Old Slip Park, a small piece of green space near the eastern tip of Manhattan, has long been a serene respite for Lower Manhattanites. Now, the park is better than ever, thanks to a Downtown Alliance-led beautification project.
In June, we began sprucing up the park, planting flowers and greenery in the tree beds, concrete planters and in four new hanging baskets on the light poles surrounding the park. To make the space even more inviting, we set out a dozen sets of Alliance-branded tables and chairs, so visitors can rest and recharge in style.
“Since we began our upgrades, the park has regularly seen over 100 visitors during lunchtime hours,” Lewis Anderson, the Alliance’s manager of streetscape and public space, said. “Our improvements have made it a pleasant and welcoming place to walk through, hang out, have lunch at an Alliance table or take a rest in some shade.”
Flower enthusiasts will also enjoy the new plantings, which include pink begonias, bright red and yellow cannas and other summer annuals chosen by our Horticulture team. “Since the concrete planters are exposed to full sun all day, the tropical cannas are a perfect choice — they thrive in direct sunlight and intense heat,” Anderson said.
Caring for Old Slip Park is a group effort. Our Public Safety team sets up and packs down the Alliance tables and chairs every morning and evening, and our Sanitation team sweeps and cleans the park daily. Our Sanitation team also monitors, empties and services the Bigbelly trash receptacles in the park two-to-three times a week. To keep the plants looking healthy and beautiful, our Horticulture team waters them at least twice weekly, and trims and deadheads past blooms weekly.
Our Public Safety officers regularly patrol the park and its surrounds to ensure it is kept clean, tidy and safe. If something needs to be cleaned or fixed, our officers report and take care of the issue promptly. We also partner with Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) to provide homeless support and outreach services in the park, as we do elsewhere in the district.
Next time you’re looking for an outdoor spot to post up at, head to Old Slip Park — you’ll thank us!
