Public Art

NYC Parks: FSG Park (Part 4)

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Keo and Kanami Kusajima at FSG Park, July 2023

First Street Green Park opened in 2008, sits between Houston and E 1st street, and had formerly been an empty lot between two buildings. Today, it is a site that highlights the best street art of the moment, and brings visitors together with murals, music, community and cultural events.

Art by Trasheer at FSG Park, July 2023

Like a gallery, the art changes regularly, and FSG Park has democratic approach. It holds open calls for art, but also features some of the most notable muralists, and is proud to include artists from all over the world. The Trops has collaborated with FSG Park at Keeping The Faith and Above Fresh Air, sharing a goal of community participation through the arts.

Work in Progress at FSG Park, July 2023

The appeal of FSG Park is in its ephemeral nature but unchanging mission. Visitors can always depend on being impressed by new graffiti, live music, performance, and good energy. FSG is for everyone. In this way, it’s a true manifestation of New York City street arts and culture. It brings out all of the best parts of the city– art, culture, style, diversity, charisma, collaboration– and shares them on one lot in The Lower East Side.

Art by KEO at FSG Park, July 2023

The Trops spoke with Anthony Bowman, Park Administrator, who shared some history of the park.

Video by Avery Walker

Shop our “Train Writers” collection, featuring artwork from FSG Park.

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NYC Parks: Central Park (Part 3)

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Lithograph by Julius Bien, Central Park (Summer), 1865, via the Met Museum

Central Park, and all of its features and amenities, demonstrate the intent that designers Olmsted and Vaux had in 1858– to create a social space where New Yorkers could come together to connect with nature and enjoy arts and culture. The vast park contains listless hidden gems and art drops, but below are a few highlights. 

The Literary Walk

The Mall and Literary Walk is the wide walking path lined with trees and benches, located mid-park at 66th St. The path is renowned– it was part of Olmsted and Vaux’s original design of the park. Today, it is populated with vendors, musicians, and artists, it has been featured in many of the famous movies filmed in Central Park, and the path leads the way to many favorite spaces in the park. It is named the “Literary Walk” because of the sculptures of notable writers that it features, including William Shakespeare, an art drop that can be found using the Trops Mobile app.

William Shakespeare, Photo by Avery Walker

Chuzo Tamotzu, Central Park South, 1935, via the Met Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Located on the edge of Central Park facing 5th Avenue, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a significant and beloved institution of art history in New York City. The museum has one of the largest collections in the world, with a diverse and endlessly fascinating breadth of art works. Between the Met and Central Park’s Great Lawn sits the obelisk known as “Cleopatra’s Needle”.

“The Indian Hunter”

“The Indian Hunter” by John Quincy Adams Ward, was first built on a smaller scale before it became the life size bronze monument that we see in Central Park today. The Met Museum describes some of the history surrounding the statue:

“With his statuette of a Native American youth and his dog, Ward answered the call for sculpture modeled by home-based, rather than expatriate, artists in a realist style. He imagined an Arcadian hunting scene, a stark contrast to the reservation system by then established to confine Indigenous peoples to U.S. government-specified tracts of land.”

John Quincy Adams Ward, The Indian Hunter, 1860, via the Met Museum

Anonymous, Central Park, Statue of The Indian Hunter, 1860, via the Met Museum

José de Creeft, Alice in Wonderland, 1959, Photo by Avery Walker

Conservatory Water 

Many water features can be found in Central Park, and the Model Boat Pond at Conservatory Water is a popular favorite. Visitors can watch the races of miniature boats and yachts on the pond, and it is an ideal place for relaxing. The scenery also draws guests towards one of the most adored statues in Central Park, Alice in Wonderland. 

The sculpture was donated by philanthopist and publisher George Delacorte, as a gift to the children of the city and in honor of his late wife, who loved literature and would read “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” to their children.

Find “Cleopatra’s Needle”, “The Indian Hunter”, “Alice in Wonderland” and many more art drops and hidden gems on the Trops mobile app, available in the app and google play store.

Video by Avery Walker

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NYC Parks: Prospect Park (Part 2)

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William Merritt Chase, Alice Gerson in Prospect Park, 1886, via the Met Museum

Prospect Park, the crown jewel of Brooklyn, NY, is admired by tourists and adored by locals. The green space, spanning 585 acres, is nestled in the middle of several charming Brooklyn neighborhoods. Since its opening in 1867, the park has been a place of leisure for New Yorkers in the busy city. Below is a guide to some of Prospect Park’s art drops. 

