20th Anniversary: The Reading Room Appears in 2003

When we last left the history of Bryant Park, the original “Open Air Library” had closed in 1942, a victim of the nation’s growing prosperity and involvement in World War II. Remember, the original concept had been to give unemployed workers and intellectuals a place to go during the day. Once the nation had ramped up for war and achieved full employment, it was decided that the need for the al fresco facility had passed.

Fast forward 60 eventful years, through which the fortunes of Bryant Park gradually ebbed, hit rock bottom in the late 1970’s, began to recover in 1980 with the formation of the Bryant Park Corporation, and ascended to new heights with the 1992 reopening of the park after a complete renovation.

In 2003, BPC decided to bring back the concept of a place where people could come and read al fresco for no charge. The motivation was somewhat different than in the 1930’s. The birth of the Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC was due to the success of the park, not to the failure of the economy. Paul Romero, Director of Tourism and Visitor Services, was charged with running the Reading Room, and HBSC Bank provided sponsorship that has lasted until present day. The grand opening ceremony, at which NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe spoke (see photo), drew the attention of the New York Times.  

The Reading Room was originally just about books and periodicals, with a collection of 300 volumes and 100 magazines and newspapers. In its second year, though, BPC introduced the three original Word for Word series, including Author, StoryTime, and Kids. Authors appearing that year included Candace Bushnell (Sex in the City), Simon Winchester, and Penn Gillette. In 2005, the Reading Room hosted Poem in Your Pocket for the first time, and ever since, this celebration of verse has kicked off the Word for Word season each April. After eight years of growth and adjustments, Word for Word is now the city’s premiere outdoor literary series, with 10 categories including Author, BookClub, Kids, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Reel Talks, StoryTelling, StoryTime, Writers, and Writers Teens. There are 85 Word for Word events scheduled at the Reading Room in 2012.

Along with being an instant hit with the public, the Reading Room was honored with a 2004 Neighborhood Achievement Award from the International Downtown Association (IDA), and a 2004 Neighborhood Development Achievement Award from the NYC Department of Small Business Services. In 2008, IDA added a Downtown Achievement Award for the Word for Word series.          

It’s difficult now to imagine Bryant Park without The Reading Room, but we by no means take its success for granted. Its success is due to dedicated management by BPC’s Paul Romero, Quentin Robbins, Susie Sigel, and Nancy Ng, and the hard work performed by our energetic and friendly operating staff. We also have the generous support of an amazing array of sponsors to thank, including HSBC Bank USA, Oxford University Press, Scholastic, Mitchell’s NY, our retail partner Kinokuniya, the Gotham Writers Workshop, the New-York Historical Society, Conde Nast, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Time Inc., and Rodale.

For more information on the park's transformation, read posts from our 20th Anniversary Series: 

• March 20: Bryant Park from 1992 to Today
• March 26: Bryant Park Before BPC
• April 4: The Tide Turns in 1980
• April 10: Bryant Park in the 1930's 
• April 19: 1934 Renovation and Robert Moses
• May 2: The Reading Room's Depression-Era Predecessor 

This is an excerpt from a series of articles on the transformation of Bryant Park from our weekly newsletter, MidCity News, written by Terry Benoit. MidCity News keeps park enthusiasts informed about our events, milestones, operations, and all of the detailed maintenance work that goes into caring for the park. Weekly updates are sent with our sister organizations 34th Street Partnership and Chelsea Improvement Company. 

You can view this most recent edition of MidCity News online, or sign up to receive it in your inbox. 

Musical Chairs Extravaganza on the Lawn

This summer, in celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we've planned an epic musical chairs battle set to take place on the lawn. We'll use our iconic green chairs to host as many as 400 people in several rounds of dance and sit. Come to enjoy the music and a summer's eve on the lawn, but you'll want to get your butt in a seat during the competition, as we'll be giving away prizes. Winners of the preliminary rounds will win a 20th Anniversary Tote Bag and admission to the grand prize round. The last chair standing in the final round will also win a piece of our classic furniture for their very own. With the stakes this high, be sure to sign up now. Everyone who participates will also receive a limited edition 20th Anniversary Musical Chairs T-shirt.


