Another look at the newly reconstructed Tompkins Square Park multipurpose courts

Back on Friday, the city officially reopened the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square (hitting their Dec. 1 deadline in the process). 

Here is a look around at the upgraded amenties... including the new surface, benches (1939 World's Fair style, or not)...

... a few expanded tree pits...

... three new basketball backboards...

...with the double rims (bad for our 3-point shooting, but good for our thunderous, backboard-shaking dunks)...

... and the high-low fountain that isn't dispensing water just yet...

So far, no sign of any painted lines for kickball or markings for a walking-running track that the Parks Department touted in a previous presentation...

We reached out to the Parks Department to see what the status is of these markings. 

And the new asphalt seems to be OK for skateboarding too. (Skaters are worried the new asphalt would be either too soft or too hard for skating, turning this decades-long hotspot into a useless spot.) 

On Saturday, a reader shared this photo... with skaters seeming pleased ... 

And from an early test run last week...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tompkins Flatground (@tf_report)

Breaking: The multipurpose courts at Tompkins Square Park are OPEN

After 1.5 months, the reconstruction of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park appears to be complete. 

Rather impressive, too, as the posted signage stated the work would occur between Oct. 16 and Dec. 1. (And today is Dec. 1, FYI.)

A reader shared this (and the photo!) from this corner of the Park along 10th and A: 

We saw the NW TSP court being unlocked this afternoon! 

Current park-goers: 

1 little kid soccer player 

1 kid skateboarder 

3 bench goers 

0 walking tracks

Aside from new asphalt (which is apparently skateboard friendly, per our TF sources), new amenities include a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, three new basketball backstops, and the 1939 World's Fair-style benches that people yelled at us because they aren't actually 1939 World's Fair-style benches. (Well, we were at the World's Fair in 1939, and the benches here are as we remember there.)

More on this later, obviously.

Bench mark: A throwback to 1939 arrives on the Tompkins Square Park multipurpose courts

Photos by Steven 

One of the new amenities has arrived at the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park — your 1939 World's Fair-style benches...

Work started on this space along Avenue A and 10th Street on Oct. 16, first with ripping up the asphalt that hasn't been repaired since the mid-1990s. (And then the arrival of new asphalt.)

Still to come: the outline for a kickball court, a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, and three new basketball backstops at the eastern end.

Posted signs say that the $1.4 million project will be completed by Dec. 1.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park

From Tompkins Square Park: Christo in Don't You (Forget About Me)

Photos by Steven 

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, is getting all the attention this week after decamping to the East Village and Lower East Side from Central Park. (And yes, we have a Flaco post coming soon.) 

This may be why Christo, the resident red-tailed hawk of Tompkins Square Park, has been extra photogenic of late ... as seen yesterday near 7th and A ...

And 2023 marks Christo's 10-year East Village anniversary.

Headline H/T

Lights, camera... conspiracies!

Top photo by Derek Berg/bottom two images by Steven 

H/T Stacie Joy 

Conspiracy theories abounded earlier today when a technician was spotted installing this apparatus in the central plaza of Tompkins Square Park... widespread speculation included that this was some type of surveillance equipment... or an açaí bowl machine...

After a bit of sleuthing and talking with sources from the Parks Department... we learned that it's a photoelectric light control and sensor to ensure the lights in Tompkins come on when it gets dark (since, in recent months, the lights have remained off overnight — like this time and this time).

The equipment, manufactured by Sunrise Technologies, as you know, an affiliate of Electro Switch Corp., is hooked up to the newish lightbox by the midblock entrance on Seventh Street.

A look at the fresh asphalt on the under-renovation multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

Yesterday, workers put down new asphalt on the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park.

Work started on this space along Avenue A and 10th Street on Oct. 16, first with ripping up the asphalt that hasn't been repaired since the mid-1990s.

According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

Additions include new benches (the 1939 World's Fair models!), a kickball court, a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, and three new basketball backstops at the eastern end. Moving forward, the space will no longer host permitted sports, including hockey in the fall or softball in the spring-summer.

A painted walking track is also included in the plans. Here's a look at a rendering of the reconstructed space...

Posted signs say the work will be complete by Dec. 1... though the Parks website still lists June 2024.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park

A bench for Dennis Edge in Tompkins Square Park

Photo by Goggla 

Updated: Since receiving this, the campaign has already met its financial goal. We'll leave the information here for anyone interested in purchasing one of his books

Dennis Edge, an East Village resident since 1970, passed away on Sept. 1. He was 85. 

For years, he documented the birds of Tompkins Square Park, where he was a regular and welcome presence. And now friends are raising money to have a bench dedicated in his memory. 

Here's more via the campaign: 

His passing left a hole in the hearts of our community and an empty bench in Tompkins Square Park. You could see him sitting on a bench photographing the Red-tailed Hawk pair or migratory species. He was always happy to share his knowledge about birds in a joyful and non-judgmental way. He helped inspire others to become birders and to care for nature. 

Please help us raise the funds for a bench for Dennis. This will memorialize his contribution to the community of the Lower East Side and Tompkins Square Park. This will be a place friends, loved ones, and birders can meet for remembrance, reflection, and birding, for generations to come. 

Also, Dennis had self-published a book, "Tompkins Square Park Birds and Other New York City Bird Stories." Below is the information on how to order a copy...

Sunday's opening shot

Photo by Robin McMillan 

As seen in Tompkins Square Park this Halloween weekend...

1 week in on the reconstruction of the Tompkins Square Park multipurpose courts

The pavement reconstruction of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park (along 10th and A) got underway last Monday....

Here's a look at the work to date...

