15/09/2025
Pocket parks of privately-owned public spaces (POPS) owned by building owners in exchange for building variances such as going up or doing something with the interior space. They may contain art work or sculpture, good ones have seating and greenery, and some even have cool water features such as Paley Park or Greenacre Park. They predominantly all over Manhattan, but some can be found in the boroughs of New York City.
I found some of these when I was an actor in New York and wanted a free place to sit and rest in between work or auditions. When my kids got older, I started venturing into Manhattan to find these parks and a book was born. It took a lot more than that, but that's a story for another day.
September and October has the best weather for exploring some of these spaces, so I encourage you to hop on the train if you live nearby. I will be doing just that soon so I can add to my book in the future.
Visit this link and consider getting your copy!
Vest pocket parks began in New York City as a solution to the problem of little green space in a tangle of concrete buildings. The first was built around 1965 and they have been springing up ever since. BEST Pocket Parks of NYC will help you find a park near your office, near your apartment, o...