Musical Chairs Extravaganza
Wednesday, 8pm
June 20
Bryant Park Lawn

Composition of a Planter

Ever wonder about the lush cornucopia of plants and flowers that make up our verdant planters? Here our Director of Horticulture, Maureen Hackett, breaks down the composition of one of our sunny planters.

 

• Ipomoea margarita:  lime green on the left side, also known as sweet potato vine
• Algerian ivy:  green leaves tinged with white trailing down the left side of the planter
• Salvia farinacea:  violet-blue flowers protruding at the top
• Geranium Ivy 'Balcon Princess':  pale pink petals throughout
• Coleus 'Red Carpet':  deep red throughout
• Coleus 'Alabama Sunset':  red and yellow tones (not pictured)
• Blue petunia:  for color (not pictured)

Now you can try this at home. The difference between a lackluster home garden and an impressive park garden tends to be the scale. Try massing the plants together to provide drama, while mixing in a variety of color for added interest. Good luck!

Bryant Park Blog Q&A with Marty Appel

Sports fans, and particularly Yankees fans won't want to miss this baseball doubleheader at the Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC on Wednesday. Former Yankees PR rep Marty Appel and New York Times sports reporter Harvey Araton join forces to discuss their recent books and the Bronx bombers' legacy.

 

Mr. Appel's book is an encyclopedic narrative spanning the team's history, with a sprinkling of anecdotes and backstage stories from the perspective of a writer, who was not only intimately part of the Yankee's organization, but also a lifelong fan. Mr. Araton's book tells the story of the friendship forged between Yankee's greats of different eras, Yogi Berra and Ron Guidry. The lessons shared between the two remind us of the importance of wisdom, as well as shed light on some unforgettable baseball tales. The two will be hosted by WFAN Sports anchor Rich Ackerman.

Marty Appel took some time to answer our Q&A, in which he concedes what we could have guessed... He is a huge baseball fan!

What was your inspiration for this book?
As a former Yankee PR director, I’ve been involved with the team’s history for a long time. But when I realized one day that no one had written a narrative history of the club since Frank Graham in 1943 – it just felt like a void that needed to be filled.

Where do you do your best writing?  
I have a very comfortable home office surrounded by over 2500 baseball books. It’s a great place for the research and the writing portions.

Did you have an “a-ha!” moment that made you want to be a writer?
I began writing sports for my junior high monthy newspaper, and continued in high school and college. The style of a journalist always seemed right to me, and even long form writing – like a book – seems to follow that style for me.

Which author do you wish had been your 7th grade English teacher?
Well, see question 1! Frank Graham! I read his biography of Lou Gehrig in 4th grade and it was part of what me fall in love with the Yankees.

What is your secret talent?
I type fast. So my thoughts go quickly from brain to keyboard, and that allows me to “tell a story” without pausing, as though I’m doing it orally.

What is your favorite book?
I love American history, and William Manchester wrote a great one, The Glory and the Dream, about the US from 1932-1972. It’s politics, culture, everything.

Who reads your first draft?  
I had an all-star team of friends who are Yankee experts read the first draft, and their contributions were so valuable. They included Paul Doherty, Bob Heinisch, Tom Villante, Jordan Sprechman, and Rick Cerrone.

Do you read your books after they’ve been published? 
I do! And I always think of ways I could have improved particular sentences, or things I should have added. I’m very self-critical.

Do you prefer writing on a computer or longhand?  
The computer, and before that the wonderful IBM Selectric typewriter (which didn’t get the accolades it deserved).

What book are you currently reading? (Old school or e-Reader?)
Paul Dickson’s fine biography of Bill Veeck, The Juju Rules by Hart Seely, Banzai Babe Ruth by Robert Fitts, Driving Mr. Yogi by Harvey Araton, and In the Garden of the Beasts by Erik Larsen. Some on e-reader; I’ve learned to like that.

