beautiful! I also love the complete row of townhouses on Washington Square North and the clear view of the Empire State Building. Beautiful! I also love the complete row of townhouses on Washington Square North and the clear view of the Empire State Building.

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