Grand Army Plaza

Reminiscent of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, Grand Army Plaza features an arch in honor of Union Civil War soldiers. The space holds the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, open on Saturdays year round. Grand Army Plaza serves as a striking transition from the city to the verdant park.

Grand Army Plaza, Photo by Avery Walker

Lookout Hill

Lookout Hill is the highest point in the park, and offers a beautiful panorama view of Manhattan and Brooklyn. A great time to visit is in the late fall, after most leaves have fallen, and the hill has the best visibility. There, you can also find the Maryland Monument. This art drop is a tall Corinthian column that commemorates the Maryland 400, the group of Maryland soldiers who fought at Lookout Hill almost a hundred years before the park opened.

The Horse Tamers, Machate Circle, Photo by Avery Walker

Machate Circle

Machate Circle is the grand south entrance of Prospect Park. Like Grand Army Plaza, designers Olmsted and Vaux envisioned the space to be a palatial transition from busy city to peaceful park. Here, you can find “the Horse Tamers”, using the Trops mobile app. This entrance leads right to the Prospect Park Lake, a popular place for fishing and leisure.

Hiking Trails

Prospect Park features several hiking trails. As the weather cools, fall is the perfect season for hiking and spending long hours out in the beauty of nature. See the leaves change in Brooklyn’s oldest forest.

Find “The Horse Tamers”, “The Maryland Memorial”, Grand Army Plaza and more art drops and hidden gems on the Trops mobile app, available in the app and google play store.

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NYC Parks: Olmsted Parks (Part 1)

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Prospect Park, Photo by Avery Walker, 2023

Frederick Law Olmsted is widely recognized as one of the most influential landscape architects in history. Together with his partner Calvert Vaux, Olmsted created iconic designs for New York City’s Central Park and Prospect Park, leaving an indelible mark on urban landscapes.

In 1858, Olmsted and Vaux’s design for Central Park was selected through a competition, chosen over 32 other entries. Their vision was a departure from the prevailing Victorian-era park designs characterized by geometric patterns and ornate features. Instead, Olmsted aimed to create a practical park that embraced the natural landscape, incorporating native plants and offering an escape from the bustling city. The design prioritized harmony with nature rather than asserting human dominance over it. The result was a revolutionary concept that introduced an idealized version of nature within an urban setting. Central Park’s winding paths, tranquil ponds, and wide green spaces provide respite for residents and visitors alike.

Olmsted’s influence extended beyond Central Park. Prospect Park in Brooklyn, also designed by Olmsted, was similarly intended to serve as a sanctuary for city-dwellers seeking solace in nature. Constructed in one of the most densely populated areas of the country, Prospect Park provided a much-needed escape and a source of inspiration for the local community. 

Beyond the immediate impact on New York City’s landscape, Olmsted’s work elevated the profession of landscape architecture itself. He brought a visionary and artistic approach to his designs, recognizing the importance of creating spaces that not only served practical purposes but also resonated with people on a deeper level. 

Frederick Law Olmsted’s legacy lives on in the enduring beauty of Central Park and Prospect Park, as well as in the countless parks and landscapes that have been inspired by his innovative designs. His commitment to blending nature with urban environments continues to shape the way we perceive and interact with public spaces, reminding us of the profound impact that thoughtful design can have on our quality of life.

Prospect Park, Photo by Avery Walker, 2023

Embrace the spirit of adventure with the Trops mobile app and unlock the hidden gems of your community, like the enchanting parks of New York City. The Trops mobile app is a guide to new art drops experiences. This fall, step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and let Trops be your ultimate companion. Download the app now and let the adventures begin.

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Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and the South Street Renaissance

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Isaiah Zagar, the artist behind Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Looking up at the wall, the story in its entirety stares back at you. One by one, each mosaic tile is meticulously placed, revealing an intimately personal construction. Its scale speaks to the energy behind it. Your eyes begin to section off the piece, finding little details, and discovering pieces of the puzzle. Cool tones come together in harmony and mirrored tiles shine out. Figures take shape and reveal expressive faces and phrases. It’s full of life. Facing outwardly and reflectively to the buzzing streets. Isaiah Zagar captures Philly in his murals and regifts it back to the city.

