Washington Square Association

05/23/2026

We want to hear your opinion on the putting up gates at Washington Square Park. Click below to have your voice heard

*This is a short, non-scientific community survey. It does not advocate for or against gates, and it is not a vote or scientific poll.

05/18/2026

What NYC was built on

05/14/2026

The Washington Square Association is excited to invite you to the Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12PM–4PM at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza (rain date: Sunday, May 17).
- 12:00pm Chess Lecture by Grandmaster Joel Benjamin (SW Park pathway next to the Chess Plaza)
- 1:00pm: Simultaneous Chess Exhibition -GM Benjamin will simultaneously play against 23 registrants until one player remains
This free, family-friendly event features Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, who will kick things off with an accessible chess lecture, then sit down for a thrilling simultaneous exhibition against 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are welcome, and five spots are reserved for players 12 and under. To make it even more fun, Grandmaster Benjamin is offering a free lesson to anyone who draws—and two lessons if you checkmate him!

05/10/2026

Photograph of The Washington Square Arch in its final stages of construction. Designed by the legendary Stanford White in 1891, the Washington Square Arch was built to replace a temporary wooden structure and commemorate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. As a masterpiece of the “City Beautiful” movement, this Roman triumphal arch was intended to prove that American civic architecture could rival the grandeur of Europe. The monument is a study in dualities, famously featuring two distinct sculptures: “Washington at War” as Commander-in-Chief on the eastern pier and “Washington at Peace” as President on the western pier. Beyond the 55 stars and capital “W”s decorating the frieze, the attic story carries a powerful “mic-drop” quote from Washington himself: “Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.” More than a century later, it remains the ultimate gateway to Greenwich Village and an enduring symbol of New York’s Gilded Age ambition.

05/06/2026

A renewed push to install permanent gates at Washington Square Park that could be locked at night is sparking controversy between those who see it as an effective way to enforce the existing midnight curfew and others who see it as a violation of the Greenwich Village park’s spirit.

If you want to have your voice heard you can go attend the community board meeting

• WHEN: Tonight, Wednesday, May 6 @ 6:30 PM
• WHERE: In person at NYU Gould Welcome Center
(50 W 4th St) or via Zoom.
• ACTION: Register to attend via the link in our bio!

WHAT TO SAY: Whether in person or on Zoom, even one sentence matters: “I ask CB2 to defer the vote until there is a full proposal with design details and cost estimates.”
Let’s show CB2 that this neighborhood expects transparency and a seat at the table!

The idea of gates at Washington Square Park is is anathema to some. as the world-renowned park is famed for its freewheeling spirt and openness.

05/05/2026

🚨 URGENT: The future of Washington Square Park is on the line.

Tomorrow night, Community Board 2 could vote on a proposal to install permanent gates at WSP—and they’re being asked to do it without a design, without a budget, and without a full plan.

This isn’t the usual process. Normally, NYC Parks provides clear details before a vote. Supporting a “concept” without a plan sets a dangerous precedent for how our public spaces are managed.

The Washington Square Association supports finding ways to enforce midnight closures, but we believe community input is the bedrock of stewardship. We are asking CB2 to defer the vote until the public has the facts.

📍 WE NEED YOU THERE:
    •    WHEN: Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6 @ 6:30 PM
    •    WHERE: In person at NYU Gould Welcome Center (50 W 4th St) or via Zoom.
    •    ACTION: Register to attend via the link in our bio! 🔗
🗣️ WHAT TO SAY: Whether in person or on Zoom, even one sentence matters: “I ask CB2 to defer the vote until there is a full proposal with design details and cost estimates.”
Let’s show CB2 that this neighborhood expects transparency and a seat at the table. 🌳✨

WSA NYCParks LocalAction

04/27/2026

The Washington Square Association is excited to invite you to the Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12PM–4PM at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza (rain date: Sunday, May 17).

- 12:00pm Chess Lecture by Grandmaster Joel Benjamin (SW Park pathway next to the Chess Plaza)
- 1:00pm: Simultaneous Chess Exhibition -GM Benjamin will simultaneously play against 23 registrants until one player remains

This free, family-friendly event features Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, who will kick things off with an accessible chess lecture, then sit down for a thrilling simultaneous exhibition against 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are welcome, and five spots are reserved for players 12 and under. To make it even more fun, Grandmaster Benjamin is offering a free lesson to anyone who draws—and two lessons if you checkmate him!

04/21/2026

The Washington Square Association is excited to invite you to the Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12PM–4PM at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza (rain date: Sunday, May 17).

- 12:00pm Chess Lecture by GM Joel Benjamin (SW Park pathway next to the Chess Plaza)
- 1:00pm: Simultaneous Chess Exhibition -GM Benjamin will simultaneously play against 23 registrants until one player remains

This free, family-friendly event features Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, who will kick things off with an accessible chess lecture, then sit down for a thrilling simultaneous exhibition against 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are welcome, and five spots are reserved for players 12 and under. To make it even more fun, GM Benjamin is offering a free lesson to anyone who draws—and two lessons if you checkmate him.

Use the QR code to register!!!

04/21/2026

The Washington Square Association is excited to invite you to the Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12PM–4PM at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza (rain date: Sunday, May 17).

This free, family-friendly event features Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, who will kick things off with an accessible chess lecture, then sit down for a thrilling simultaneous exhibition against 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are welcome, and five spots are reserved for players 12 and under. To make it even more fun, GM Benjamin is offering a free lesson to anyone who draws—and two lessons if you checkmate him.

04/16/2026

Meet the Candidates for Assembly District 66

After 35 years of service, Assemblymember Deborah Glick is retiring. Join our community for a special opportunity to meet the individuals running to represent our community in Albany.

Wednesday, April 22nd
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
Our Lady of Pompeii, Father Demo Hall (25 Carmine Street)

The Candidates The following candidates are running for the seat: •
Furhan Ahmad (furhan Ahmad) •
Corinne Arnold () •
Ryder Kessler () •
Jeannine Kiely (Jeannine Kiely) •
David Siffert (David Siffert) •
Ben Yee (Ben Yee)
is a casual meet and greet designed for one-on-one conversation. There will be no formal presentations or speeches.

Monthly Community Council Meeting Immediately following the meet and greet.

Please join us for our communities Monthly 6th Precinct Community Council Meeting. We will receive the latest updates on neighborhood safety and local issues from the NYPD, the District Attorney’s Office, and community leaders.