Washington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York City's public parks - a landmark in the Greenwich Village neighborhood.  Like "the Village", this open space also has a tradition of nonconformity.

In 1889, to celebrate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration as president, a large plaster and wood Memorial Arch was erected over Fifth Avenue, just north of the park.  The temporary plaster and wood arch was so popular that in 1892 a permanent arch, designed by Stanford White, was erected in the park.  The arch is 77 feet tall.  (During the excavations for the eastern leg of the arch, human remains, a coffin and a gravestone dated 1803 were uncovered.)  White modeled the arch after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 

While the park contains many flower beds and trees, little of the park is actually used for plantings due to the paving.  The two prominent features are Washington's Arch, and a huge fountain behind the fountain.  In 1918 two statues of George Washington were added to the north side of the arch - one as general and the other as president.  Cars were allowed to drive through the arch until 1971, when the Washington Square was redesigned by Robert Nichols.

In the 80s the square was particularly dangerous, as it had become a drug dealing center.  Since the 90s, after an extensive renovation, the park has become a relatively safe area.