What word or punctuation mark are you most guilty of overusing?
Oh, I definitely use too many exclamation points! But I talk that way.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?  
A photographer. I really enjoy that hobby, even though I only use modest equipment, nothing professional.


Word for Word Author
Wednesdays, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
May 16 - August 22
Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC


Don't forget to check-in to the Bryant Park Reading Room on Foursquare on Wednesday when you come for the event. The first two people to check-in will receive a book by one of our featured authors!

New Eats Coming to 40th Street

The sweets and burger lovers out there will be delighted to hear about two new shops coming this summer to 40th Street. LT Burger and Lady M Confections have both put up signs in their soon-to-open, under-construction windows just south of the park.

LT Burger is the high end burger concept from Chef Laurent Tourondel, previously of the BLT Group. From the looks of the Sag Harbor location's menu, you can expect creative twists on classic burgers and sandwiches, as well as shakes and sides to tickle your fancy.

 

Lady M will bring not only top of the line pastries and cakes worthy of the finest events, but they're also serving up a savory menu of sandwiches and salads. Keep an eye out for opening dates, as both eateries promise to bring top notch tastes to the area, perfect for transporting to the park for a little lunch al fresco.

Our Rain Policy

With over 600 free events each year, Bryant Park is a pretty active place. Most of these events rely on decent weather in order for them to take place, since the park lacks covered areas and enclosed buildings. We have few options for feasible rain venues.

When we're facing a rainy week like the two that have just passed, we spend our days glued to weather reports and radar maps. Our general policy is to wait until the last possible moment to make a decision on whether a class or performance must be canceled due to bad weather.

Whenever possible, we adjust our plans to avoid canceling the activity. For example, if the lawn is too wet for yoga, we try to move the class to the Upper Terrace. If it looks like a storm is coming in, we may start a music performance a little early. We attempt flexibility above all else.

Whenever a change must be made, we do our best to update the website's calendar, as well as note any last minute changes on Twitter. If you're trying to plan to attend an event, you can also try calling our office. We may be able to give you an idea at what time we plan to make the decision about weather.

Word for Word Poetry with Barrow Street Press

We have the help of some very special guest bloggers at the Word for Word Poetry series this summer. They capture a first-hand account of the poetry readings, as well as help to interpret the work of the talented poets who present in the Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC .

Amanda O’Connor on Word for Word Poetry, May 22, 2012
Featuring the poets of Barrow Street Press

Last Tuesday marked the first installment of the ninth annual Bryant Park Summer Reading Series, sponsored by Barrow Street Press and University of Pittsburgh Press.  After the week’s thundershowers, the air was thick with humidity and the smell of wet grass.  The audience was unfathomable — friends of the poets, lovers of poetry, curious passersby, chess players within earshot, businessmen rushing with briefcases, children cart-wheeling on the lawn, fathers, and of course tourists.  Unlike so many poetry readings huddled in the back of bookshops, the Bryant Park Reading Room is especially enticing to those who weren’t planning to attend at all.  One audience member admitted that he’d never read a poem before coming to this reading.  Listening to contemporary poetry between the sounds of 42nd Street traffic is one of New York’s lingering romances, whether you are a connoisseur or a first-timer.

Lesley Wheeler opened the evening, reading from her latest collection, Heterotopia (Barrow Street Press, 2010).  The collection imagines her mother’s childhood in Liverpool during the Blitz. The poems, many of which are written from the perspective of her mother as a young woman, express more than fantasies and daydreams.  On one hand, Liverpool seems more like home than the poet’s native New Jersey; it is her birthright.  On the other hand, the darkness of the Blitz hangs heavily over her mother’s childhood.  The complexity of these second-hand memories is as twisted and entwined as the internal rhyme.  Wheeler puts us into those rooms, take us to the middle of a conversation even she never had.  It becomes clear that Wheeler’s sense of identity is tied so closely to a life she never lived, a place she cannot ever go.

