Drumgoole Plaza

Drumgoole Plaza by Pace University and an overpass.

Drumgoole Plaza is a New York public park sitting under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge, located on Frankfort Street connecting Park Row and Gold Streets, adjacent to the main building of Pace University at One Pace Plaza.

Part of the New York Department of Parks & Recreation, it was constructed to revitalize Lower Manhattan after the attacks of 9/11. Drumgoole Plaza, the first of the thirteen public open spaces that were renovated or newly created with funds granted by Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to develop green spaces, was officially opened on November 5, 2003.[1]

The Department of Parks & Recreation and Pace University reconstructed Drumgoole Plaza, transforming this empty lot into a new sitting area complete with the 1964 New York World's Fair benches, colorful decorative paving, architectural lighting, and lush landscaping with horticultural elements such as flowering trees and ornamental shrubs. The park’s fall hues are Pace colors – blue flowers and gold-edged leaves; over 20 new trees including Goldenrains, Honey Locusts and Hollies along with 1100 shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses such as winter hazel, hydrangea, blue star, and striped ribbon grass surround the colorful new park and pathway that connect Frankfort and Gold Streets. The area has been completely re-paved and new granite and concrete curbs have been constructed. A comprehensive bird netting system has been installed to improve the public's enjoyment of the area.

Pace University provided new spotlights along the property to preserve public safety in the evening. They also provided electrical connections for the decorative lights that illuminate the bridge structure. Pace maintains Drumgoole Plaza park under the management of the Department of Parks & Recreation.

The park is named Drumgoole, for John Christopher Drumgoole (1816-1888), a hero of the newsboys who thronged the area when Park Row was the headquarters of New York City’s major newspapers (including The New York Times, in the building Pace now occupies at 41 Park Row). Drumgoole joined the priesthood in midlife and worked tirelessly to help homeless youth.

External links

• The Department of Parks & Recreation website of Drumgoole Plaza Park
• New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
• Pace University

Coordinates: 40°42′40″N 74°00′15″W / 40.71111°N 74.00417°W / 40.71111; -74.00417