East 47th Street

Hello, fellow New Yorkers! In the perpetual motion of our incredible city, finding moments of tranquility and connection with nature can feel like a rare luxury. Yet, right in the heart of Midtown East, nestled beside the iconic United Nations Headquarters, lies a significant urban green space that offers just that: the East 47th Street Park. More formally known as Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, this elongated park is a vital artery of calm and community, providing a much-needed respite from the urban hustle and bustle.

This isn't just any city park; it’s a site steeped in history and purpose. Originally conceived in the late 1940s as part of the ambitious development surrounding the United Nations, the plaza was designed to serve as a grand, landscaped approach to the international complex. Its history is tied directly to the widening of East 47th Street to create a more expansive thoroughfare, with a significant portion dedicated to this public green space. In 1961, following the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld, the revered second Secretary-General of the United Nations, the park was officially renamed in his honor. This renaming solidified its role not just as a park, but as a symbolic gateway to a global institution, a place where international dialogue and local community converge.

Over the decades, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza has evolved, with expansions and redesigns enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Notable additions, like the Katharine Hepburn Garden within the plaza (named for the legendary actress who was a long-time Turtle Bay resident and park advocate), have enriched its character. Today, the park is a vibrant hub, serving as a gathering place for peaceful demonstrations, a venue for cultural festivities, and a regular host to a popular greenmarket. For anyone living or working in the surrounding neighborhoods of Turtle Bay and Midtown East, the East 47th Street Park is an indispensable part of their urban landscape, offering both beauty and utility in equal measure. It's a testament to how thoughtful urban planning and dedicated community efforts can create and sustain invaluable public spaces in the heart of a metropolis.

The East 47th Street Park, known as Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, is strategically located at E 47th St, New York, NY 10017, USA. It stretches along the south side of East 47th Street, spanning the entire block between First and Second Avenues. This prime Midtown East location makes it incredibly accessible for a vast number of New Yorkers and visitors alike.

For those relying on our comprehensive public transportation system, the park is just a short walk from several major subway stations. The 4, 5, 6, 7, and S (Shuttle) trains all converge at Grand Central-42nd Street, which is a convenient stroll of approximately 10-15 minutes to the park. Additionally, the E and M subway lines at Lexington Avenue-53rd Street also offer a viable option, making the park easily reachable from various parts of Manhattan and beyond. Numerous bus routes also traverse the avenues bordering the park, providing additional accessibility for local commuters. The park’s proximity to the United Nations Headquarters naturally makes it a popular spot for international diplomats, UN staff, and visitors to the global institution.

The design of the plaza itself, with its wide, promenade-like structure, ensures easy navigation for pedestrians, including those with strollers or wheelchairs. While the park is an open public space, its distinct layout and thoughtful landscaping provide clear pathways and inviting areas for rest and recreation. Given its central location, it serves as a natural meeting point and a convenient break spot for anyone navigating the vibrant, albeit often hectic, streets of Midtown East. Its seamless integration into the urban fabric means that whether you're heading to work, enjoying a lunch break, or simply exploring the neighborhood, the park is always within easy reach, offering a breath of fresh air and a change of pace.

As a public park, the East 47th Street Park (Dag Hammarskjold Plaza) offers a variety of "services" that enhance the quality of life for locals and provide a welcoming environment for all:

• Greenmarket: Hosts a weekly greenmarket (managed by GrowNYC), providing fresh, local produce, baked goods, and artisanal products directly to the community.
• Public Art Exhibits: Features temporary public art installations, enriching the cultural landscape of the neighborhood and offering rotating visual interest.
• Event Space: A frequent site for public demonstrations, rallies, and cultural festivities, serving as a significant public forum for expression and community engagement.
• Passive Recreation: Offers ample benches and open spaces for quiet contemplation, reading, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
• Katharine Hepburn Garden: Houses a beautiful, secluded garden within the plaza, providing a more intimate and lush natural retreat.
• Public Restrooms: Essential facilities are often available during park operating hours, providing convenience for visitors.
• Free Wi-Fi: In certain areas, public Wi-Fi access may be available, allowing visitors to stay connected.
• Environmental Stewardship: Maintained through the collaborative efforts of NYC Parks and community groups like the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, ensuring a clean and well-kept environment.

