Gramercy Park is a non-municipal fenced-in park situated between East 20th and 21st Streets in the Manhattan part of NYC. The history of Gramercy Park is as rich and varied as the city of New York itself. The area that's now Gramercy Park Manhattan started out as swamp land. In 1831, a developer named Samuel B. Ruggles (1800-1881) suggested the concept of a park on the property then owned by James Duane called Gramercy Farm.
Gramercy Park construction began with the draining of swamp land and the creation of parcels of land around what was to become the park. Initially the landscaping of the personal park began, which was surrounded by a fence erected in 1833 that still exists today, occurred over the next fifteen years. Further planting in 1916 slid the park's prim and formal design. Gramercy Park NY was opened to Union soldiers in 1863 to express thanks for safeguarding the park in the time of the the Civil War.
Gramercy Park history includes the neighborhoods surrounding the park. The Player's Club and two of New York City's first residences are among the well regarded architectural structures in the area. A statue of 19th century actor Edwin Booth as Hamlet was placed in the park by The Player's Club in 1916. Plenty of the city's oldest churches are found in the area with a once Underground Railroad location. A Victorian mansion that once served as a home for once State governor Samuel J. Tilden. It is also home to several charity foundations that are also found in the consequential areas surrounding the Gramercy.
There once was an attempt to run a cable car through Gramercy Park in 1890, but it was defeated by those seeking to preserve the park. In 1966, part of the park was appointed a historic district. The area incorporating the park was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. A 4.5 ton bronze sculpture known as Fantasy Fountain was added in 1983. The park remains one of New York's two privately owned parks, owned by the owners of the surrounding properties as intended by Mr. Ruggles when he first suggested the idea for a park in 1831. Today, the park is still famous for its lush greenery and flowers that bloom in early spring that jazz up the park well into the fall.
The land surrounding the park has retained its sense of style, regularly compared with London's West End. Zoning laws mean no building in the area is higher than 20 stories tall. However, most buidings in the area are just three to six stories tall. Gramercy Park Hotel was added to the location in 1925 and remains a popular place for Big Apple visitors to stay. A bunch of diners and bars known as Irving Place remains a popular place for New York locals and visitors to gather. The history of Gramercy Park is as rich and varied as the city itself and continues to delight all who enjoy the park.
Gramercy Park construction began with the draining of swamp land and the creation of parcels of land around what was to become the park. Initially the landscaping of the personal park began, which was surrounded by a fence erected in 1833 that still exists today, occurred over the next fifteen years. Further planting in 1916 slid the park's prim and formal design. Gramercy Park NY was opened to Union soldiers in 1863 to express thanks for safeguarding the park in the time of the the Civil War.
Gramercy Park history includes the neighborhoods surrounding the park. The Player's Club and two of New York City's first residences are among the well regarded architectural structures in the area. A statue of 19th century actor Edwin Booth as Hamlet was placed in the park by The Player's Club in 1916. Plenty of the city's oldest churches are found in the area with a once Underground Railroad location. A Victorian mansion that once served as a home for once State governor Samuel J. Tilden. It is also home to several charity foundations that are also found in the consequential areas surrounding the Gramercy.
There once was an attempt to run a cable car through Gramercy Park in 1890, but it was defeated by those seeking to preserve the park. In 1966, part of the park was appointed a historic district. The area incorporating the park was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. A 4.5 ton bronze sculpture known as Fantasy Fountain was added in 1983. The park remains one of New York's two privately owned parks, owned by the owners of the surrounding properties as intended by Mr. Ruggles when he first suggested the idea for a park in 1831. Today, the park is still famous for its lush greenery and flowers that bloom in early spring that jazz up the park well into the fall.
The land surrounding the park has retained its sense of style, regularly compared with London's West End. Zoning laws mean no building in the area is higher than 20 stories tall. However, most buidings in the area are just three to six stories tall. Gramercy Park Hotel was added to the location in 1925 and remains a popular place for Big Apple visitors to stay. A bunch of diners and bars known as Irving Place remains a popular place for New York locals and visitors to gather. The history of Gramercy Park is as rich and varied as the city itself and continues to delight all who enjoy the park.
About the Author:
Jeff Myers has been interested in parks in NYC like Gramercy Park for a long time. He has written many articles about this New York City parks, including transient histories and the top most engaging facts, please visit his site.
