Greeley Square Park is a small urban park in the middle of Manhattan. The triangular park can be found in the heart of the old newspaper and printing district of New York City. It can be found walking north on Sixth Ave from Little Italy, and is a few blocks away from Penn Station.
Greeley Square Park: Named in Honor of the Founder of the New York Tribune
Greeley Square Park is named after Horace Greeley (1811 – 1872), a renowned editor and political figure.
He was also the founder of the New York Tribune back in 1841. This is the reason for the park’s location in the midst of the old newspaper district.
With the New York Tribune, he was able to exercise significant sway on American public opinion from its pages.
Greeley fought for labour rights, including better working conditions and union legal protection. He was an outspoken opponent of nativism, a fervent abolitionist, and a proponent of protectionism. Greeley published editorials on a variety of hot-button issues, including the controversy surrounding free public schooling and the Mexican War.
Most famously, generations of Americans have followed Greeley’s famous advice to “Go West, young man, go West” in search of their fortunes on the uncharted continent.
Greeley ran for president in 1872 as a Liberal Republican, but was soundly defeated by Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885).
A few days before the election, his wife passed away, and Greeley himself died on November 29, 1872, a few weeks later. He is buried in Brooklyn’s Greenwood Cemetery.
In 1846, the site was purchased by the City of New York in conjunction with the construction of Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway).
Alexander Doyle’s bronze statue of Greeley was dedicated at the park in 1890.
Amenities at Greeley Square Park
At Greeley Square Park, you will find some a food stand. You can pick up a sweet pastry and a coffee here.
You will also find patio tables and chairs in the park, which has loads of trees and shade.s It is a nice place to grab a bagel and drink, sit in the park and eat. The fact that Ess-a-bagel is close by at 32nd Street also means that you can get a really nice bagel close by.
Statue of Horace Greeley is a popular spot where tourists and native New Yorkers take a rest or congregate.
Pop In the City, a kids event with bouncy castles is also sometimes held in the park.
The park also has some excellent public restrooms and these are open from 10 am to 4 pm. Thye can be found at Avenue of the Americas & Wes 32nd Street.
Opposite from Greeley Square Park, down 6th Avenue, there is another park that mirrors it – Herald Square.
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy this other one about parks in New York City.
