Tompkins Square Park

Located between 7th Street to the south, Avenue B to the east, 10th street to the north and Avenue A to the west. No more riots. This park has been cleaned up so much it is the symbol of the gentrification of the East Village. Seven years ago when I moved to the city, this park was a scary wasteland. Since the city has cleaned out the squatters, the park is nicer, but has lost a bit of the edge that made it quintessentially the East Village. A fun place to hang out and watch the scene walk by on Avenue A.

Commentary by Heather Babb, Monday, January 25, 1998.