20th Anniversary: The Bryant Park Tote

Now you can take Bryant Park with you. Carry it over your shoulder, and show it off. In honor of our 20th Anniversary, we've added a stylish tote bag to our online shop. The design for this six ounce cotton bag is meant to mimic the random patterns made by the chairs after park patrons move and arrange our popular furniture to their daily needs. To commemorate the 20th year since we reopened, there are 20 chairs represented on the bag.

Buy this and more Bryant Park apparel and gifts on the Bryant Park Shop.

Bryant Park Blog Q&A with Andrew Blackwell

Take a look at the environment and the state of our world's pollution at this week's Word for Word Author event, featuring authors Andrew Blackwell and Andrew Ross.  Mr. Ross draws on his fieldwork in Phoenix, Arizona in his book Bird on Fire: Lessons from the World's Least Sustainable City to note structural and sociological conditions that cause environmental ills in urban centers. Mr. Blackwell similarly tours a number of the world's most polluted cities for his book Visit Sunny Chernobyl, satirically pointing out the realities of these ruined city-scapes. New York Times Dot Earth Blogger Andrew Revkin will serve as moderator for the discussion, bringing his comprehensive knowledge on the growth of society within the bounds of the earth's limitations.

Before he's in the park on Wednesday, we asked Andrew Blackwell a few questions. He gives away his favorite place to write in NYC, and admits to some mean frisbee skills, and overusing em dashes.


What was your inspiration for this book?
A visit to Kanpur, India. It’s one of that country’s most polluted cities… and yet I found I really enjoyed it.

Where do you do your best writing?
No contest: the Schwarzman building of the New York Public Library (right next to Bryant Park). Either upstairs in the Rose Main Reading Room (I prefer the southern side), or the Genealogy Room.

Did you have an “a-ha!” moment that made you want to be a writer?
I’ve always thought it would be pretty cool to be a writer. I just grew up with a lot of books around, and always enjoyed English class in school.

Which author do you wish had been your 7th grade English teacher?
Geoff Dyer.

What is your secret talent?
I can throw a frisbee surprisingly well.

What is your favorite book?
Black Hole, by Charles Burns.

Who reads your first draft?
Nobody. But I’ve got half a dozen friends and family who read the second draft.

Do you read your books after they’ve been published?
I’ll read a couple pages every now and then, to remind myself that it actually exists.

Do you prefer writing on a computer or longhand?
I take field notes longhand, but transcribe and write on the computer.

What book are you currently reading? (Old school or e-Reader?)
The Gift, by Lewis Hyde, on a Kindle. It’s the first thing I’ve read on an e-reader, and I’m totally convinced.

What word or punctuation mark are you most guilty of overusing?
The em dash. I use it instead of semicolons sometimes—and even instead of commas. Soon I’ll be using it instead of periods.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
A documentary filmmaker. Which is just another way of being a writer, really.

Seamless at Breakfast Briefings

If you're interested in business, technology or food, you won't want to miss our first Breakfast Briefing of the year on Tuesday at the Southwest Porch. Lizzy Klein, the Vice-President of Product Seamless, will join Neil Janowitz, Senior Editor of Fast Company, for a look at Seamless' ever-burgeoning online food ordering empire.

Since its inception in 1999, Seamless has pushed food service into the future, by easing the pains of ordering delivery and take-out from over 7500 of your favorite restaurants in New York, London, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, to name just a few markets.

If you haven't tried Seamless, it's a revolution you must behold. Their streamlined service helps users quickly determine what delivery options are available in a given area, provides menus, and eliminates the need for individuals to pick-up the phone and worry over pronouncing your favorite specialty food orders. The service is equally friendly to restaurants. Businesses don't have to develop their own software to join the digital age. Seamless gives restaurant owners the tools and software to manage incoming orders and make deliveries in good time.

As always, our Breakfast Briefings are expertly moderated by editors from Fast Company, and breakfast will be provided from 'wichcraft. Register now for the discussion with Lizzy Klein on Tuesday, May 22, or check out the upcoming dates for the rest of the series, made possible by Southwest Airlines.


