West 87th Street Park & Garden
The West 87th Street Park & Garden is a beloved, bucolic escape for nearby urban dwellers. Located at 55 West 87th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, the green space is free and open to the public, thanks to the hard work of garden committee volunteers.
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The space – which according to GreenThumb spans a bit over 4,000 square feet – comes with tables and chairs, benches, birdbaths, arbors and a playground. It’s played host to Halloween parties, live jazz performances and more.
Sadly, the garden was recently targeted by spray-painting vandals who first graffitied its walls (and wooden bench) on Friday, May 26.
West 87th Street Park & Garden
West 87th Street Park & Garden
That very weekend, a garden volunteer bought a can of paint and painted over the mess, restoring the small park to its previous form.
West 87th Street Park & Garden
But on June 12, the vandals struck again.
West 87th Street Park & Garden
The volunteer also tells us that last week, tables and umbrellas were vandalized; it looks like they were burnt with a lighter.
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In the last couple months, block residents have frequently spotted groups of high school kids smoking pot in the family-friendly garden. The larger issue is that when they leave, trash is everywhere.
Given the “End of Year 2023” inscription, the volunteer we spoke with is assuming it’s pot-smoking seniors responsible for the damage.
We asked if they’ve considered installing a security camera or filing a police report. There’s a meeting scheduled for July 15, at which time several items including these will be discussed.
In the meantime, the West 87th Street Park & Garden could use extra hands during their upcoming work days: Sunday, July 9 and Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you’re available to help with some garden work (weeding, raking, etc.), please email 87thstreetgardennyc@gmail.com.
It’s community space; people have a right to bring their culture to bear on it.
Seriously?
Not at all. 🙂 It’s just hard to see something like this, and realize that there will 0% investigation. No arrests, no public shaming. Nothing. It was done without guilt, shame, or even risk.
I’m incredibly frustrated that we voted for this, indirectly. Or perhaps directly.
??
City living.
What do you expect?
How about installing cameras?
With a sign that says they are being videotaped. Someone can watch on the computer.
Report to Citizen (app)
Or make it a real graffiti wall.
Check out Wynwood Walls in Miami Florida
Go get ‘em!
I’m
Why report to Citizen? Why not report to the police?
Since you specify their age demographic, let’s hear their race. Let me guess…
This is a remarkable post. You’re literally saying, “I’m going to assume, based on nothing, that anyone committing a crime is black. Look at me, proud racist!” Congrats to you.
This is what happens when you have public housing.
why are you assuming they are black?!?
Another scumbag joins us on the upper west side. Sad.
This unique siloxane product creates a non-stick surface that repels graffiti from paint, paint spray cans and permanent markers.
Sherwin Williams
Mark, thank you for the helpful comment. Sounds like the garden needs people to pitch in and buy that Sherwin Williams paint.
Bored teens have vandalized throughout history (as numerous knocked over suburban mailboxes can attest). It’s better to find ways to thwart them than to show your racist side by proclaiming that like only kids of a certain race or residence pull this nonsense. Talk about willful ignorance!
Thank you for writing. I’d like to clear something up.
I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
It was not me that brought up age race religion or anything like that.
I belong to a minority myself and i take Your comment extremely personally. You might want to go back and read over the comments.
I’m a case it is wrong and illegal to deface property.
Thanks
I’m not sure who you are, “M.” I don’t see any earlier comment from you.
In any case, I was referring to earlier comments from “Reality is Hard” and “mike” who are definitely making nasty comments.
Thanks for clarifying. Appreciate that Steen.
I don’t advocate beating vandals but I understand it.
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