The following is an update from Will Morrison, in his capacity as Washington Square Park Administrator for NYC Parks. In his dual role position, Will also holds the title of Executive Director of the Washington Square Park Conservancy.

Some of you may have noticed an increased police presence in the park over the last few months. You may not have noticed the accompanying increase in (un-uniformed) social service workers who have been engaging the park’s at-risk population. These hardworking civil servants are part of a new Community Link Task Force, a community-driven program launched by the Adams administration that identifies neighborhoods facing chronic and complex quality-of-life issues and organizes the right combination of agency, community, and external stakeholders to collaboratively address them. Within Washington Square Park, the Task Force is particularly focused on improving conditions in the northwest corner of the park. 

The Community Link Task Force was established in May as a response to direct community outreach and concerns. The task force comprises representatives from City Hall, multiple divisions of the NYPD, NYC Parks, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Homeless Services, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office. Various members of the task force have been conducting daily and/or weekly site visits, walkthroughs, and service deliveries to reassess conditions and evaluate ongoing areas of concern and of improvement in the area. 

Regular multi-agency coordination meetings have led to a significant increase in the presence of uniformed personnel, including both NYPD and Parks Enforcement Officers, from early morning until the park closes. This increased presence has been instrumental in maintaining safety and security within the park. Additionally, coordinated daily cleaning efforts have focused on needle and debris removal, involving Parks Enforcement Patrol, NYPD, and Parks Maintenance & Operations teams. 

One of the most impactful aspects of the task force’s work has been the daily social service outreach conducted on site including the presence of trained nurses. Their presence  is a resource that has never been deployed in Washington Square Park, and I have been eagerly watching the deployment. Following the initial pilot program that began on May 29th, the decision was made to extend the task force’s operations. This extension is a testament to the positive impact we have seen so far and our commitment to continuing this important work. Thanks to the strong advocacy from the community, critical support from City Hall, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and her leadership team, and the dedicated efforts of the task force, we are making significant strides in addressing the issues in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park. Our ongoing collaboration and regular assessments will ensure that we continue to see improvements and maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all park visitors.

We hope everyone notices not only the tangible results but also the dedicated presence and resources that the City is committing to Washington Square Park. A recent report from City Hall provided some details on the progress that has been made. Over 1,480 clients have been engaged and 39 clients placed in shelter by DHS. Over 85 days were recorded when staff conducted hypo-needle removals. And a new NYPD light tower was installed to improve sight conditions at night. Together, we are making a difference, and we look forward to continuing this positive momentum in the months ahead. We ask that you continue to voice your support for these efforts, and to lend a hand by reporting any illicit or illegal activity you see to 311 or 911.