UNION SQUARE COMMUNITY COALITION

Winter 2003

USCC Helps Hone North End Plan with Input from Annual Meeting

The Union Square Partnership's (USP) proposal for a new North End was presented at our Annual Meeting in September. The plan featured a food concession in a renovated Pavilion, with a raised space for outdoor dining, and a consolidated (though oddly shaped) sunken playground. Listening attentively and taking questions from our members were Karen Shaw, Executive Director of the Partnership (formerly the BID) and Parks Department Manhattan Borough Commissioner William Castro. The response to the plan was mixed, though some members agreed with Commissioner Castro that a concession is necessary to help fund the Pavilion restoration and is in itself an amenity.

In October, members of the USCC Board arranged a meeting with the Commissioner where we encouraged Parks to continue to improve the scheme and make USCC an official part of the process. In November, USP invited our Board to meet to review revised plans. The plan's designer, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, made notable improvements in the design of the playground and Pavilion, though improved circulation to the North End was not addressed.

Despite diverse opinions in our Board, we have agreed to support the project and work with USP, Parks Department, Community Board 5 and city officials as the design moves forward. USCC intends to continue to play a very active role, monitoring and shaping the design so it meets the needs of our community. Please contact us if you'd like to be involved in or informed about this pivotal project.

Also at our Annual Meeting our revised bylaws were amended, and the following were elected to the Board: Gail Fox, Co-chair; Susan Kramer, Co-chair; Barry Benepe; Leo Blackman, Recording Secretary; Markus Buri, Treasurer; Carter Craft; Aubrey Lees, Counsel and Jack Taylor.

Carnival Capers: Pink Fluff Flew!

We held our Children's Carnival on Sunday, October 3rd, under a beautiful blue sky after a week's rain delay. All kids, young and older, had a great time. We had more sponsors and activities than ever, including amazing Agostino Arts face painters, two adorable ponies and the friendly firefighters from Ladder Company 3. For bleary-eyed parents, Starbucks supplied us with endless cups of java. Next year we'll need a Got Milk truck to go with the goodies baked by USCC members Marlene Payton, Eadie Shanker and Stephanie Dennett. Special thanks go to Co-chair Susan Kramer's husband, Bernard Scharf, for literally mmersing in his job. Other Carnival elves included Chauncey Thorn, Len Shaver, David Sliney and Marilyn Aronson. Thanks to all our supporters whose generosity paid for one third of our expenses: America Restaurant, Barnes & Noble, City Bakery, Coffee Shop/Luna Park, Con Edison, Food Emporium, Kidding Around, Lower East Side Ecology Center, McDonald's/21st Century L.P.I., McBurney YMCA, Mighty Kite, Paragon Sports, Petco & Kitty Kind, Tiger Schulmann Karate, Sol Goldman Y, Starbucks, Sutton Gymnastics, Toys "R" Us, Union Square Ceramic Studio and W Union Square Hotel.

Yo-Ho-Ho, We Spy Art in the Park

USCC has been working with the Public Art Fund to commission a temporary sculpture in the Park through their "In the Public Realm" program in which emerging New York artists create works for public spaces. The proposed work is Peter Coffin's "Symmetrical Pirate," a ten-foot-tall sculpture of a pirate with equal attributes, complete with two parrots, two peg legs, two eye patches, etc. Coffin's playful investigations are less concerned with answers than with asking interesting questions that will challenge what we tend to normalize out of habit or convenience. Its proposed location in the southeast triangle will be a symmetrical counterpart to Gandhi. Installation is scheduled for fall 2004. Currently, the Public Art Fund is working to raise funds for the project. Anyone wishing to sponsor this whimsical and thought-provoking sculpture should contact USCC or call the Public Art Fund at 212-980-4575.

Recycle that Cell Phone and Tree

Sunday, January 4th Electronic Waste Recycling Day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Union Square's North Plaza. Working and non-working electronics such as computers, printers, TV's, fax machines and cell phones will be accepted. You may also bring your electronics to the compost stand at the Greenmarket on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For information contact the Lower East Side Ecology Center at oreinc@earthlink.net or 212-477-4022.


Sunday, January 11th Bring your Christmas tree to "Mulchfest 2004" at Union Square's North Plaza from 9 a.m to 3:30 p.m. for recycling.

Contact Us

Contact Us: E- or Snail Mail and Our New Web Link: www.preserve.org/uscc/ We are at P.O. Box 71, Cooper Station, NY, NY 10276. Our E-mail address is unionsquarepark@yahoo.com. If you'd like to come to our monthly board meetings, please contact us for the date and location.

USCC Lauded in New York Times

In a glowing article about returning to his old neighborhood, author Robert Lipsyte celebrated by joining "...the Union Square > Community Coalition, a 23-year-old group whose passionate advocacy has helped change the nabe for the better." Welcome back, Robert.

Holiday Market Biggest Yet

"This year's Holiday Market at Union Square was our largest yet," said market director Eldon Scott. Eldon helps support oursummertime Playground Associate program along with the Union Square Partnership.

New Business Members Join USCC

Paul & Jimmy's Restaurant, Chase Bank's Union Square Branch, North Fork Bank and Olives Restaurant at the W Union Square Hotel have all joined USCC recently. Support the businesses who support us!

Ongoing Projects:

14th Street Tree Grates, Seating at Mother and Children Fountain, New Landmarks & Signage Control The Coalition has several projects in progress which we'd like some more active help with. If you're interested, please contact us. Call Jack Taylor at > 212-475-2850 regarding landmarks, zoning and signage.

Dues Are Our #1 Means of Funding

USCC's programs depend on your membership dues. Please send in your check for us to continue our good work. We can't do it without you! Please see application below for different membership levels. USCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is eligible for corporate matching gifts. Thank you.
USCC, a non-profit group founded in 1980, advocates for sound planning and preservation for Union Square Park and its environs. Last year USCC sponsored a community forum, a free children's carnival and contributed to Park maintenance and beautification.

This year USCC will be working with the 14th St. BID and Parks Dept. toward improving the north end of the Park which now includes the playgrounds, Greenmarket space and restaurant. Please join us in making Union Square Park meet the needs of our community. Make your check payable to USCC and return it with this application to: USCC, P.O. Box 71, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276 Our e-mail address is: unionsquarepark@yahoo.com Name

_____________________________________________________ Address Apt. #

_____________________________________________________ City, State Zip

_____________________________________________________Telephone

_____________________________________________________E-mail

____Individual ($25) ____Student and Senior Citizen ($10) ____Household ($40) ____Business, Organization, Institution ($75) ____Sponsor $100 ____Patron ($250) ____Benefactor ($500) ______Company matching grant

I am interested in helping with the following (check as many as you wish):
____Activities and Events ____Clerical Work ____Dog Run ____Fundraising ____Greenmarket ____Historic Preservation and Landmarking ____Membership Development ____Park Design ____Playgrounds ____Public Relations ____Transportation ____Zoning and Planning ____Other