Rebecca Ferguson Explores Washington Square Park Administration and Construction Dynamics

Today Rebecca Ferguson visited our class to explore the complex and sensitive relationship between the New York City governmental administrative boards and The Parks and Recreation Department. Ferguson explained that the community’s strong feelings against major construction and renovation of Washington Square Park stem from misunderstandings related to the parks renovation plans and blue prints. Moreover, I was very interested to hear about the reasons why the construction is so actively supported by the New York City public board. It is becoming apparent that Washington Square Park is increasingly looked upon as a commodity whose purpose is primarily to cater to the middle and upper class members of New York rather than supporting cross cultural socio-economic diversity. Washington Square Park’s history is steeped in novel modes of creative expression and the Park itself has fostered the artistic processes of some of the most creative, out of the box thinkers in New York. It is the fear that this zone of organic, creative association and expression is being threatened, encroached upon or even paved over, that has caused concern and raised the voices of dissent. In view of this controversy, I thought that it was particularly interesting to review and analyze our course reading: “The Reconstruction of the Washington Square Arch and Adjacent Site Work Washington Square Park, Borough of Manhattan” which highlighted insights that speak about the historical fieldwork in Washington Square Park. Of particular interest was the mention and detailing of a Potter’s Field that was once located on the site. The report explained that the construction of the arch in 1890 uncovered evidence of human burials that were found about 10 feet below the ground surface. The burials were undoubtedly from a Potter’s Field once located on the site which was associated with a stratum of blue clay documented in pre-construction soil borings. Washington Square Park’s unique history dating back to the early 18th century is important to be aware of when analyzing the positive and negative affects of the construction. Finally, the impact on the historical material culture and on the modern social dynamics in and around Washington Square Park should be a critical component of any construction decisions being made.