Union Square (New York City)
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Union Square (also known as Union Square Park) is an important and historic intersection in New York City, located where Broadway and the Bowery came together in the early 19th century. Today it is bounded by 14th Street, Union Square East, 17th Street, and Union Square West. Important thoroughfares which lead away from the park are Broadway, leading both north and south; Fourth Avenue, leading southeast to the Bowery; and Park Avenue South, leading north to Grand Central Terminal. Union Square is also the site of an important subway station: 14th Street-Union Square, a stop on the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, and W trains. Neighborhoods around the park are the Flatiron District to the north, Chelsea to the west, Greenwich Village and New York University to the south, and Gramercy to the east.
Union Square is noted for its impressive equestrian statue of George Washington, created by Henry Kirke Brown and unveiled in 1856. Other statues in the park include the Marquis de Lafayette, created by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and Abraham Lincoln, created by Henry Kirke Browne. A newer addition, added in 1986, is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the southwest corner of the park.
In April 1861, soon after the fall of Fort Sumter, Union Square was the site of a patriotic rally that is thought to have been the largest public gathering in North America up to that time.
The park is also the starting point for many political demonstrations, most notably the 2004 Republican National Convention protest activity. It is—and was in the past—a frequent gathering point for radicals of all stripes, whom one will often find speaking or demonstrating. For example, in homage to Cindy Sheehan's Camp Casey, a group of anti-war activists maintained a 24/7 "Camp Casey NYC" distributing anti-war literature, stickers, and the like, despite a few temporary "evictions" by the police. Another example is the monthly Critical Mass ride that meets here on the last Friday of every month.[link]
In the days and weeks following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Union Square became a primary public gathering point for mourners and activists. People created spontaneous candle and photograph memorials in Union Square, and the park was the setting for vigils held to honor the victims of the attacks and for efforts to assist workers and rescuers at the World Trade Center site. This was a natural role for the Square as Lower Manhattan below 14th Street, which forms Union Square's southern border, had been evacuated. The Square's tradition as a meeting place in times of upheaval was also a factor.
Farmers' Market
In 1976 the Council on the Environment of New York City established the Greenmarket program, which provided regional small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products at open-air markets in the city.The most famous is the Union Square Greenmarket, held Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 8 AM and 6 PM for six months each year. 250,000 customers a week purchase 1,000 varieties of fruits and vegetables at the market. The variety of produce available is broader by perhaps a factor of ten than what is found in a conventional supermarket.
Union Square is also known for the Union Square Holiday Market, which is held November 23 through December 24 between 11 AM and 7 PM.
Gallery
External links
- [A History of Union Square], on the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation website
- [Photograph of Union Square taken in September 2001, showing flowers and candles left in memory of 9/11 victims]
- [CENYC Greenmarket Farmer's Markets Official Site]
- [The Metronome: Information about the LED display that shows a running number in the south part of Union Square]
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