Blossom bonanza: Cherry trees paint TSP pink

The cherry blossoms are really popping these days in and around Tompkins Square Park...

... with at least one exception. An EVG reader notes the cherry tree on the north side of the Eighth Street entrance along Avenue B isn't looking so good...

Per the reader, "The cherry tree on the south side of the Eighth Street entrance is in bloom, and I remember years of walking through the entrance flanked by the two lovely cherry blossom trees. Now, the north side tree is bare. I tried to find a parks employee to ask, but I wasn’t able to find anyone."

D.A. Bragg announces indictment of suspect in 2 March shootings In Tompkins Square Park

Photos from March 21 by Stacie Joy 

Manhattan D.A. Bragg yesterday announced the indictment of a suspect for two shootings in Tompkins Square Park last month. 

According to the D.A.'s office, the accused, 38-year-old Waldemar Alverio, faces multiple charges, including three counts of An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Assault in the First Degree. 

On March 16 at 12:45 p.m., two men allegedly chased, punched and kicked Alverio. As they ran off, Alverio unzipped his bag and pulled out a gun, firing at them five times, per court documents. 

Alverio struck one of the two men in the buttocks, fracturing his pelvis and lodging a bullet in his hip. Alverio also shot a bystander, a 53-year-old tourist, fracturing her right hip, which had to be surgically replaced. Per the D.A.'s office, "she will require months of physical therapy as she learns how to walk again." 

Five days later, on March 21, Alverio allegedly returned to Tompkins Square Park just after noon, approached a group in the park, and shot at them five times. 

While Alverio did not strike anyone on that day, one bullet smashed through a window into a bedroom in an apartment building across Seventh Street, and another bullet smashed through a window and lodged in a stairwell in a second building on Seventh Street. 

"Our parks should be a place where New Yorkers and tourists can relax without fearing for their safety," Bragg said in a statement. "Combatting gun violence remains my top priority, and my Office will hold those who commit these serious acts of violence accountable. I hope the victims continue to heal from their wounds." 

On March 26, officers from the 7th Precinct, who recognized Alverio from a wanted flyer, arrested him on Delancey Street. 

The charges against Alverio:

• An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, three counts 

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts 

• An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count 

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts 

Yesterday, in the New York Supreme Criminal Court, Judge Laura A. Ward ordered Alverio, who pleaded not guilty, held without bail. According to public records, his next court date is June 24.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Jason Trucco 

Today was the last day for Street Life Ministries after 30-plus years of serving Tompkins Square Park.

David Van Fleet (above) says the family plans to relocate to another state where they will continue their work.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

Eclipse viewing from Tompkins Square Park this afternoon...

The porta-potties of Tompkins Square Park now have hours of operation

Photos by Steven 

Heads up: If you need to use the facilities in Tompkins Square Park today, you must do it by 3:30 p.m. 

Today, signs on the toilet triplex note a 3:30 p.m. closing time (with an apology)...

We do not know if this is just for today or every day moving forward. 

The portable pots arrived here on Monday, providing the first makeshift, non-open-air toilet opp since the city carted off the previous commodes. 

Over the past week, it's been a challenge to predict when the facilities might be accessible. For instance, a few days ago, the water closets were locked at 5 p.m. Yesterday, they remained closed all day due to the absence of the key holder, as confirmed by a Parks worker.

Noting

The porta-potty triplex that arrived in Tompkins Square Park yesterday is unlocked and ready for action. 

Despite not receiving hazard pay, EVG correspondent Steven opened one of the unoccupied portaloos and noted it was already a little messy and not a breath mint, comb or mint toothpick in sight. 

More background on the port-potty situation here.

What a relief: Portable toilets return to Tompkins Square Park

Updated April 2: The toilets have been unlocked!

Hopefully, this isn't an April Fool's Day joke! 

This morning, workers brought in a truck full of porta-potties for Tompkins Square Park. (Thanks to EVG reader Lauren G. for the photo!)

The busy 10.5-acre park had been without toilets since Jan. 9, when city workers carted off the three porta-potties from their temporary home near Ninth Street and Avenue A.

At the time, sources told us that the previous porta-potties were constantly trashed and not really the most fun things to use. So, the thinking was, Why replace them with more only to meet the same fate?

So, in the past three months, anyone who needed to answer nature's call did so in nature, including in, on and around the playgrounds, causing a stink among residents. (Photo below from this morning via our friends at the De Colores Community Yard.)

As previously reported, the restrooms in the Tompkins Square Park field house are closed due to an 18-month (or so) renovation that began last May. The porta potties arrived around the same time ... before an August 2023 relocation.

