New York University has pledged $6 million over four years to the Washington Square Park Conservancy, a commitment the conservancy says doubles the university's financial support for the park. The announcement, dated October 13, 2026, directs the money toward maintenance, day-to-day operations and public events in the 9.75-acre park, which the conservancy says draws more than 12 million visits a year.

NYU said the larger contribution is possible in part because of philanthropic support. The university has helped fund the park's renovation, maintenance and operations for more than two decades.

Who Runs the Park

The Washington Square Park Conservancy was started in 2012 by neighborhood residents. In 2025 it became the official nonprofit partner of NYC Parks for the park, working alongside the city on care of the lawns, plantings, fountain plaza and programming. Its executive director, Will Morrison, also serves as the NYC Parks administrator for Washington Square Park.

A conservancy partnership like this one is a common model in New York: the city owns and oversees the park, while a nonprofit raises private money for extra gardening, cleaning and free programming that sits on top of the city's baseline budget.

What NYU Already Supports

The announcement lists several programs in the park that NYU already backs, which give residents a sense of where the money goes:

  • Park Open Studio: NYU helped expand this artist residency last year. Local working artists lead free workshops in drawing, printmaking, collage and watercolor three days a week in Scrabble Plaza, the park's northwest corner.
  • Volunteer days: NYU funds extra cleanup days for students, faculty and staff.
  • Student film shoots: The university coordinates Tisch School of the Arts shoots in the park with NYC Parks.
  • Children's Halloween Parade: The conservancy sponsors this event, organized by NYU and Manhattan Community Board 2, which has been held in the park for more than three decades.
  • Alumni movie night: An annual fall screening for NYU graduates.

What Is On in the Park This Week

The conservancy runs a calendar of free programs that started in May and continues into the fall. Three sessions are listed for this week, all free with no registration:

  • Pétanque on Mondays: Monday, October 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Bodyroll: Tuesday, October 20, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Garibaldi Plaza. Viva Soudan leads a dance practice that mixes energetic movement with emotional release. No experience needed.
  • Pétanque on Wednesdays: Wednesday, October 21, noon to 3 p.m., at the park's pétanque courts. Players from the city's oldest continuously running pétanque club teach the French lawn bowling game and supply the boules. No experience needed.

Pétanque is played by tossing hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden target ball called the cochonnet. Players take turns from a circle drawn on the ground, and the team with the ball nearest the target scores. The Wednesday session falls over the lunch hour, and because the boules are provided, newcomers need only show up at the courts.

How to Go and Get Involved

Where: Washington Square Park, bounded by Washington Square North, South, East and West at the foot of Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village.

Subway: The A, B, C, D, E, F and M trains stop at West 4th Street/Washington Square, one block west of the park. The N, R and W at 8th Street/NYU and the 6 at Astor Place are a short walk east.

Programs: The conservancy posts its full calendar of free events, including any weather changes, at washingtonsqpark.org.

Support: Residents who want to contribute time or money can reach the conservancy at hello@washingtonsqpark.org.

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