In late May, the Parks Department quietly posted leaflets around Washington Square Park warning that from Friday to Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, it would officially close two hours early, at 10 p.m. Angry New Yorkers blasted the closure on social media and, in the coming weeks, flooded the park in protest (the police have only intermittently enforced the curfew). Although it seemed like a hasty decision, it was actually months in the making, the culmination of lower Fifth Avenue residents regularly complaining about large raucous crowds outside their windows (going back to last summer, after Black Lives Matter protests were held in the park) and recent stories (mostly in the New York Post) that painted a disturbing picture of Washington Square as a trash-strewn, anarchical space where open-air drug bazaars, on-the-loose stabbers, an out-of-control homeless population, and packed weeknight raves were the new norm. With crime a central focus in the mayoral race, the park seems to have become a lightning rod for those who are concerned that the city is backsliding — and for those who see overpolicing and the encroachment on public space as something even more dangerous. Some things are clear: Dealers have continued to peddle their supply despite police blocking off the northwest quadrant, which is known for its drug activity. And recent NYPD data for the 6th Precinct, which includes Washington Square Park, show upticks in year-to-date complaints of rape, robbery, and felony assault compared with 2020 (even though tens of thousands of residents fled the city during the pandemic). But what is being in the park actually like? The weekend following a clash between parkgoers and officers enforcing the curfew, New York camped out there for 48 hours. What we saw: a complicated ecosystem filled with contradictions. A joyous 200-person mosh pit, homeless residents sweeping up after partygoers, and a stabbing. A trans pride rally and EMTs snoozing in their vehicle. A skater doing a trick over a prostrate drunken man — and some clueless bachelor-party attendees who suspected the barriers had been put in place to protect the park from rabid squirrels.
Friday
3:02 PM
A man sleeps on a bench. Nearby, a barefoot man in an aqua velvet toga walks around greeting people. NYU students shop for vintage clothes from vendors set up around the fountain.
3:58 PM
On the northwest side of the park, a man feeds the pigeons. This entire corner has been cordoned off since late May, with the New York Post gleefully labeling it a “drug den.”
4:15 PM
Caroline von Gilsa, who recently moved to the city from Berlin, sits with her daughter. “We have a lot of homelessness in Berlin,” she says. “But here it’s different: full-on despair.”
5:36 PM
A park guitarist takes a drum lesson from another park performer, who offered to teach him how to play.
7:32 PM
A skater smokes a joint on the east side of the park. The skaters, apparently, are unhappy with some new planters at the foot of the steps, which are blocking one of their favorite spots.
8:35 PM
A DJ on the platform east of the fountain has set up a table with a laptop connected to a generator. Near the arches, a college-age guy ekes out Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”
8:50 PM
A crowd of 50 or so has gathered around the DJ, who is playing Pop Smoke and Lil Wayne so loud that it can be heard on the other side of the park.
8:53 PM
An older man enters the party to observe. He is mostly danced around.
10:03 PM
What began as a dance circle is now a mosh pit of 150. (Many claim the party the night before was wilder. Says tourist Zach Boyette, “There were fireworks. I’m talking big boys.”)
Friday
3:02 PM
A man sleeps on a bench. Nearby, a barefoot man in an aqua velvet toga walks around greeting people. NYU students shop for vintage clothes from vendors set up around the fountain.
3:58 PM
On the northwest side of the park, a man feeds the pigeons. This entire corner has been cordoned off since late May, with the New York Post gleefully labeling it a “drug den.”
4:15 PM
Caroline von Gilsa, who recently moved to the city from Berlin, sits with her daughter. “We have a lot of homelessness in Berlin,” she says. “But here it’s different: full-on despair.”
5:36 PM
A park guitarist takes a drum lesson from another park performer, who offered to teach him how to play.
7:32 PM
A skater smokes a joint on the east side of the park. The skaters, apparently, are unhappy with some new planters at the foot of the steps, which are blocking one of their favorite spots.
8:35 PM
A DJ on the platform east of the fountain has set up a table with a laptop connected to a generator. Near the arches, a college-age guy ekes out Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”
8:50 PM
A crowd of 50 or so has gathered around the DJ, who is playing Pop Smoke and Lil Wayne so loud that it can be heard on the other side of the park.