Breakfast Briefing with Lizzy Klein, VP of Product Seamless*
Tuesday, 8:30am - 9:30am
May 22
Southwest Porch


*Update: This session has been postponed to June 26.

WiFi 10th Anniversary

The Bryant Park Wireless Network first launched on June 24, 2002.  Over the last ten years, we’ve had over 800,000 users access our free, public network.  A staggering number in and of itself, but even more amazing when you learn that approximately 30% of that number was in the last year alone.

As technology has advanced, we've noticed a distinct shift in the type of users on our network. Originally, we only saw people out in the park with laptops. Now, over 75% of the users are on mobile devices such as iPhones, tablets, and other smart phones.

All of this is good news for us. These devices are more portable and have better battery life than laptops, so it's easier to spend longer amounts of time in the park multi-tasking. Couple this better technology with our 42 new electrical outlets in the park, and there's never been a better reason to ditch the fluorescent lighting and turn Bryant Park into your office oasis. 

Debuts this Week: Authors and Dancers

This week marks the return of Authors and Dancers to the park. Word for Word Author debuts at the Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC tomorrow with a very funny line-up. And then Bryant Park Moves takes over the lawn on Saturday for bouncing, jumping and stretching with Limon Dance.

Michael Showalter and Jenny Slate at the Reading Room in June 2011

Authors  Tomorrow, Ali Wentworth, Justin Halpern, and Sara Barron will kick-off our very impressive list of celebrity authors visiting the park this summer. You know Ms. Wentworth from In Living Color and Seinfeld, and now this very funny lady is breaking down the news for parents in Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth. She'll be talking about her new book Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales tomorrow in the Reading Room with Justin Halpern, who's best known for the Shit his Dad Says (sic). Mr. Halpern's will discuss his second book, sure to bring the same self-depricating, bittersweet humor, I Suck at Girls. Sara Barron will serve as host, wrangling these two comedians, while adding a little humor of her own. Ms. Barron's book of essays is called People are Unappealing: Even Me.

While you're there, be sure to check-in to the Bryant Park Reading Room on Foursquare. Tomorrow, the first three lucky attendees to check-in at the event will receive a book by one of our featured authors. We'll be giving away books all summer long, so come early, enjoy the talk and you may just go home with a free book!

Dancers  And then this weekend, you can take off your shoes, and spend your Saturday morning barefoot in the grass with Bryant Park Moves. This class from the Jose Limon Dance Company is energetic and freeing, a class that's truly accessible for all ages, and abilities. If you don't remember Limon Dance from last summer, take a peek at the video from our 2011 classes.

2012 Summer Film Festival and Kick-Off Contest

The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, Now with Pepsi and presented with Ralph Lauren begins on June 18. Get your blankets and picnics ready, and start eyeing your favorite place on the lawn.

You may recognize a few titles in the list below. As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the reopening of the park and the Film Festival, we're highlighting some of our favorite films from the last twenty years. Nine of the films have screened before in the park, and one is brand new for 2012.

JUNE 18  

PSYCHO 

Screened in 2007

JUNE 25  

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID

Screened in 2003

JULY 2  

THE WIZARD OF OZ 

Screened in 1997

JULY 9  

ON THE WATERFRONT 

Screened in 1996

JULY 16  

ROMAN HOLIDAY 

Screened in 1999

JULY 23  

THE MALTESE FALCON 

Screened in 2000

JULY 30  

REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE 

Screened  in 1993

AUGUST 6  

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD 

Screened in 1996

AUGUST 13  

ALL ABOUT EVE 

Screened in 1999

AUGUST 20  

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 

Film Festival Kick-off Contest

*Update May 21, 2012: The Contest is now closed. The winners are Sarah Gordon, Shellooble, Kenny, and WendyWatt. We'll be contacting you shortly via email to award your prize packages. Congratulations, and thanks to all who entered! 

