Washington Square Park, Urban park in Greenwich Village, US
Washington Square Park is an almost four-hectare urban park in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. A white marble archway stands at its northern entrance, while a circular fountain sits at the center, surrounded by benches and walkways that wind through lawns and clusters of mature trees.
The site served as a burial ground for the poor and yellow fever victims starting in 1797. The city converted it into a public square in 1826, and it officially became a park in 1871.
Street performers gather around the fountain daily, playing instruments and juggling for passersby who stop to watch on the steps. Chess players meet at permanent outdoor tables under the trees, while dogs roam in the dedicated run near the western side.
The park stays open around the clock and is accessible from several subway stations within a few minutes' walk. It sits surrounded by New York University buildings, so weekdays tend to be busy with students moving between classes.
The remains of more than 20,000 people still lie beneath the lawns, never having been exhumed. The archway contains a hidden spiral staircase that once led to a small viewing platform on top.
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