8:53 PM
An older man enters the party to observe. He is mostly danced around.
10:03 PM
What began as a dance circle is now a mosh pit of 150. (Many claim the party the night before was wilder. Says tourist Zach Boyette, “There were fireworks. I’m talking big boys.”)
“Two weeks ago, they were playing Pop Smoke right there by this lamp. Everyone in the park migrated toward the music. I made friends with this random shirtless dude — we started bumping together. I never really partied in high school. I was a total fucking loser, but here it doesn’t matter. I can let loose and have fun for the first time in my life. And it’s as much of a learning experience as anything else I’ve done all year in college. Like, look, I got baggy jeans two weeks ago, ’cause everyone here is wearing baggy jeans.” —Lalo Kaufman-Rodriguez, student
11:08 PM
Mayoral candidate Paperboy Love Prince raps about universal basic income. At his nearby booth, a campaign volunteer gives away leaflets, pizza, water, masks, and pre-rolled joints.
11:25 PM
The DJ set breaks up because of the rain. Yet another equally loud party begins by the fountain.
Saturday
12:06 AM
Someone in a mask tags the arch.
12:17 AM
A man in his 20s runs out of the fountain. Two students from Howard University — interning at Pyer Moss and Oscar de la Renta for the summer — sit on the edge, watching.
2:01 AM
A violent fight breaks out in the middle of the dance party. As things escalate, someone cries “Gun!” Some scatter. The fight eventually travels to the street, and a woman is stabbed.
3:04 AM
A skater does a trick over a drunk man after he screams, “Come ollie over me!” The skaters offer him water, but he asks for more alcohol. They place a bottle of water in his hand anyway.
11:08 PM
Mayoral candidate Paperboy Love Prince raps about universal basic income. At his nearby booth, a campaign volunteer gives away leaflets, pizza, water, masks, and pre-rolled joints.
11:25 PM
The DJ set breaks up because of the rain. Yet another equally loud party begins by the fountain.
Saturday
12:06 AM
Someone in a mask tags the arch.
12:17 AM
A man in his 20s runs out of the fountain. Two students from Howard University — interning at Pyer Moss and Oscar de la Renta for the summer — sit on the edge, watching.
2:01 AM
A violent fight breaks out in the middle of the dance party. As things escalate, someone cries “Gun!” Some scatter. The fight eventually travels to the street, and a woman is stabbed.
3:04 AM
A skater does a trick over a drunk man after he screams, “Come ollie over me!” The skaters offer him water, but he asks for more alcohol. They place a bottle of water in his hand anyway.
“I came here alone to skate. But, sadly, this park has become so toxic and just ass lately. I would low-key blame it on TikTok. TikTok brought the shorties and then the shorties brought the weird n- - - - - who follow them around. Recently, there was this n- - - - who got hopped by eight other n- - - - -. They took him to that tree, took out a box cutter, and started cutting up his back. But mostly, the place has just become OD mainstream and lame.” —Isaiah Smith, model
3:06 AM
The Hare Krishna festival road crew starts to set up tents around the plaza for the next day’s festival, which is slated to begin around noon.
4:50 AM
Police officers and an EMT crew enter the park looking puzzled. Within minutes, they all walk back out. Asked if they got a prank call, one officer says, “Who knows?”
5:01 AM
Close friends, a graduate of an NYU master’s program and a schoolteacher, wade into the fountain shoeless. Nearby, two men on a bench sing “Creep” by Radiohead.
5:52 AM
An early-morning speed walker. The park’s lawn sprinklers switch on, as does the fountain’s central spout.
3:06 AM
The Hare Krishna festival road crew starts to set up tents around the plaza for the next day’s festival, which is slated to begin around noon.
4:50 AM
Police officers and an EMT crew enter the park looking puzzled. Within minutes, they all walk back out. Asked if they got a prank call, one officer says, “Who knows?”
5:01 AM
Close friends, a graduate of an NYU master’s program and a schoolteacher, wade into the fountain shoeless. Nearby, two men on a bench sing “Creep” by Radiohead.
5:52 AM
An early-morning speed walker. The park’s lawn sprinklers switch on, as does the fountain’s central spout.
