Parks Department seeks input on Tompkins recreation-area upgrades

The conversation continues about the design process for a reconstruction project involving the Tompkins Square Park mini-pool, basketball courts and fitness area.

On Saturday morning, Parks officials and local City Councilmember Harvey Epstein are hosting an in-person meeting to discuss the project. (The city took recommendations in January and February.)

The meeting is set for 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attendees can gather on the Ninth Street walkway near the basketball courts over closer to Avenue B.

Here's an aerial view of the area that will eventually be under construction along 10th Street and Avenue B...

A new petition is circulating asking that Parks remove the fitness area from the scope of work to ensure "the space remains accessible during the pool reconstruction, and direct the money where it will do good instead of doing harm."

The fitness area serves a large community of users, including people of every gender, age, income, race and fitness level, who meet year-round, all-weather, day and night. The equipment is well-known among calisthenics practitioners, and many travel to train there. 

As for the pool... in August 2024, Gov. Hochul announced nearly $150 million in capital grants through the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative.

As part of that, Tompkins Square Park was awarded $6.1 million for a new in-ground pool, which will double the capacity of the current above-ground trailer park model... as seen last week, waiting for the leaf blower ...

Other areas of the park have undergone renovations... last April, the field house and restrooms reopened after more than 18 months of rehab work. In 2023, reconstruction of the multipurpose courts took place.

Parting shot for Mother's Day

Photo by Stacie Joy 

"Thank you, Mom," in chalk in Tompkins today...

Reader mail: What is that smell in Tompkins Square Park?

An EVG email exchange this morning... 

What is that horrible smell in TSP? 

Smelled on April 29 throughout the park! 

not sure TBH... I walked around the Park yesterday, but not through it. 

how would you describe the smell? 

The smell reminds me of a decomposing animal...the smell of death. It was in the Ave B as well as the A side.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Making friends in Tompkins today...

Shut out of Washington Square Park, 4/20 celebration descends on Tompkins

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Vendors arriving this morning for the annual 4/20 gathering at Washington Square Park were met with barricades and bag checks, according to East Village-based artist Delphine LeGoff (below in Tompkins today), who was there to sell her work.

"The perimeter of the park was barricaded by the NYPD completely, so only the area by the arch was accessible," she said. "They were checking bags, and no equipment or merchandise was allowed in — not even for artists." 

She added that officers were polite and told people, "Don't go to Union Square — just go to Tompkins."

By late morning, activity had shifted to Tompkins Square Park, the site of the first unofficial smoke-in in NYC history in June 1967. 

Around 11 a.m., EVG began receiving reports of vendors setting up marijuana tents, food stands, and art tables, along with a growing crowd and a party-like atmosphere.

Police soon made their way through the park, telling vendors that no tables, vending or smoking (of any kind) would be allowed. 

The message, at least initially, was framed as a warning.

A few hours later, a larger police presence arrived, effectively shutting things down.

An NYPD official said the goal was voluntary compliance, noting that any enforcement would likely result in civil summonses rather than criminal charges. 

Another source described the situation as "pretty chill," with no arrests or summonses as of 4:30 p.m.

Some vendors said they would pivot to giving items away to avoid violating vending rules. Others voiced frustration, saying they would prefer a legal pathway to operate. "We want a license," said one participant from Long Island. "This could be tax revenue for New York." 

Licensed cannabis operators were also on hand, some expressing concern that unregulated activity undermines their businesses while they remain bound by strict rules. 

By 4:20 p.m., the traditional moment was still marked — with plenty of smoke drifting across the park.

All told, it remained a relatively low-key scene. While police ultimately moved to shut down the event, the NYPD did so without force, and there were no reports of injuries or arrests. Officers were largely polite and low-key, and participants, for their part, kept things respectful.

For a gathering that had the potential to go sideways, it never did.

Here are scenes from the morning and early afternoon in Tompkins...

Saturday's opening shot

Another fine spring morning view from Tompkins Square Park... where it actually feels like spring and not, say, late July. 

Get your Vitamin D production assist while you can... as the April showers arrive tomorrow, along with temps in the 50s.

Friday's parting shot

Thanks to EVG reader MJB for this photo today in Tompkins Square Park...

Friday's opening shot

The spectacular spring now of Tompkins... before the 50s (temps, not era) arrive next week...

Thursday's opening and parting shots

Morning view along Seventh Street at the entrance to Tompkins Square Park... and early this evening on Houston and First Avenue...

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

In the low 80s, it was the most summer-like day of the year, and you could tell in Tompkins Square Park...

Sunday's parting shot

By Stacie Joy 

Today in trying to go viral: eating a 10-pound Costco chocolate Easter bunny in Tompkins Square Park... 

Since Easter was last week, maybe they got a deal on the chocolate Easter bunny?

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Worst-ever "Marty Supreme" reenactment... as seen late this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park...

Progress report

Early-ish Friday spring scenes around Tompkins Square Park... (aka, glorified Friday's Opening Shots)...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Dreaming about when the Flatiron Building and the Empire State Building have your One World Trade Center in checkmate... Tompkins today...

Wednesday's parting shot

April 1 view of Seventh Street and Avenue A heading into Tompkins...

A new edge in Tompkins Square Park

Photos Saturday by Stacie Joy 

Skateboarders in Tompkins Square Park got a pleasant surprise Saturday morning. 

Early that day, a crew delivered a 15-inch-high granite ledge to the multipurpose courts/TF. (The ledge sits outside the main field and walking lanes, so it won’t need to be moved for field hockey leagues.) 

As Quartersnacks first noted, this arrival was a collaboration among the Parks Department, Nike SB, The Skatepark Project and California Skateparks.

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Given that this thing weighs a few thousand pounds, it will likely stick around the TF for awhile. (Quartersnacks deemed a sliver of triangular granite, nicknamed The Tombstone, as the most popular TF obstacle of the 2010s.) 

On Saturday morning, we spotted skaters lining up to test out the ledge … and start wearing down the edges.

As of yesterday, the Ledge remained the main draw here... and it was already showing a little wear...

Sunday's parting shot

Slowly spring in Tompkins Square Park...

A Tompkins Square Park sendoff for the No Kings march

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Local residents assembled in Tompkins Square Park early this afternoon, setting off for Columbus Circle and the No Kings march, part of coordinated protests across the U.S. and overseas.

Attendees included local City Council Member Harvey Epstein and Council Speaker Julie Menin...

... Assemblymember Grace Lee...

...former District 2 City Council member Margarita López...

... and Matthew Marrero, whose husband Allen Dabrio Marrero is still being held in ICE detention despite an order for his release... seen here with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft of Middle Church...