Bowling Green, Urban park and National Register site in Financial District, Manhattan, United States
Bowling Green is a public park in the Financial District of Manhattan, located at the intersection of Broadway and State Street. The oblong shape includes a central fountain surrounded by wooden benches, lawn sections, and trees, while an 18th-century cast iron fence marks the boundary.
Established in 1733 as New York's first public park, the land was officially set aside for recreation and community gatherings. Colonists destroyed a statue of King George III that once stood in the center during 1776, melting the metal for ammunition.
The name comes from a royal lawn bowling game played here during colonial times, when residents rolled balls across grass lanes. Office workers now use the space during lunch breaks to rest, while tourists gather near the bull sculpture.
A subway station with the same name sits directly beneath the park and connects several lines running through different neighborhoods. The area is accessible during daylight hours and is regularly crossed by commuters and visitors moving between office buildings and attractions.
The bronze bull north of the park was originally placed without permission and immediately attracted visitors who touch its horns and nose. This gesture has evolved into a fixed ritual associated with hopes for financial success.
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