nycparks

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: 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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