According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

The new walking/running track has garnered the most reaction from readers. This track will be painted on the new asphalt, not a rubberized coating.

Additions also include new benches (the 1939 World's Fair models!), a kickball court, a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, and three new basketball backstops at the eastern end. And moving forward, the space will no longer host permitted sports, including hockey in the fall or softball in the spring-summer.

According to Quartersnacks, the assortment of ramps, rails and boxes that the skaters used were placed in storage (at least the ones still in decent shape).

And some thoughts on the new era of the TF via Quartersnacks...

Tricks that were learned over those cracks in the asphalt took some people around the world. Lifelong friendships were forged on those benches. Over time, new cracks will form in the ground, and new friendships will form on the benches between people who never sat on the old ones. Regardless of how mystical you want to get about the place, it was a profound part in the life of anybody who spent time there. It's not disappearing, but it's changing.

Posted signs say the work will be complete by Dec. 1... though the Parks website still lists June 2024.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park

Saturday's opening shots

Workers were out early in Tompkins Square Park this morning erecting the stage for the Halloween Dog Parade. (Details here.) It is a rain or shine event, so it's on. 

Also, half (or so) of the Park lights remain off...

Also, for anyone working on a screenplay. Remember: The opening scene of a film script introduces the audience to the story's characters, setting and inciting incident... it was a dark and stormy morning...

Lastly, in case you didn't see the No Parking notices along Avenue B or on Seventh Street between A and B, the city likely towed your vehicle...

Last nights (for now) for Robert Leslie in Tompkins Square Park

Photo from Sunday in Tompkins with Robert Leslie in the background 

by Derek Berg 

EVG reader cs on b shares this info... Robert Leslie, a local busker who's been playing around these parts for the last 10 years before moving to Seattle this past summer, is back in town for the week... and is playing tonight and tomorrow night in Tompkins Square Park, his favorite spot to play, for the last time for the foreseeable future. 

He's usually by the Temperance Fountain. You can catch him before the sun goes down, 5:30 tonight and around 5 tomorrow until around 7-7:30. He'll be back in town every now and again, but now's a good time to see him!

 

An overhead view of Tompkins Square Park when the lights are off

Multiple residents have pointed out that the lights in Tompkins Square Park have been off for several nights.

An EVG reader shared these photos Monday night from the Christodora House on Avenue B, which overlooks Tompkins.... providing an aerial view of the darkness ...

This happened in the summer, too... with the lights staying off for multiple nights. According to Parks employees at the time, the timer on the lights was set incorrectly. They were supposed to come on at 7 p.m.; instead, they switched on at 7 a.m. and off at 7 p.m.

No word on what the problem is this time. Several residents said they contacted 311.

Per one reader: "So ridiculously unsafe."

Last night, a reader reported that the lights were working along the east side of the Park... but remained off around the main lawn and in the areas under construction...

The milling of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park is underway

Photos by Steven 

Workers arrived this morning around 8 and began milling the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park...

As we've been reporting for the past 13 months, the Parks Department will reconstruct these multipurpose courts along 10th Street and Avenue A, adding various amenities, including a two-lane seal-coated walking loop and new asphalt.

According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

Posted signage states the work will occur between Oct. 16 and Dec. 1.

This spot (aka TF) is considered hallowed ground for skaters, where generations have used this space since the 1980s. (It has been called "the last great meet-up spot for skateboarders and their friends in New York.") 

Skaters are worried the new asphalt will be either too soft or hard for skating, turning this into a useless spot.

This is the second significant reconstruction currently underway in Tompkins Square Park. Work on renovating the field house began in May... with a September 2024 completion date.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

A moment in Tompkins Square Park today... 

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Robin McMillan 

A little improv after the Parks Department removed all the ramps, boxes and rails from the TF in Tompkins Square Park. 

The multipurpose courts close for renovations for three months on Monday.

Skate ramps depart the multipurpose courts in Tompkins ahead of renovations

The dozen ramps, rails and bozes that the skating faithful use on the TF in Tompkins Square Park have been removed before the renovations here starting on Monday.

It's not immediately known who took the skate props — city workers... or perhaps some skaters stashed them for safekeeping or use elsewhere. (Both scenarios seem rather ambitious!)

As previously reported, the Parks Department will reconstruct the multipurpose courts along 10th Street and Avenue A, adding various amenities, including a two-lane seal-coated walking loop and new asphalt.

According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

Posted signage states the work will occur between Oct. 16 and Dec. 1.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park 

Sunday's opening shot

A fall-like morning out with temps in the low 50s ... a view from Tompkins Square Park...

The reconstruction of the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park begins on Oct. 16

Photo by Stacie Joy

Signage went up yesterday about the long-anticipated renovations coming to the multipurpose courts in Tompkins Square Park. 

Per the posted signs, the work will begin starting on Oct. 16 and last until Dec. 1.

As we first reported, the Parks Department will reconstruct the multipurpose courts, adding various amenities, including a two-lane seal-coated walking loop and new asphalt.

According to a landscape architect with the Parks Department (from a presentation in February), there's a lot of "asphalt structural damage," and it "needs to be replaced and repaired. And the only way to do that is to take all the asphalt down to the sub base and put new asphalt down." 

Other additions: new benches, a kickball court, a high-low fountain that kids and adults can use simultaneously, and three new basketball backstops at the eastern end.

Skaters are worried the new asphalt will be either too soft or hard for skating, turning this decades-long hotspot into a useless spot.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Big changes are coming to the iconic skate spot in Tompkins Square Park 

Saturday's opening shot

The balloons are coming in nicely this fall in Tompkins Square Park...

The saga continues...

Photo today in Tompkins Square Park by Steven ... (see this post for the background).