History of Bryant Park

Bryant Park is often referred to as the “Backyard of Times Square.” This urban oasis is located just a block away from One Times Square. Bryant Park used to be a local secret, a place New Yorkers could run to get away from tourists, but now, it’s one of the most popular places to hang out in New York City. But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, there was a time when absolutely no one wanted to visit Bryant Park, and people would take great pains to avoid it. What changed? Let’s explore the history of Bryant Park in New York City.

Early Days of Bryant Park

Would you believe that Bryant Park was a designated public space in Manhattan before the United States ever even existed? In 1686, New York’s colonial governor Thomas Dongan designated the area we call Bryant Park as public space. It was, of course, not known as Bryant Park at the time. In 1823, the area became a potter’s field, and finally in 1847, a park known as Reservoir Square opened on the space. This was home to the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, presented inside the magnificent New York Crystal Palace in 1853. Legend is the Otis elevator was first displayed to the public inside the Crystal Palace. Elijah Otis reportedly stood high above the crowd in his elevator. He was proud that his elevator had the world’s first elevator safety break. He cut the rope suspending his elevator, and the crowd gasped as it began to plummet. The safety break took hold like clockwork, and the world was changed, people trusted elevators!

Sadly, the New York Crystal Palace burned down in 1856. During the American Civil War, the area was used for military drills, and it was also the site of some of the infamous New York City Draft Riots. Then, in 1870, Reservoir Square was renovated, and the current park layout was established.

Why is Bryant Park called Bryant Park?

Bryant Park got its name in 1884, It was named for William Cullen Bryant, notable speaker and editor of the New York Evening Post. William Cullen Bryant was also a staunch abolitionist. Today, a giant statue of William Cullen Bryant stands at the east end of Bryant Park.

Around this same time, another defining feature of Bryant Park came into existence: This idea for a giant beautiful library on the east end of Bryant Park. Today, we know this library as the Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library, recognizable for the two iconic giant lions outside.

This all sounds beautiful, so when did Bryant Park become a place to avoid? Well, in the 1930s, Bryant Park needed renovation. It was neglected. By the 1960s, Bryant Park had reached a state of deterioration that made it one of the least desirable parks in New York City. There was lots of crime within the park, which was aided by giant stone walls that police could not see though. A man was even murdered in the park in 1976! In 1980, over 400 drug-related arrests were made within 6 months! So how did Bryant Park turn itself around?

Bryant Park Today

In 1980, Dan Biederman and Andrew Heiskell, chairman of Time Inc, teamed up with the New York Public Library to create the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation. Together they created initiatives to clean up graffiti, and repair notable physical damage. In 1983, Frank Biondi (president of HBO, no big deal) wrote a fat check to about the tune of $18 million to help clean up the park. In 1988, a four-year project to rebuild Bryant Park began. Yes, it meant the park had to be closed for four years, but it granted the Park new and safer entrances, paths, and lighting. The park’s bathrooms had been closed for 35 years! They re-opened and today they are considered by many to be a tourist attraction in and beyond themselves. The Bryant Park bathrooms: Best bathrooms in New York City. Perhaps the biggest change came in 1993 when Bryant Park was home to New York City’s Fashion Week! Bryant Park was back on the map in all the best ways,

Today, Bryant Park is a favorite hang out with fun family-friendly activities year-round. It’s also just steps away from our giant Welcome to Times Square billboard. Learn how you can appear on our billboard in Times Square for as low as $150 a day. It’s the perfect pairing with Bryant Park.