“Before COVID, there were people around the park who helped regulate it. So, like, if Screaming Steve, this crazy regular, came in, someone would say, ‘Get the fuck out,’ and he’d leave. Then 2020 happened, and crazy people were everywhere. Now that we’re finally getting back into the full swing of things, nobody wants to share the park, because everybody’s used to having, like, a full studio apartment. And now you’ve got thousands of roommates. I think the ecosystem of the park got beaten badly. Everyone is just trying to live with each other again.” —Te’Devan Kriyavan Kurzweil, QiGong Sound healer and freestyle rapper
10:01 AM
A personal trainer leads a small group through some exercises. Elsewhere, kids play soccer near the southeast corner, and an Upper East Sider trains with his self-defense instructor.
10:20 AM
Shedrick, a chess player and park fixture, says he usually gets here at 9 a.m. and clocks out at 6 p.m. “A lot of the day is like fishing, trying to get people to play even if they don’t want to.”
10:21 AM
At the playground, kids play while their dads sit together. Everyone ignores the caution tape, and it’s unclear why it’s there.
11:18 AM
A park ranger fishes a book of proverbs out of the fountain.
11:25 AM
A performer from a theatrical procession takes a break. Other members of the company — which includes, incidentally, Nomadland author Jessica Bruder — are dressed as frogs.
11:36 AM
Two dogs tussle at the festival site.
12:14 PM
The Hare Krishna festival is in full swing. A kid poses for a picture with a diorama showing the stages of life.
1:19 PM
The park’s only public bathroom is rather clean and well kept. It is used by everyone — chess players, skaters, and mid-festival Hare Krishnas.
2:11 PM
The festival seems to have reached its peak. A yellow Hare Krishna flag waves in the air while a big group dances with cymbals and hand drums. People gather under the arch.
2:26 PM
A park ranger removes fresh graffiti from the night before—gay is good — using as little paint as possible.
3:02 PM
A group of 30-somethings hang out with their kids.
10:01 AM
A personal trainer leads a small group through some exercises. Elsewhere, kids play soccer near the southeast corner, and an Upper East Sider trains with his self-defense instructor.
10:20 AM
Shedrick, a chess player and park fixture, says he usually gets here at 9 a.m. and clocks out at 6 p.m. “A lot of the day is like fishing, trying to get people to play even if they don’t want to.”
10:21 AM
At the playground, kids play while their dads sit together. Everyone ignores the caution tape, and it’s unclear why it’s there.
11:18 AM
A park ranger fishes a book of proverbs out of the fountain.
11:25 AM
A performer from a theatrical procession takes a break. Other members of the company — which includes, incidentally, Nomadland author Jessica Bruder — are dressed as frogs.
11:36 AM
Two dogs tussle at the festival site.
12:14 PM
The Hare Krishna festival is in full swing. A kid poses for a picture with a diorama showing the stages of life.
1:19 PM
The park’s only public bathroom is rather clean and well kept. It is used by everyone — chess players, skaters, and mid-festival Hare Krishnas.
2:11 PM
The festival seems to have reached its peak. A yellow Hare Krishna flag waves in the air while a big group dances with cymbals and hand drums. People gather under the arch.
2:26 PM
A park ranger removes fresh graffiti from the night before—gay is good — using as little paint as possible.
3:02 PM
A group of 30-somethings hang out with their kids.
“If you have an artistic side, this park really sparks a fire in you. You’ve got people out here selling paintings and clothes, musicians, people trying to hustle and make a living off of different artistic things. People come out here because they really want to network, too. I’ve been coming here and getting out of the Bronx for the past two or three months now, and I’ve met so many people. I’ve made connections. I’ve gained followers for my music. Plus I feel safer than a motherfucker here.” —Robert Cintron, musician
3:38 PM
The Hare Krishnas are selling 98-cent cups of watermelon. Demetrios Argyropoulos, who is walking through, buys some. “I ate it over the fountain, juice dripping everywhere,” he says.
4:27 PM
Two siblings here for the festival.
5:07 PM
In the middle of, but separate from, the festival, a pair of performance artists paint a canvas with their bodies and dance to music playing from a speaker.
