Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library just off of Fifth Avenue. I sat in one spot and just photographed. This is my visit to the restored Bryant Park and its surrounding areas.
The 9.6 acre park is a privately managed public park situated between Fifth and Sixth (Avenue of the Americas) and between 40th and 42nd Street. In other words, between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal – in the heart of mid-town Manhattan.
A statue of the poet and journalist, William Cullen Bryant sits at the center of the back overlooking the park which has his name.
Back when I lived in New York (and we are talking in the eighties here), I remember being terrified to walk near this park, it was a location of “ill repute” to put it mildly. But now, having come back, I am amazed at the transformation.
After a bit of sleuthing on my part I was surprised to learn that stacks were built in 1988, underneath the great lawn. That was the starting point for a major overhaul.
During the period of “ill repute” the park was not safe and felt cut off from the rest of the city. The renovations lowered the park by a few feet and opened it up to the outside with new entrances which made the area safe for all visitors.
There is also a carousel in keeping with the French styling of the park.
Looking up at the tall buildings upon buildings surrounding the area.
On the Sixth Avenue side we see lots of modern skyscrapers such as this tall glass building and the one to its right which is the Bank of America Financial Center.
The Fountain Terrace has plentiful seating that is movable, adding to the feeling of the public being in control. There is also a reading room where visitors can borrow books to read in their spare time and where events are hosted.
Summertime, the lawn hosts a weekly movie night event, and Broadway concerts.
The Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain is made of Stony Creek granite and bronze. It is the first major monument in the city, to honor a female who was a social worker. It was installed in 1912 and relocated to its present site in 1936.
It is also known as the W.R. Grace Building and is famous for its curved vertical facade on both sides. Yes, it looks as if it is going to topple over.
On the southwest corner of the park we can see the Bank of China which recently built this skyscraper.
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I love it when I get your comments and I will try to reply to every one of them.
Always enjoy your photographic trips to New York, Mary. Thank you for taking us to Bryant Park 🙂
Thank you Marie. I get such a kick out of doing these posts and always learn a lot about this great city.
Mary,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment on my post about blogging!! The response to this post has been overwhelming with many different opinions voiced. I do plan on doing a follow up post highlighting what was reflected in the comments!!
Thanks so much for sharing Bryant Park with us. Since traveling is physically impossible for me to do, I do so enjoy “Traveling” through the eyes of others! May I ask what type of camera you have as your photos are wonderful!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie I am too lazy to carry a heavy duty camera into the city so I use a cheapo Canon Powershot ELPH 330 HS.
I always enjoy your trips around NYC. This one is especially enjoyable.
Thank you Debra. Some of these places are special because I’ve been there before and now they look so different and always improved.
Your city shadows are intriguing!
Thank you thank you!! I always try to take shots that have something different in them.
It sounds and looks like a beautiful park now. What wonderful improvements!
Beautifully captured!
Beautiful buildings and shots
I’ve been to NYC so many times but never really appreciated the scenery and architecture! Thanks so much for sharing on “Sweet Inspiration”!
What a lot of city surrounding such a small park. Wow! I enjoyed the different architectural types you captured. Thanks so much for linking up to My Corner of the World!
I love New York! Can’t wait to visit this spring, and take photos. Thanks for sharing Bryant Park and enlightening us on Sunday’s Best.
New York is one of the cities in the US that I really would love to visit. Looks like a beautiful city with so much to see and do.
I love New York City, it’s such a civilised place! Lovely photos of this special part of it…
Thanks for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.
I thoroughly enjoy your photo essays Mary. Not only are the pictures gorgeous, but I learn so much about places I would probably never get to see in real life. How amazing that they were able to transform a crummy, scary spot into something so lovely. It just goes to show
You and me Michelle. There is so much that I learn when I research these places that I did not know while visiting. I never plan out the visits, they are usually spur of the moment.
Wonderful park that green green grass is so inviting. Have a great weekend, Kippi
Kippi there is so much to see and do at the park. It is truly the center of attention.
What a gorgeous view and park, Mary!!! Thank you for taking us on a tour! My mother and aunt loved visiting restrooms and years ago we were in San Francisco (when I was first starting college and lived in Northern California). Auntie Ellie and I went into one really nice hotel to visit the lavatory and it was the first time I had ever seen such opulence in a restroom! The marble and fixtures were perfection!! Probably another of those ah-hah moments in my love of interior design. 😉 Maybe yours, too… <3
When I get to NY sometime, we will have to go there...
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Absolutely Barbara. We can also go to the library which is full of architectural marvels. That bathroom was quite an eye opener and that is why I just had to mention it.
It has been so long since I’ve been in NYC! Lovely to see these photos. That library is magnificent!
It is a masterpiece Jeanie. But so is the outside now that it has been restored.
Hello, what a wonderful tour of NYC. I would love to visit the library. The buildings are amazing, just a busy city. I enjoyed the post and photos. Happy Thursday, have a happy day!
It i s indeed a very busy city Eileen. And one that keeps you on the look out for surprises.
Beautiful green space in the middle of the city and nice that it can be used year round!
Yes, a while back it was a forbidden zone where you risked getting robbed if you walked by. It is such a pleasure now.
I’ve visited New York several times but never toured this area. Fascinating building for the library and I love the park too. I’m so happy it was renovated and is now used.
I am especially happy because I remember the horror that was before.
Great post!! I am now following you – you can follow back if you wish at Annster’s Domain
Thank so much Ann, I went over to your blog and did the same.
A beautiful area, right in a busy city. You have photographed it well. Thanks for linking up today and I hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks so much Michelle, it is so busy around there that my eye naturally gravitates up to more calmer things.
I’m not sure exactly how to find your current post, but there are some very fine shadows in this collection. Thanks!