Peretz Square

Peretz Square is a small park at the intersection of Houston Street and First Avenue in the Lower East Side, featuring benches, pathways, and planted areas nestled among surrounding buildings. The green space offers a retreat within the dense urban block structure.

The square was established in 1952, marking where the Lower East Side's smaller street grid meets the broader Manhattan grid planned in 1811. This location reflects how the neighborhood developed differently from the rest of the city.

The square honors Isaac Leib Peretz, a Polish Yiddish writer whose work resonated deeply with the Jewish community that once thrived in this neighborhood. The naming reflects the strong cultural identity that defined the Lower East Side for many decades.

The park is accessible from multiple streets and offers seating areas for a quick break while walking through the neighborhood. Its compact size makes it easy to locate and explore in just a few minutes.

The park is named after a writer whose works shaped modern Jewish literature but are little known today outside academic circles. This quiet tribute honors a figure whose cultural impact far exceeds his current visibility.