What makes Grand Army Plaza (Manhattan-NY) a successful garden (or not successful)?
Introduction
The Manhattan Grand army plaza is situated on Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. The plaza bears the name grand as it was named for the Grand Army of the Potomac which was the name of the Union Army during the American Civil war. The plaza was completed in 1916. It has an oval shape which is bisected by the 59th Street. (Louie, 1990) The southern part of this plaza is squeezed in between the Plaza Hotel and the General Motors building whereas the northern part is a cutout of central park. The plaza can be considered a successful garden because of the message that it carries (message of peace). The high number of visitors who visit the garden on a daily basis is also a sign of its success. Manhattan Grand Army plaza is more of a garden as we can see that during spring, the Grand Plaza is resplendent with the blooms of the Bradford Clallery pear trees that line the plaza. During the summer months there are tulips which bloom in the garden. (Goldberger, 2009)
Design and significance to the Street and the City
Visitors are able to view a gilded bronze statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman who is accredited for ending the civil war. The general is preceded by a symbolic figure which represents peace. At the edge of the northern half, there is the Lombard Lamp and the base has ornamental cherubs and garlands. On the southern half is the Pulitzer Memorial Fountain. At the highest point of the fountain there is the statue of the Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards. The statue is a symbol of abundance. The design of the plaza and the statues attract visitors into the City thus earning revenue. The symbolic statues in the plaza also have a message to pass which has made the city residents embrace peace. (Kenneth, 1995)
Work Cited List
1. Kenneth T. Jackson: The Encyclopedia of New York City: The New York Historical Society; Yale University Press; 1995. P. 497-498.
2. Louie, Elaine. Currents; Grand Army Plaza’s Rather Grand History. New York Times. 1990
3. Goldberger, Paul "Review/Architecture; A Restored Grand Army Plaza, With a New Coat for the General". New York Times. 2009