Now that you’ve checked out the line-up, enter to win one of four Film Festival prize packages featuring

• Pair of reserved seats at the movie of your choice in the park


• Limited Edition Bryant Park 20th Anniversary Tote Bag


• HBO-themed swag including DVD sets, t-shirts, and drinking glasses from Game of Thrones, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, or Curb Your Enthusiasm


• Big Pony Fragrance Collection for Women by Ralph Lauren gift set containing four 15ml bottles in four distinct scents will be included in 3 of the prize packages. 

To enter, leave a comment here and tell us your favorite accompaniment to a night at the movies in Bryant Park. Please include your email address in your comment, so we can notify winners. For extra entries do one or both of the following and tell us about it in your comment below:

- Like BryantParkNYC on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter @BryantParkNYC (tweet @ us with #BPFilmFest and we'll follow you back!)

You'll get an extra entry per item. We believe in the honor code!

The contest will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, May 20 and four winners will be announced Monday, May 21 via email. A valid email address is required for entry. Prizes will be mailed by Friday, May 25. Entrants must have valid mailing address within the continental United States.

See you at the movies!

Piano in the Park Returns with Roy Eaton

Roy Eaton has been a mainstay at our lunchtime piano series over the years. Mr. Eaton is a gifted classical pianist, with a strong history in playing Chopin and Joplin. His interest in music started young. Mr. Eaton was a child piano prodigy, who played at Carnegie Hall when he was just six years old! For more on Mr. Eaton's childhood, see this NY Times article.

This Monday, Mr. Eaton will inaugurate the 2012 season of Piano in Bryant Park with an extra special performance. Monday is not only the season debut of Piano, but it's also Roy Eaton's 82nd Birthday! Here's what he has to say about his residence this week in the park...

"I will be performing Joplin, Chopin, Gershwin, Mozart and some suprises from my latest album "I Play for Peace". Come enjoy the park, the sun, a good lunch and some joyful music making. Hope you can make it."

Drop by Monday and wish him a Happy Birthday! You should also be sure to mention this photo for a real conversation starter. It's Mr. Eaton on the right, during that first Carnegie Hall performance back in 1937:

Piano in Bryant Park runs all summer with a very impressive lineup of musicians taking the seat at our piano on the Upper Terrace every weekday at lunchtime. Tune in for the full schedule. 

Monday's Big Announcement

The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, Now with Pepsi and presented with Ralph Lauren returns to the park on Mondays beginning June 18. As always, the schedule is a highly anticipated announcement in our summer lineup. But don't worry, the wait is almost over. We will announce the full 2012 film schedule on Monday morning right here on the blog. Be sure to check back for a chance to win one of several prize packages that include reserved seats at the film of your choice. Last year's prizes also included DVD sets from HBO's critically acclaimed shows.

Prepare to set your calendars for Monday movies in Bryant Park!

Painter in Residence

Over the years, we've been honored to see the park depicted in daily sketches, impressionistic watercolors, and stunning photographs. These works come to us almost by chance... the artist emails us, or we stumble upon it online. You can see a small collection of them on our Pinterest Board. This summer however, we're trying something new.

Bonnie Steinsnyder

Put your paintbrush to the Park. This summer, we're commissioning 3 painters to create representational images to serve as a visual record of Bryant Park. Each painter will spend two weeks in the park capturing landscapes, iconic architecture, and daily happenings.

Interested in taking up residence in the park? We're accepting submissions now through May 31, 2012. For information about eligibility, requirements, and the process please visit our website:

Painter in Residence Application

Frank Hanavan

Employee of the Month

We keep the park in excellent condition thanks to the hard work of many people. Our staff represents expertise in horticulture, sanitation, industrial design, security... the list really goes on and on. Each month, we single out an individual for superior performance on our sanitation team.

Richie Zinnermon was elected April's employee of the month for the second time. He's reliable, sets a good example for others on the crew, and frequently goes above and beyond what is required of him. What's even more incredible about Mr. Zinnermon is that he's been working for Bryant Park for over 22 years! He says the biggest change from then to now has been in the uniforms. The park staff used to wear white pants with simple green shirts.