Zagar’s best-known work, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, is a beloved gem located on South Street’s Headhouse District. The Magic Gardens is an interactive art exhibit featuring a maze with mosaic walls bursting with color and texture. Walls of found and repurposed objects like glass bottles, bicycle parts, and ceramic dishes cluster together and create a whimsical wonderland for you to get lost in. The unique style and bewitching energy attracts Philadelphians and tourists alike to explore the South Street area, which is where most of Zagar’s work is concentrated.

Since he came to Philadelphia, Zagar’s work has breathed vitality into South Street. The value of his contributions and the powerful potential of public art as a whole can be demonstrated through South Street’s history, providing us with a case study on public art’s impact and relationship with community.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

South Street’s influential origins date back to several immigrant communities who first called it home. It is a long-held tradition that South Street is a designated spot to seek entertainment and eclectic experiences. Originally, it was not a part of the Philadelphia city limits. Live music was not allowed by the Quaker doctrine, so South Street, being on the outskirts, is where live music lived. The depth of this energy can be felt reverberating through the streets and is captured exquisitely through Zagar’s works, which are peppered throughout the area. You can find the sweeping murals on street-facing building exteriors, or tucked into alleys, inviting you to explore where you are. Catching a glimpse of the first mural, then the second, and you’re suddenly searching for more. Your eyes are enticed to take in your surroundings, consciously seeking beauty.

Perusing the neighborhoods of Philadelphia becomes a familiar and energizing pastime. Every block seemingly breeds a new feeling. From Rittenhouse to Old City, from the Gayborhood to South Street; they’re all Philly, uniting in their undercurrents. Grit, ambition, and a vibrant community bond everyone. Each neighborhood connects in close proximity, making a large, urban city feel breezy and quaint. But there was a time when visions of redevelopment and suburban convenience sought to change the city.

First proposed in 1964 by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Crosstown Expressway was a highway expansion that would disrupt this cultural unification by dividing the area by race and income. When the Crosstown Expressway was proposed, South Street was struggling. It was seen as a less desirable area to live in, thus contributing to the campaign for highway expansion. With low-cost property available, bohemians, artists, musicians, and hippies began moving in, including the Isaiah Zagar and his wife, Julia, who moved to South Street in the 60s. As Isaiah began constructing his public artwork, the Zagars effectively joined The South Street Renaissance. Whether they knew it or not, this move was an act of rebellion.

A CCPDCC protest

Soon, the Zagars called on their protesting skills learned in the Peace Corps and fought alongside their neighbors. Culture and art began taking over as they all came together to repair the neighborhood. As they thrust life back into South Street and other neighborhoods joined in the fight, the City Planning Commission was no match for the Philadelphian spirit. Through artistic visions and united voices, South Street was spared, allowing us to continue treasuring it today. Zagar, amongst many, was a part of the effort to protect South Street and the surrounding communities. 

Community organizing was key, namely the Citizens’ Committee to Preserve and Develop the Crosstown Community (CCPDCC). The CCPDCC was created in 1968 by housing activist Alice Lipscomb, community leader George Dukes, and lawyer Robert Sugarman. Alice Lipscomb was an esteemed African American organizer, passionate about her community and its citizens. Fearless and committed, she united groups to fight against slumlords and racist housing policies.

The CCPDCC partnered with a supportive local architectural firm to convince the city South Street was salvageable with new land use plans drawn up as their rebuttal. The new plans were a contentious debate between the CCPDCC and government leaders for years, until Lipscomb broke through to newly elected mayor Frank Rizzo in 1972. Their agreement included scrapping the Crosstown Expressway, rehabilitating low-income housing, reducing household relocation, and supporting local businesses, with additional planning to be directed by the community.

Alice Lipscomb

Lipscomb’s work prevented the decimation of vibrant South Street, rallying citizens to protest alongside her. Her tireless labors of love for Philadelphia inspired Isaiah Zagar to create a sweeping, grand-scale mural in honor of this local hero in 2003 on S Sartain St. His signature style is immediately evident, as is his admiration and respect for Lipscomb. Capturing Lipscomb’s essence through abstract figures and larger than life depictions, this mural amplifies Zagar’s impressive body of work. It is another love letter to South Street.

Zagar’s work has continued to grow since South Street was salvaged, serving as a testament to what could have been lost. The Magic Gardens was completed in the 90’s and has been a cherished part of the locale since. It’s hard to imagine Center City with a major highway plunged through it. Thanks to the hard work for Alice Lipscomb and Isaiah Zagar and others who fought alongside them, it remains intact and vibrant. One Philadelphia stroll is enough to know why the South Street Renaissance fought this threat. 

Isaiah and Julia Zagar

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