Thursday's parting shot

An extension in the works for Hell Ride on the multipurpose courts/TF in Tompkins Square Park...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Taking on Hell Ride

Taking on Hell Ride

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Like so many things in Tompkins Square Park, it simply appeared. 

Sometime in late spring, someone hauled in a homemade quarter pipe, painted it "Hell Ride," and left it for anyone willing to take it on. 

Since then, the ramp has become a gathering spot — and a test of skill — for skaters using the multipurpose courts. 

I recently spent some time with the skaters tackling Hell Ride...

For more skateboarding action... on Saturday, Jenkem Magazine is hosting a block party here during the afternoon...

 

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A reminder for red-tailed hawk season in Tompkins Square Park

Top two photos by Daniel Root 

The three red-tailed hawk fledglings continue to be active in Tompkins Square Park... even during the HEAT DOME, as Goggla noted ...

Meanwhile, someone has posted a homemade sign near where the hawks have been at play... reminding visitors that the fledglings are exploring the park — and asking dog owners to keep their pets leashed. (Photo by Stacie Joy.)

The laminated notice cites a "New York State law" requiring dogs to be on leashes. 

While there isn't a statewide leash law, dogs are required to be leashed in New York City parks unless they're in a dog run or a designated off-leash area. In parks with off-leash hours, dogs are permitted off leash only from park opening until 9 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until closing, per NYC 311. 

The sign doesn't appear to be an official Parks Department notice — there's no agency logo or branding — but its message echoes reminders from wildlife advocates and hawk watchers during fledgling season. 

As the young hawks continue learning to fly and spend more time on or near the ground, keeping dogs leashed can help prevent potentially dangerous encounters for both wildlife and pets.

Monday's parting shots

A large limb broke off the American elm near the Tompkins Square Park entrance at Avenue B and Ninth Street today, temporarily closing one of the tennis-handball courts.

Later in the day, EVG reader Heather Dubin reported that a Parks Forestry crew was removing the fallen limb and reopened the court. 

This marks the second sizable branch to fall from the tree this year. Another came down during high winds in late May. Parks Forestry inspected the elm after that incident, per public records.

Sunday's parting shot

Photos by Derek Berg 

Tompkins today. 

Had this been yesterday, we could have made a classic rock dad joke: Caturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July... 

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Cecil Scheib 

A post-storm look to the west with Tompkins Square Park in the foreground...

Saturday's parting shot

Robert Miner notes that today's lunch special in Tompkins was a complimentary beverage with every rat ...

Tompkins Square mini pool set to open Saturday (tomorrow!)

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Park mini pool (yes, Tompkins has a mini pool) will welcome its first swimmers of the season tomorrow, aka, Saturday, June 27. (All outdoor city pools open tomorrow.)  

We stopped by this week as Parks staff made the final preparations ahead of opening day. Workers were skimming and cleaning the pool, installing new signage and checking equipment. We also witnessed pH and chlorine testing, with everything appearing on track for an on-time opening.

At around 86 degrees and sunny, the pool looked especially inviting. 

Unfortunately, the mini pool is reserved for children and their accompanying adults, so we had to resist the urge to take a quick dip.

Outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a cleaning break from 3 to 4 p.m. 

This may also be the last summer for the mini pool in its current form. 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 program, Tompkins Square Park was awarded $6.1 million for a new in-ground pool that is expected to double the capacity of the current above-ground setup. 

So enjoy the trailer-style pool era while it lasts.

Tree down in Tompkins

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

A tree came down earlier today near the Ninth Street and Avenue B entrance to Tompkins Square Park.

According to a Parks Department employee on the scene, the working assumption is that the tree fell due to today's high winds. 

There were no reports of injuries.

The city's Tree Services are on the scene...
 

Updated: A look at the damage to the park bench...

Saturday's opening shot

The latest ramp at the TF in Tompkins Square Park... and if you're going to be outdoors today, expect windy, cooler conditions with a mix of sun and clouds, per the weather charts we studied and then cut-and-paste from... 

Outdoor activities today include the 13th annual Spring Awakening via LUNGS ... the rain-delayed celebration of neighborhood community gardens and Earth Day. 

You could also grab your board and give Hell Ride a whirl.

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Getting carried away today in Tompkins Square Park...

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...