Located in the heart of New York City’s civic center, Thomas Paine Park has provided a powerful identity for what might otherwise be empty green space. The layout, monuments and history that define it have made it an ideal location for residents and visitors to relax and explore all of these elements, connecting it to the city and to audiences in a profound manner.
Named for Political Visionary Thomas Paine
Before 1600, land that is now Thomas Paine Park was once defined by a freshwater swamp but eventually was filled in and became part of the Five Points, a notorious slum in the 19th century. The buildings in the area were condemned in the late 1800s, at which point the space became known as “Courthouse Plot” on account of its proximity to several State and Federal court buildings.
In 1977, the parcel of land was renamed for patriot, author, humanitarian, and political visionary Thomas Paine. Markers call out how the writings of Paine profoundly influenced the course of the American Revolution and the creation of the United States government.
A monument depicting Abraham De Peyster, former New York City mayor, which was originally cast in 1896, was installed in the park in 2013. Additionally, five large bronze medallions are embedded into the ground across Thomas Paine Park and into Foley Square. Each of them commemorates distinct eras of the city’s history that have direct connections to Thomas Paine Park.
The open green space across the park has cultivated the installation of various temporary pieces of art. Additionally, events like summer concerts that take place in the space on a regular basis while it also features a Wedding Garden, further connecting it to residents and the nearby buildings. In doing so, might otherwise be a plain or ordinary greenspace has instead utilized the history and settings of the city and country to define an identity that residents and visitors can engage with in numerous ways.
Modest Depictions of Massive Legacies
New York City is full of massive monuments that depict and honor the founders of the country and important New York icons. The understated and subtle ways that Thomas Paine Park has done so for similar people and icons showcases the many different ways that an identity can be realized for the benefit of everyone.