In February 2023, a Parks official explained that temporary toilets were not part of the contract "and cannot be supplied during construction." The alternative for public use during this period: The restrooms at the McKinley Playground on Fourth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue adjacent to P.S. 63/the Neighborhood School — roughly a seven-minute walk.

By March 2023, though, Community Board 3 noted that porta potties would be on-site after all. 

According to the Parks Department website, work at the field house is 34% complete, with an anticipated wrap-up date of September 2024.

Updated 5 p.m. 

There are three port-potties... located near the ping-pong table by the field house... the two line green models are actually called Key Lime Restroom...

Per the Callahead website: 

The KEY LIME RESTROOM is designed with bright key lime coloring specially for waterfront and seaside locations. The KEY LIME is another design by Charles W. Howard, CALLAHEAD's President & CEO, to add to the long list of specialty designed restrooms to look amazing and add value to any location. The Rockaways, City Island, Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Coney Island, Jones Beach, Brighton Beach, the Hamptons, Fire Island and Montauk are just a sample of where the KEY LIME RESTROOM is a popular rental.

And Steven notes the grand opening must be at a later date — all three latrines are padlocked...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A happy second birthday to Remedios (center in rainbow hat) celebrating today in Tompkins Square Park! 

P.S. 

To the Parks Department, local elected officials, et al. Please do something to bring back portable toilets to Tompkins. Gone since Jan. 8.

Saturday's opening shot

Sunrise from Tompkins Square Park ...

NYPD: Suspect arrested in connection with the 2 recent shootings in Tompkins Square Park

Photo from March 21 by Stacie Joy 

Reporting by Stacie Joy 

A 38-year-old man is in custody this afternoon in connection with shootings in Tompkins Square Park on March 16 and March 22, police sources say. 

According to the NYPD, the suspect, identified as Waldemar Alverio, was arrested on Delancey Street by officials at the 7th Precinct. 

The shootings were said to be the result of an ongoing beef between Alverio and another man, sources said.

Following a scuffle in the Park on March 16, Alverio allegedly fired several shots, striking two innocent bystanders. (Neither victim suffered life-threatening wounds.)

This past Thursday, police said Alverio returned to the Park where he fired 5-7 times without striking anyone. One bullet penetrated a window above Niagara on Seventh Street at Avenue A.

No word yet on the charges against Alverio. 

Since the shootings, the NYPD has added foot patrols to Tompkins Square Park.

By now, you should have seen your 9th precinct officers patrolling on foot in and around Tompkins square park. They will be addressing crimes and quality of life issues. Please, be rest assured that we will continue to do our very best to keep this legendary park safe!! pic.twitter.com/D3YXAnd5CB

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) March 25, 2024

Same gunman suspected in shooting today in Tompkins Square Park, police say

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated 3/26: Police made an arrest in the shooting.

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No injuries were reported after a gunman opened fire early this afternoon near the chess tables at the 7th and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park, police said

NYPD sources, who were not authorized to speak on the record, said there were five to seven shots fired, with a bullet penetrating a window above Niagara across the street.

Police said the suspect, described as a Black male wearing a ski mask and dark clothing, was the same shooter who fired shots that struck two innocent bystanders this past Saturday. "It's a beef," per a police source.

The suspect reportedly fled on a Citi Bike.   

"We're not going to stop until we get him," a police official told us. 

The official said that they were "confident in the direction this investigation is going. The detectives here are world-class and won't rest until the job's completed." 

"We already had increased patrol at the park, including when the shooting happened," the official said.

Spring calling

On the clock for spring... and some views of Tompkins Square Park courtesy of @davidterranova ...

And nevermind that it was 33 degrees this morning...

[Updating] 2 people shot in Tompkins Square Park

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Updated 3/19: Police sources, who did not have permission to speak on the record, told us that they have identified the alleged gunman and have photos and video of him circulating internally.

Updated 3/21: The same suspected gunman fired more shorts in Tompkins.

Updated 3/26: Police made an arrest in the shooting.

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A dispute in Tompkins Square Park turned violent this afternoon as a gunman fired 5-6 shots, striking two people, including an unintended target — a woman in town visiting her son who's running the NYC Half Marathon tomorrow, police said.

According to NYPD sources in the Park, a fight broke out outside the fence to the playground near Temperance Fountain. Two men were said to be hitting a third man. Police said the victim had a gun in a crossbody bag. He took 5-6 shots, striking two people. At least one, a 53-year-old woman visiting from Illinois, was an unintended victim, police said.