5:36 PM
A small trans pride rally makes its way through the park. A crowd gathers around for photos as they walk by.
6:24 PM
The festival begins to be disassembled.
9:20 PM
The cops arrive at 9 p.m. to set up a barricade around the arch. They tell passersby that a 10 p.m. curfew will be enforced tonight.
10:28 PM
As the cops are barricading, dozens of dirt bikers and BMX kids drive by doing tricks. Several stop to be interviewed by the boys from the popular Instagram show Sidetalk.
Sunday
12:12 AM
Once it’s clear that the 10 p.m. curfew is not being enforced, the We Outside Crew — helmed by David Ortiz, known as Shaman — set up their party.
12:31 AM
A DJ at the We Outside Crew party plays “Blue,” by Eiffel 65, while Shaman screams, “We outside turning up together!” A firecracker flies through the air and hits someone on the back.
12:58 AM
“Washington Square Park is our home base,” Shaman says of his parties. “But as soon as we gain a following, we’ll go to other parks. Our goal is to be the next Coachella.”
1:30 AM
The police begin breaking up the We Outside Crew party.
1:41 AM
They break up the mosh pit at the fountain, too.
1:52 AM
Police begin enforcing a curfew, albeit lightly. They escort some partyers out of the park. No one is arrested.
3:38 PM
The Hare Krishnas are selling 98-cent cups of watermelon. Demetrios Argyropoulos, who is walking through, buys some. “I ate it over the fountain, juice dripping everywhere,” he says.
4:27 PM
Two siblings here for the festival.
5:07 PM
In the middle of, but separate from, the festival, a pair of performance artists paint a canvas with their bodies and dance to music playing from a speaker.
5:36 PM
A small trans pride rally makes its way through the park. A crowd gathers around for photos as they walk by.
6:24 PM
The festival begins to be disassembled.
9:20 PM
The cops arrive at 9 p.m. to set up a barricade around the arch. They tell passersby that a 10 p.m. curfew will be enforced tonight.
10:28 PM
As the cops are barricading, dozens of dirt bikers and BMX kids drive by doing tricks. Several stop to be interviewed by the boys from the popular Instagram show Sidetalk.
Sunday
12:12 AM
Once it’s clear that the 10 p.m. curfew is not being enforced, the We Outside Crew — helmed by David Ortiz, known as Shaman — set up their party.
12:31 AM
A DJ at the We Outside Crew party plays “Blue,” by Eiffel 65, while Shaman screams, “We outside turning up together!” A firecracker flies through the air and hits someone on the back.
12:58 AM
“Washington Square Park is our home base,” Shaman says of his parties. “But as soon as we gain a following, we’ll go to other parks. Our goal is to be the next Coachella.”
1:30 AM
The police begin breaking up the We Outside Crew party.
1:41 AM
They break up the mosh pit at the fountain, too.
1:52 AM
Police begin enforcing a curfew, albeit lightly. They escort some partyers out of the park. No one is arrested.
“The party was beautiful. It was dope. Every weekend, there are at least 200 people banging into each other. Perfect strangers. You got gang members. You got punk rockers. You got transgenders, gays, lesbians. No matter what color you are, everybody’s together. Right now, everybody is happy. Last night, I guess my friend got into an altercation. I went to the store, and when I got back, the ambulance was there with the police, and I heard that somebody got stabbed. I hear he’s okay. Stuff happens, stuff you can’t control. We can only control ourselves.” —Luis de Jesus, a.k.a. the Joker
4:03 AM
A pair of girls pass through the now almost entirely empty park.
4:05 AM
The Joker (Luis de Jesus) — a fixture who has become the de facto villain of the Post’s park coverage — lights a cigarette.
5:00 AM
Two people who slept in the park help each other start their days. Around them, about a dozen or so people sleep on benches.
5:09 AM
Erika, who is known as Ma to park mainstays, brushes her hair.
4:03 AM
A pair of girls pass through the now almost entirely empty park.
4:05 AM
The Joker (Luis de Jesus) — a fixture who has become the de facto villain of the Post’s park coverage — lights a cigarette.
5:00 AM
Two people who slept in the park help each other start their days. Around them, about a dozen or so people sleep on benches.
