NYC isn’t necessarily the easiest place to find somewhere to relieve yourself, and when there is somewhere to go, it’s—well—absolutely disgusting most of the time. One of the more specifically horrid public restrooms in NYC was the one in Tompkins Square Park.
Luckily, the city council already has plans in motion to increase the amount of public bathrooms in the city. However, since that will take some years to accomplish (so long as Mayor Eric Adams gives his stamp of approval) we can only look to the present for where to answer nature’s call. And after two years of closure and $5.6 million later, Tompkins Square Park’s public bathrooms are back in business.
NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh, New York Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Community Board 3 Chair Andrea Gordillo, and others joined in the park on Tuesday, April 15th to announce its reopening of the Tompkins Square Park Fieldhouse.
Both the interior and exterior of the facilities have been improved, including new entryways, a first aid room, a lifeguards’ locker rooms (because don’t forget Tompkins Square Park has a mini pool), and the Park’s staff area.
“Our public spaces are precious, and we will continue to work in coalition to address public safety, park maintenance, sanitation concerns and more to ensure our community can continue to enjoy this neighborhood gem,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera.
The $5.6 million Mayoral funding is in conjunction with NYC Parks’ “Better Bathrooms” initiative to build 46 new bathrooms and renovate 36 existing ones throughout NYC. Manhattan will get 28 of those new bathrooms, Brooklyn 23, Queens 14, The Bronx 10, and Staten Island seven. Meanwhile, the existing bathrooms will get an upgrade in accessibility and energy efficiency.
Learn more about Tompkins Square Park’s newly renovated bathrooms and fieldhouse on the NYC Parks Department website.