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...

The porta potties are MIA in Tompkins Square Park

Photo by Steven 

Has anyone seen the porta potties in Tompkins Square Park? The toilet triplex near Ninth Street and Avenue A outside the ballfield/skate area is no longer in the spot. 

Park workers we asked didn't know anything about their whereabouts. Hmm!

The porta potties first arrived last May... before an August relocation.

As previously reported, the restrooms in the Tompkins Square Park field house are now closed as part of an 18-month renovation underway. 

About the VIP portable toilet in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven

Several readers have asked about the luxury portable trailer — VIP to Go! — that has been near the Seventh Street entrance between Avenue A and Avenue B this past week. 

Perhaps the city found some extra budget $$$ and is treating us to some upscale facilities while the field house is closed for renovation? 

Haha! No! 

The facilities remain here after the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival on Sunday. These were brought in for the use of the musicians backstage. 

But, they remain... and are unlocked... as an intrepid EVG correspondent discovered... 

By the way, this model is the two-station Rolls Royce restroom trailer. Per the description: "Impresses everyone who sees it with its clean, simple white exterior that opens to a beautiful, warm wood interior and all the luxuries of home." 

Anyway, enjoy it while you can.

Friday's parting porta potty shots

Team coverage of the porta potties arriving in Tompkins Square Park ahead of the Charlie Parker Jazz Fesitval (Sunday!) starts now... (top photo by Derek Berg; below via Steven) ...

Porta potties on the go in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

Also from this past week... a move that a surprising number of people mentioned: On Monday, workers relocated the porta potties in Tompkins Square Park after three-plus months.

The toilet triplex is now located near Ninth Street and Avenue A outside the ballfield/skate area. No word on why they were brought to this spot. 

As previously reported, the restrooms in the Tompkins Square Park field house are now closed as part of an 18-month renovation underway.

... and the former home of the porta-potties near the ping-pong table ...

Please leave your favorite memories of them at this location in the comments...

Thursday's parting shot

This may explain that hellish feeling you have inside the porta potties in Tompkins Square Park! 

Thanks Eden for the photo!

Noted

We're coming up on the 1-week anniversary of the porta potties arriving in Tompkins Square Park for patrons to use during the field house renovations. (What are you doing to celebrate?) 

EVG regular Jose Garcia shared this photo and some preliminary thoughts on Day 6 

"This entire area truly smells like shit. It's actually impressive how much it smells. No kidding." 

Just 17 months and 3 weeks to go under renovations are complete!

Wednesday's parting shot

Upscaling, 11th Street near Avenue A. Photo by Steven.

A little help here please?

Hey, c'mon guys. This isn't funny anymore. Can you please let me out. Guys? Anyone?

Second Street between the Bowery and Second Avenue... photo by Bobby Williams.

A precarious-looking porta-potty

A poop accident waiting to happen under the sidewalk shed on Second Avenue near Sixth Street. Photo by EV Grieve reader LULU.

Let's hope that no one is inside

Porta-potty down! 10th Street near Avenue A via Dave on 7th.

Dumpster of the day (month? year?)

The ultra, ultra rare porta-potty/dumpster combo. Nice if there's an overflow, but not real practical for everyday use. On Houston near Suffolk. Many thanks to the EV Grieve reader for the photo!