5:09 AM
Erika, who is known as Ma to park mainstays, brushes her hair.
“I got here last night and slept here. I’ve been here every weekend. I would love it if people respected each other a little more. Like, there was a guy here a couple of weeks ago, and it was his birthday. We all just wanted to celebrate, but he got drunk, and he put his hands on his girlfriend. So these other guys jumped him. My friends, as soon as they saw him gushing out blood, started patching him up. Even though he’s a bad guy, we’re still gonna patch him up. Then we asked him to go away, to leave the girl alone. Then we made sure the girl got home. I don’t think that guy ever came back.” —Erika, a.k.a. Ma
5:28 AM
Three post-party friends stop in the park after a night out. A man in scrubs walks his dog nearby.
5:34 AM
Crystal, who says she works at a nearby Le Pain Quotidien, roller skates around the park.
5:47 AM
Channel 7 News arrives to do a segment on the violence in the park.
5:57 AM
Having been up in the park for a few hours now, a park regular eats breakfast.
6:03 AM
“The Family” — Shaman, Erika, Joker, and two park regulars (one wearing a wig he found in the park) — pose for a group portrait.
7:45 AM
This squirrel is pretty much the only one awake in the park right now.
8:31 AM
Chris, a fixture of the park, sweeps up by the northwest corner.
9:31 AM
A group gets to work scraping stickers off the poles. By this time, the park is bustling. A woman cleans a bench with a wipe before sitting with her Shih Tzu.
9:33 AM
Two dog owners take a picture of their dachshund.
10:53 AM
A woman sits and reads an article headlined IT’S WASHINGTON SCARE PARK. “I only read the Post on Sundays,” she says guiltily.
5:28 AM
Three post-party friends stop in the park after a night out. A man in scrubs walks his dog nearby.
5:34 AM
Crystal, who says she works at a nearby Le Pain Quotidien, roller skates around the park.
5:47 AM
Channel 7 News arrives to do a segment on the violence in the park.
5:57 AM
Having been up in the park for a few hours now, a park regular eats breakfast.
6:03 AM
“The Family” — Shaman, Erika, Joker, and two park regulars (one wearing a wig he found in the park) — pose for a group portrait.
7:45 AM
This squirrel is pretty much the only one awake in the park right now.
8:31 AM
Chris, a fixture of the park, sweeps up by the northwest corner.
9:31 AM
A group gets to work scraping stickers off the poles. By this time, the park is bustling. A woman cleans a bench with a wipe before sitting with her Shih Tzu.
9:33 AM
Two dog owners take a picture of their dachshund.
10:53 AM
A woman sits and reads an article headlined IT’S WASHINGTON SCARE PARK. “I only read the Post on Sundays,” she says guiltily.
“We come in here every day at 6 a.m. because we live nearby and we’re dog people, and recently I found needles in the dog run. I’ve been sending videos to the New York Post, but they haven’t gotten back to me. I was surprised. It’s really going to shit over here. I mean, they kicked out the crackhead corner, but now it’s just spreading. The curfew made a difference, but there’s still so much glass everywhere. And a lot of, you know, cracked-out zombies. It’s all just really dangerous to people and dogs.” —Bradford Schneider, investment professional
11:55 AM
A woman sits with her lamp.
12:42 PM
Veteran Jim Hale puts up his fists. “I avoid the place at night,” he says. “I’m 83 and can throw a punch, but I don’t ever want to get into a fight. I’d be so worried about hurting someone.”
1:34 PM
Bachelor-party scavenger hunters cross the northwest barricades. The park’s drug users have relocated to a path on the park’s western side, where they openly smoke and sell.
2:12 PM
A group of barefoot women plays in the fountain.
11:55 AM
A woman sits with her lamp.
12:42 PM
Veteran Jim Hale puts up his fists. “I avoid the place at night,” he says. “I’m 83 and can throw a punch, but I don’t ever want to get into a fight. I’d be so worried about hurting someone.”
1:34 PM
Bachelor-party scavenger hunters cross the northwest barricades. The park’s drug users have relocated to a path on the park’s western side, where they openly smoke and sell.
2:12 PM
A group of barefoot women plays in the fountain.