Our new uniforms were reinvented in 2006 by Stan Herman, who also designed uniforms for FedEx and Jet Blue. We now sell the Bryant Park Vest and Jacket on the Bryant Park Shop. Did you know the design of the Bryant Park uniforms was inspired by the variegated colors in the bark of the London plane trees in the park?

You'll usually find Mr. Zinnermon on his route along the 42nd Street Allee. Say congratulations if you see him! 

20 Years of Bryant Park, The Exhibit

The last twenty years have marked a dramatic change in the condition and perception of Bryant Park. In the late 1980's the park was dangerous, rundown and under used. Today it is home to lush gardens, a carousel, a world class restaurant, as well as hundreds of events and programs. As we celebrate the transformation of the park from neglected to beloved, we're looking back on the park's history through photos, stories, and more. You may have been following our 20th Anniversary series on the blog, and now many of these elements come to life in a custom photo exhibit on the park's perimeter fence.

You'll see images from the park's storied past as the home of the Crystal Palace, pictures from the dark times, from our blockbuster events today, and then images that transcend generations like the simple act of enjoying your lunch break in the park's shady allees.

20 Years of Bryant Park will be on display around the park's fence through June 29. It can also be viewed virtually on Flickr at bryantpark.org/20thphotos.


Share your Bryant Park.
In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, we’re collecting your favorite images, stories and memories from your experiences in the park. We want to know if you were there in 1983... or even 1934.

Tell us your interactions with the park from then and now.
Tweet us @BryantParkNYC. Post on our Facebook. Email or write us a letter. Comment below.

The World's Largest Short Film Fest

Your film here?

On June 23, a competition of short films will take the screen in the park for Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival. Top films in the competition will be judged before an industry and celebrity panel live in the park, and Hugh Jackman will serve as the evening's host. Tropfest, which began in Australia, is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary this year, so spectators will also be treadted to highlights from the best films in the festival's history.

Want to see your original work on the screen in the park? Submit now for a chance at Tropfest glory. The regular deadline is May 10, and the extended submission deadline is May 17. Please visit tropfest.com/ny/submit/submission-info for more information.

Want to attend the fest? Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. Visit our calendar for information on registration.

Spring Recycling

Our very talented horticulture crew works hard to keep our gardens lush and beautiful throughout the year. In an effort to create seasonal interest and vibrancy, we rotate our annual plants with each changing season. As the weather turns warm, we are changing out our spring bulbs, and before they are discarded, we thought we'd try something new.

We've bagged the discarded flower bulbs and put them in the 40th Street allee directly north of our Park Operations office (The parkhouse is across from the Bryant Park Hotel). We invite the public to help themselves to free spring bulbs, while supplies last. We have a mix of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils up for grabs. Please remember this is for a limited time only, and bring your own gloves and bag to handle. We ask you keep the park tidy when you come to pick up.**

Planting Tips
Our Director of Horticulture Maureen Hackett recommends drying out the bulbs first, and either planting now in the ground, or storing in a cool, dry place until the fall. Be sure to store them in paper (not plastic!) in a moisture-free space, so they don't mold. If you're planning to plant them in pots or small containers, you can store them until early spring, place them in the refrigerator for about six weeks to cool them, and then plant in March for lovely spring blooms. Maureen says it's a bit of work to do correctly, so be warned!

We're also recycling flower bulbs at Herald Square with the 34th Street Partnership. Same rules apply!**

**Update May 7, 2012:
The bulbs at Bryant Park have been moved to the Fountain Terrace, and will be available until 7pm today. The bulbs at Herald Square have been depleted, but more bulbs are now available at Greeley Square through the end of the week.

**Update May 9, 2012:
All bulbs are gone from all locations.

20th Anniversary: The Reading Room’s Depression-Era Predecessor

Photo: NYPL 

Whether referred to as an “Open Air Library” or a “Reading Room”, the idea of offering visitors to Bryant Park the free use of newspapers, magazines, and books, was a logical one. After all, the park was named after a man who was a poet and a publisher, and it lies adjacent to one of the most famous libraries in the world, the magnificent New York Public Library. In fact, the park has had two incarnations of such a place – today’s Bryant Park Reading Room sponsored by HSBC , and, beginning back in the 1930’s, the first Bryant Park Open Air Library.