The East 47th Street Park, or Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, boasts several distinctive features that contribute to its unique character and appeal:

• Symmetrical Layout with Fountains: The plaza features a symmetrical design, enhanced by six steel pavilions, each housing a fountain. This creates a calming and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, with the gentle sounds of water contributing to its tranquility.
• Promenade Leading to the UN: A wide, welcoming promenade leads eastward, providing a visual and physical link to the United Nations Headquarters, underscoring its significant international context.
• Katharine Hepburn Garden: As mentioned, this beautiful garden within the plaza is a highlight, featuring lush plantings, a bench once owned by Katharine Hepburn, and inscribed steppingstones with her quotes, offering a personal touch and a deeper connection to local history.
• Temporary Art Installations: The park is a dynamic canvas for rotating public art, ensuring there's always something new and inspiring to discover during your visit.
• Greenmarket: The weekly GrowNYC Greenmarket is a major draw, transforming a portion of the plaza into a bustling marketplace for fresh, regional goods, promoting local agriculture and healthy eating.
• Cafe Concession: A small cafe near the eastern end of the park, designed to resemble a glass greenhouse, offers refreshments and a cozy spot to relax.
• Speakers' Corner Tradition: Historically, and continuing to this day, the plaza has served as a de facto "speakers' corner" for protests and demonstrations due to its proximity to the United Nations, making it a place of democratic expression.
• Dedicated Community Stewardship: The Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a local nonprofit, actively works to maintain and beautify the park, organizing events and fostering a strong sense of community ownership.

As a public park, the East 47th Street Park (Dag Hammarskjold Plaza) doesn't typically offer commercial "promotions" in the traditional sense. However, it is a hub for numerous free and low-cost community events and activities that can be considered special offerings for locals. The most prominent regular offering is the weekly Greenmarket by GrowNYC, usually held on Wednesdays. This allows New Yorkers to purchase fresh, seasonal produce directly from local farmers, often at competitive prices, while supporting sustainable agriculture.

Beyond the Greenmarket, the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza frequently organize free cultural events, such as concerts, art exhibits, and children's storytelling sessions. The annual Katharine Hepburn Birthday Celebration in May is a notable free event, often featuring live music and activities that draw the community together. Given its role as a public forum, the park also hosts various free rallies, demonstrations, and awareness campaigns throughout the year, reflecting its importance as a place for civic engagement. To stay informed about upcoming free events, art installations, or special programming, locals are encouraged to check the official NYC Parks website or the website of the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, as these are the primary sources for current schedules and announcements. These offerings are designed to enrich the community experience and are a fantastic way for New Yorkers to enjoy free, high-quality programming in a beautiful outdoor setting.

For inquiries about the East 47th Street Park, including its management, events, or how to get involved, you can direct your questions to the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, the dedicated community organization that works in partnership with NYC Parks to maintain and enhance this vital public space.

Address: E 47th St, New York, NY 10017, USA (This is the general address for the park's location.)

For more specific contact regarding the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza:

Mailing address: 224 East 47th Street, Room 339, New York, NY 10017

Phone: (212) 826-8980

You can also typically find updated information and event calendars on the official NYC Parks website for Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, or directly on the Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza website.

The East 47th Street Park, known to many as Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, is truly an ideal spot for New Yorkers. Its prime Midtown East location provides an accessible escape from the surrounding urban intensity, offering a much-needed breath of fresh air and a quiet moment amidst the city's ceaseless energy. For those working in the nearby offices, it's the perfect spot for a rejuvenating lunch break or a brief stroll to clear the mind. Residents of Turtle Bay and surrounding neighborhoods cherish it as their local green space, a place where they can enjoy nature, engage with neighbors, and participate in community activities.

Beyond its role as a simple park, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza acts as a cultural and civic anchor. The weekly Greenmarket provides direct access to fresh, healthy food, a huge benefit in a dense urban environment. The ever-changing public art installations ensure that each visit offers something new and stimulating. Furthermore, its historical significance as a site for public discourse and its direct connection to the United Nations give it a unique gravitas, making it a place where local life intersects with global awareness. This combination of natural beauty, historical depth, community services, and cultural offerings makes the East 47th Street Park an indispensable part of the New York experience for locals, fostering well-being, connection, and a sense of pride in our city’s vibrant public spaces.

East 47th Street

E 47th St, New York, NY 10017, USA