Tompkins Square Park
Tompkins Square Park is a 10.5-acre (4.2 ha) public park in the Alphabet City portion of East Village, Manhattan, New York City. The square-shaped park, bounded on the north by East 10th Street, on the east by Avenue B, on the south by East 7th Street, and on the west by Avenue A, is abutted by St. Marks Place to the west. The park opened in 1834 and is named for Daniel D. Tompkins, Vice President of the United States.
This article is about the park in Manhattan. For the park in Brooklyn, formerly known as Tompkins Park, see Herbert Von King Park. For the Mumford & Sons song, see Tompkins Square Park (song).Tompkins Square Park
public
10.5 acres (4.2 ha)
1834
6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Open all year
Events[edit]
The outdoor drag festival Wigstock, held in the park, later became part of the Howl Festival, which ran annually until 2013.
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is a musical tribute to the famous former resident of Avenue B. In 2007, the New Village Music Festival was formed.[27] This is a community music festival dedicated to celebrating New York's diverse music scene. In addition, the event highlights the importance of music and cultural arts programs throughout the city.
There is also an annual event in early August commemorating the 1988 Police Riot that features neighborhood bands.[28]
The Food Not Bombs Manhattan chapter serves every Sunday in the park, rain or shine.[29]
Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation have a popular free outdoor French film festival which shows a critically acclaimed French films each Friday at sunset in city parks including Tompkins during June and July.[25][30]
Recreational facilities[edit]
Playgrounds[edit]
The main playground, closest to Avenue A, features jungle gyms, rock climbing features, and a water fountain flush with the ground. There is a large sandbox, swing sets, and benches. There are two smaller playgrounds in the section of the park near 7th Street and Avenue B. The main playground reopened in August 2009 after a year-long renovation.[34]
Transportation[edit]
The First Avenue station is located around four blocks (0.4 miles) away from Tompkins Square Park.
Notes
Further reading