Car Rentals in New York City and the Washington Square Park

Of the more than 1,700 parks in New York City, Washington Square Park is, by far, one of the most well-known, attracting roughly the same amount of NYC tourists as the larger Central Park and popular Battery Park. Surrounding by New York University, (the park actually doubles as what the students call the campus green) Washington Square Park is a popular meeting place for fresh, young faces, as well as numerous artist figures and bohemian personalities. Just minutes from the trendsetting neighborhood of Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park functions as a major lower Manhattan landmark devoted more to architecture than to actual green space. Home to a variety of influential pieces and features, including the Washington Square Arch and the obvious statue of George Washington, the park remains a center of intellectual achievement and artistic vision. Located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, Washington Square Park is a definite-must visit for first-time city visitors, so remember to stop by when driving your car rental in New York City!

Unique Park Features

If youre driving your car rental in New York and happen to pass the Washington Square Park, try and take the time to pull over and actually explore the area. A handful of exciting amenities and unique features are currently located within the park including:

• Built-in Chess Tables Located on the Southwest corner of the park, these cemented in tables encourage park visitors to enjoy a challenging game of chess anytime and all the time! Featured in the 1994 film Searching for Bobby Fischer, the tables were a popular hang out for Stanley Kubrick during his youth! These tables have long been a part of the areas impressive chess culture, which includes a number of chess shops in addition to the renowned Marshall Chess Club on nearby 10th Street.
• The Washington Square Arch Erected to commemorate the centennial of George Washingtons inauguration as President of the United States, the Washington Square Arch has gone through numerous renovations. Originally constructed out of wood and plaster, the Stanford White design became so popular that a marble version was commissioned in 1895, standing an amazing 77ft tall. Sculptures of Washington as a solider and president were later added to the Arch in 1916 and 1918. The arch was recently renovated in 2001.
• The Fountain The stunning fountain is one of Washington Square Parks defining features, creating a stunning focal point for pedestrians and car rental drivers alike. Originally located at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, the fountain was moved to its current location in the mid 1870s.

Other prominent monuments in the park include J.Q.A. Wards bust of the steel manufacturer Alexander Lyman Holley, the statue of Italian nationalist leader Giuseppe Garibaldi by Giovanni Turini and a World War I flagpole. Two dog runs are also located within the park one for small dogs and one for larger dogs.

Redesigning Washington Park

If youve been driving your car rental in New York City lately chances are youve caught wind of a controversial new plan to refurbish the entirety of Washington Square Park. Set to be revealed to the public this February, the plan focuses on making the park safer to the public as well as more aesthetically pleasing. Major redesign features for the park include raising the parks sunken central section to grade, the relocation of the parks two dog runs, moving the parks two prominent statues of Garibaldi and Holley to the east and west central plaza and the reducing the number of chess tables located in the parks iconic southwest corner. Numerous concerns have already be brought forth regarding these plans, so remember to keep your eyes and ears open for more information during your upcoming car rental in New York City vacation!