Foley Square, a historically significant area nestled among Manhattan’s iconic public institutions, is currently marred by neglect. The square, known for its public art, is suffering from damages, including broken street lamps and hazardous pavement conditions.
This city-managed green space, which has witnessed numerous high-profile protests such as Occupy Wall Street and anti-ICE rallies, received an “unacceptable” rating in last year’s city audit. This is a stark contrast to its previously favorable evaluations, and even officials from the Mamdani administration acknowledge the ongoing deterioration months later.
“We recognize the need for upgrades in this park and are actively seeking solutions for its restoration,” a representative from the city Parks Department recently informed The Post.
Local residents and visitors echo these concerns as they contend with the square’s dilapidated state, surrounded by municipal buildings and state and federal courthouses.
“It needs a lot of improvement,” remarked Alex, a 26-year-old dog walker from Manhattan, highlighting the litter, animal waste, and missing pavement chunks from the square’s sun-shaped mosaic walkway.
During a recent visit by The Post, an improvised trash can made from a steel oil drum was overflowing with garbage, while several NYPD barriers lay overturned, and street lamps remained non-functional at night.
The public site’s apparent neglect has led to several fellow dog-walkers tripping and “bust[ing] their face open” because of the uneven ground, Alex said.
“Kids can trip and fall, dogs can step on glass if the walkers aren’t paying attention,” she said.
“Things like that are very dangerous, especially since this is supposed to be clean [and] safe for the public.”
The Parks representative said department employees work to regularly clean up Foley Square, including during scheduled trash removals twice a day.
The entire site was last renovated with an $18 million facelift in 2000, complete with upgraded pavements, new benches, improved fountain drainage, enhanced lighting and plantings, the agency said.
The square, named after Tammany Hall-era district leader Thomas Foley, also contains Thomas Paine Park, which has racked up a handful of similar litter, sidewalk and homeless assistance complaints in recent years, according to 311 complaint data.
The plaza has been the site of raucous Occupy Wall Street rallies as well as protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline and the police-involved death of Staten Island dad Eric Garner.
Last summer, the square played host to a massive anti-ICE protest that saw over 80 protesters arrested.
At least some New Yorkers say the increased attention to the area from the protests has only spotlighted the negligent conditions, not exacerbated it.
“[The protests] actually bring more recognition to the park because when people see it they’re like, ‘Hey what’s going on over there?’ ” Alex said.
Parks only started to dole out “unacceptable” ratings to Thomas Paine Park in June, when the site’s cleanliness and overall condition were described as “unacceptable” because of graffiti and weeds.
Some New Yorkers say the square has fallen into even worse disrepair since.
“A few months ago, it didn’t look like this,” said city resident Omahira Arce, who was visiting the Civic Center area with her daughter last week. “When I was a kid, this didn’t look like this.
“Somebody could trip and fall,” the 41-year-old said, pointing to the broken pavement under her feet. “That’s a lawsuit.”
Arce’s 23-year-old daughter Sanaya said, “There should be a lot more effort” to repair the plaza “or at least enthusiasm about getting it done.”
