Many find the NW Corner of Washington Square Park one of the most beautiful spots in the city. Stepping into the space feels like stepping into a forest. You’re surrounded by tall evergreens and the English Elm tree—one of the oldest trees in the city at approximately 350 years old— stands tall and proud above the marble tabletops. 

But a forest-like atmosphere isn’t what the NW corner is best known for. In recent years it has become notorious for being the place in Washington Square Park where illicit behavior is most on display. Illegal substances are sold and used, suspicious beverages are consumed from crinkled paper bags, and small knots of people huddle together, gambling or nodding off at the tables and benches for hours on end. 

In 2019 WSPC began hosting a weekly children’s arts and crafts program in the NW Corner. A scheduled program like this requires a permit from NYC Parks, which allows the organizer to dictate use in a specific area. WSPC-funded Youth Activities Coordinator—best known as Miss Debbie—would roll into the corner on Wednesday afternoons with some of the Parks’s maintenance and operations staff and tell everyone it was time to clear out for the kids. The staff would clean the corner, ensuring that nothing dangerous was left lying behind. Miss Debbie would lay her supplies out across all 8 tables, completely utilizing the space and transforming it into a bright, colorful corner filled with laughing children. It only took a few weeks before the NW corner crew would see her coming, and start helping with the clean up efforts, telling Miss Debbie, “anything for the kids.”

While the illicit behavior would creep back once the activity wrapped up, the innocence of the children seemed to hold sway for at least a little while. A gradual improvement started taking hold, with the NW corner becoming a more welcoming place even when programs weren’t running. Unfortunately, during the pandemic all outdoor programming ceased, and as the ongoing crisis exacerbated already existing problems, the NW corner deteriorated.

Washington Square Park is a microcosm of New York City; whatever is affecting NYC is affecting WSP. So while it was upsetting, it was unsurprising that the Park faced increasing challenges with illicit and illegal behavior as COVID-19 bore down. Early in the pandemic, programs were not possible. Later in the season, NYC  designated WSP as a general use space, so no events permits for the WSP were issued in an effort to keep every area open and accessible to any who wanted to use it. That made finding ways to make a positive impact harder. After months of ongoing issues, NYC Parks chose to close the corner to the public in early summer 2021.

With dedicated attention, the situation is  beginning to take a turn for the better. Much of that is thanks to the efforts of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and NYC Parks to bring Social Service Providers into WSP a full seven days a week as well as the efforts put forth by NYC Parks workers to deep-clean and restore the corner while it has been closed.

We’ve been working hard to support these city-run improvement efforts with significantly increased programming in the NW corner. What started as a once-a-week arts & crafts class has blossomed into three separate programs, each with their unique activity. On Wednesdays, fan favorite Art in the Park is back with a different exciting craft project each week. Thursday afternoons it’s time for Library of Fun, when kids can come interact with a wide variety of toys, books and games. Finally, on Friday afternoons children can work out their wiggles at Movement & Music with fun dances and movement games. 

When NYC Parks closed the corner as programming resumed in the spring of 2021, additional programs with Miss Debbie provided structure for the NW corner. However, they were no longer making an impact on the illicit behavior, which migrated towards Holley Plaza as displaced denizens sought new hangout spots. That was the inspiration behind two new programs you can find there. On alternating Wednesday afternoons you can experience  Violet Diabolo — NYUs Diabolo yo-yo club. And on Thursdays enjoy a guided drawing class led by local artist Sonja Haroldson. 

When scheduled programs like ours are going on, the NW corner is open to the public for your enjoyment. So the next time you hear the tinkling sound of children’s laughter coming from the NW corner, swing through and enjoy an incredibly beautiful space. And don’t forget to check out the website for a schedule of all the great free events available throughout Washington Square Park.