Zoocap

Daniel D. Tompkins was the New York Governor for ten years, 1807-1817.  He was then the United States Vice President from 1817 through 1825.  The President he served with was James Monroe.  Tompkins Square Park in the East Village of Manhattan is in honor of him.  Tompkins purchased that bit of land in the mid 1800′s, and during this time is was put into development for the creation of a town square.  The original plans for the site involved the construction of a large market place that would take up the space beginning with 1st Avenue and stretch all the way to the East River.

But this project fell threw.  The land was originally a swamp and when the state acquired it, the swamp was cleared away and landscaping was was planted.  This process took fifteen years.  However, all but three of the trees were removed in 1866.  Two of those trees are now believed to be the oldest in the city.  The park is steeped in history, and what was once a swampland is home to many sculptures and monuments, and the streets surrounding it are lined with hip apartment buildings and restaurants. Of New York the history of the art scene of the late 1950′s and 1960′s, many of the pubs and bars of the Beat Poets, the song writers and the artists still stand and remain a huge draw for those still involved in the art world today.

The band-shell was removed during the renovation of the park in the early 1990′s, but performers still set up on the corners and along the sidewalks.  The movement of dissent and demonstrations that the park is so known for began in the mid-1800′s demonstrations were stage to due lack of jobs.  In the 1980′s people demonstrated against gentrification, even though the park had become over-run by the homeless and a breeding ground for illegal drug activity.  Now, there is a fancy dog park, new playground equipment has been constructed, the grass and the sidewalks are repaired, and many of the statues were conserved.  This is still a place that is diverse and creative, and offers a bit of a meditative pause, in a city where those quiet moments are oh so necessary.

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1. Central Park, the First Park of the USA
2. Greenmarkets of New York City
3. A Day at Ocean Park in Hong Kong
4. New York Landmarks
5. Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Other Landmarks in New York