The woman was hit in the hip by a bullet and was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, where she is expected to survive. Her son was at the scene looking for his mom before the NYPD transported him to the hospital. 

A 31-year-old man was hit in the buttocks. His injury was also not considered life-threatening. It's not immediately known if he was one of the men involved in the initial dispute.

The NYPD has blocked off the entrance on Avenue A at Ninth Street ... and put up crime scene tape, keeping people from heading in that direction from Temperance Fountain. Police were continuing to search for the shell casings.

A detective at the scene said the nearby cameras in Tompkins were not operating, so there wasn't any surveillance video from the shooting. 

The gunman is still at large as of 2:30 p.m.

The shots rang out just before 1 p.m., scattering parkgoers enjoying a sunny day in Tompkins.

A significant police presence remains.

Updated 5:18 p.m. 

Initially, we were told only a partial bullet fragment was found in the park but farther away from the scene and more toward the center of Tompkins ... however, evidence collection teams appear to have found additional material ... they were spotted removing it around 4:30 p.m. ...

Crime Stoppers is also seeking information on today's shooting...

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential. 

Tompkins is now fully open, although some NCO officers may still be on patrol.

Meet Belvedere, the Russian tortoise

Photo by Steven

Urban Park Rangers were in Tompkins Square Park today for an educational program... a special guest included this Russian tortoise that someone had abandoned in Central Park. 

The Park Rangers named it Belvedere after the iconic mini castle in Central Park.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

A pleasant surprise late this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park... with a set by Pinc Louds. 

BTW, the band is at Knitting Factory at Bakers Falls on Avenue A this coming Saturday...

Saturday's opening shot

At the entrance to Tompkins Square Park at Seventh Street and Avenue A this morning ... there are two new trees the city recently planted here (replacing this one).

Parks Department collecting concerns and compliments

Photos by Steven

These signs arrived this past week at Tompkins Square Park (and other public green spaces)...  asking, "How are we doing?"

Specifically: "Report a concern or share a compliment about cleanliness in this area."

Per the sign, you can call (212) NEW-YORK ... text 311-692 or visit this website.

Can't think of any concerns residents may have about Tompkins... 

Playground reminders in Tompkins Square Park; city to update Community Board 3 on asylum seekers tonight

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated: You can watch a playback of the CB3 Board meeting on YouTube here. Zach Iscol starts at the 23-minute mark.

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Signs stating "No adults except in the company of a child" — written in multiple languages — were recently posted on the playgrounds along Avenue B and Seventh Street in Tompkins Square Park...

In recent months, some residents have expressed concerns about the migrants waiting for a new shelter assignment outside the former St. Brigid School on Seventh Street and Avenue B. They have been congregating on the SE corner of Tompkins Square Park, including inside the playgrounds. (This past fall, Mayor Adams began limiting adult migrants' stays in shelters to 30 days before they have to leave and reapply at this so-called East Village reticketing site.) 

The influx of men standing around has caused some residents to no longer visit the playgrounds with their children. It was also made clear that the men were often unaware that they couldn't be inside the playgrounds.

Making matters worse, the city removed the three portable toilets from Tompkins Square Park on Jan. 9, forcing anyone visiting the 10.5-acre property to figure out where to relieve themselves. (The restrooms in the field house are closed until the fall for renovations.) According to residents, the playgrounds have become popular public toilets, with some equipment serving as cover. 

While the signs look official, it's unknown who left them on the playground gates. 

The two playgrounds in this park area received a year-long, $2.7 million upgrade, unveiled in October 2019.

Meanwhile, as we reported last week, Zach Iscol, commissioner of the NYC Emergency Management, will appear before Community Board 3 tonight. Per the invite, he "will update the community on the agency's asylum-seeker operations and community engagement efforts within the confines of CB3." 

Iscol is expected to speak at 7 p.m. (The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.) Only CB3 board members can ask questions. (The deadline for residents to submit questions was this past Friday.)

The meeting will be in person at PS 20, 166 Essex St., just south of Houston, and streamed on YouTube here.  

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Observations on the growing humanitarian crisis with asylum seekers in the East Village 

• Addressing the asylum seeker crisis; city to update Community Board 3 next week

A moment with mighty Christo, 1 of the resident red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park

Photos today by Derek Berg 

😍 😍 😍 😍

And be sure to read Goggla's site for the latest on Christo and Amelia and other urban wildlife...

Saturday's parting shot

City kids know how to make a cool snowman with limited snowfall! ... photo today in Tompkins Square Park by Drew...