A Walk in the Park. The History of Manhattan’s Public Green Spaces

A Walk in the Park is an illuminating journey through the city's greatest public sanctuaries. From the oldest greens of The Battery and Bowling Green to the sweeping lawns of Central Park and the modern marvel of the High Line, this beautifully written guide traces the evolution of Manhattan's public spaces and the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped them. Richly detailed and deeply informed, it reveals how a city once driven by commerce became one of the most park-filled urban landscapes in the world.
Each chapter offers both insight and adventure - pairing vivid storytelling with maps, vintage and modern photographs, and carefully curated walking routes that guide readers through the city's most fascinating parks and plazas. Explore the private enclaves of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Park, the revitalized landscapes of Columbus and Sara Roosevelt Parks, and the uptown greenbelt stretching from Morningside to Inwood Hill.
Along the way, discover hidden corners, historic monuments, and the enduring logic behind New York's approach to public space. Written by Keith Taillon, author of Walking New York and one of the city's most trusted historians, A Walk in the Park reflects his lifelong passion for uncovering the stories that shape the urban landscape. Taillon combines his expertise as a historian, urban planner, and licensed tour guide with a deep love for the city he once walked in its entirety - 977 miles during the pandemic year of 2020.
This essential companion invites locals and visitors alike to see Manhattan anew: through its parks, plazas, and the green heart that gives the city life.