The first free reading outpost at Bryant Park was instituted in August 1935, just about one year after the renovation was directed by then-Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The Open Air Library was directed by “Miss Ruth Wellman”, superintendent of NYPL’s extension division, staffed by workers from the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration, and stocked with books supplied by NYPL and magazines donated by merchants and citizens. Its very existence was a frank comment on the times: it was meant to provide out-of-work businessmen and intellectual workers a place to read for free. It originally consisted of several benches, book and magazine racks, and five beach umbrellas for the staff, who worked six days a week from mid-morning until mid-evening.

Photo: Daily News

An article in the New York Times about the first day was not given to optimism about the venture: ‘Park Sitters Shun Open-Air Library’ ran the title. The body of the article explained how park visitors were satisfied with their own newspapers, and didn’t rush the table to take out books. The indefatigable Miss Williams was described as directing her staff to fan out over the park to spread the word that free reading materials were available. In an interesting aside, a snickering on-duty police was quoted as wondering just how many books would be “borrowed permanently.” To which the WPA aides responded, in unison: “The civic responsibility of New York’s citizens was all the assurance one needed of the volumes’ safety.” Those were wise words, and the aides’ faith was justified by an extremely low “missing” rate throughout the Open Air Library’s history.

The Open Air Library was a success for its time. At a 1940 celebration marking its fifth anniversary, NYPL Director Harry M. Lydenberg told the NY Times that 350,000 park visitors had borrowed the facility’s 400 books and 1,000 magazines. 1940 was the last full peacetime year in the U.S. for a half-decade. With World War II came conscription and full employment, and the very rationale for creating the original Open Air Library disappeared: there were very few people with nothing to do. It closed quietly after the 1944 season. It would not be until 2003 that the idea to bring this wonderful institution back to the park became reality.

For more information on the park's transformation, read posts from our 20th Anniversary Series: 

• March 20: Bryant Park from 1992 to Today
• March 26: Bryant Park Before BPC
• April 4: The Tide Turns in 1980
• April 10: Bryant Park in the 1930's 
• April 19: 1934 Renovation and Robert Moses

This is an excerpt from a series of articles on the transformation of Bryant Park from our weekly newsletter, MidCity News, written by Terry Benoit. MidCity News keeps park enthusiasts informed about our events, milestones, operations, and all of the detailed maintenance work that goes into caring for the park. Weekly updates are sent with our sister organizations 34th Street Partnership and Chelsea Improvement Company. 

You can view this most recent edition of MidCity News online, or sign up to receive it in your inbox. 

A New Season at The Southwest Porch

Breakfast Service. Linger in the park before you head into the office over coffee, a newspaper, and a little morning sun. 'wichcraft launched their all new breakfast menu at The Southwest Porch earlier this week offering seasonal pastries, yogurt, and 'wichcraft's hand-crafted granola.

Breakfast Briefings. Start your day early with breakfast and an inspiring seminar. Our monthly business series returns on May 22 with an inside look at different industries from the executives who know them best. Last year's participants included Bob Bowman of MLB.com and Alison Moore of HBO, among others. The schedule will be up soon, but if you're already convinced, go ahead and register here. Produced in partnership with Fast Company and Southwest Airlines.

Trivia.  Game Nights get even better at the Porch this summer with our all new Cult Movie Trivia Fest, every other Tuesday with the folks from triviaad.com. Topics will sample from some of your favorite cult movies including The Big Lebowski and Dazed & Confused. First up on May 22 is Sixteen Candles, so study up! Please RSVP to trivia@wichcraftnyc.com.

That's still not all! 'wichcraft is serving up a new grill menu with cheddar burgers and bbq-spiced grilled chicken sandwiches, not even to mention the Sip & Speak Language Meet-Ups taking place monthly at the Porch with inlingua. It's a busy summer at the Porch, so stay tuned to our calendar, and follow us on Facebook for reminders.