Our Work in Union Square Park
Through a successful public/private partnership with the City's Department of Parks & Recreation, the Union Square Partnership coordinates closely with the agency to set benchmarks to meet the growing demands of Union Square Park. In addition to the North End Project, USP's largest capital project to date, the organization makes a series of targeted investments for the upgrading, maintenance and beautification of the park on an annual basis. Our work is made possible through the generous contributions of the residents and businesses who live and work in the district.
Wi-Fi Sponsored by USP
USP has upgraded our free Wi-Fi system in the park, a wide-ranging public network for use of laptops, iPhones, and other wireless devices. This new "unionsquarewifi" network allows fast and easy access to the web for over 250 simultaneous users, and contains a portal page showcasing local happenings in the area. The Wi-Fi Hot Zone, one of the most comprehensive in the country, covers the entire park and along the surrounding side streets.
Beautifying the Park
Other highlights this year include the reseeding of the center, eastern and southern lawns of the 3.5-acre park and the installation of a new irrigation system. The Partnership's landscaping team has conducted regular soil aeration, fertilizing and maintenance to ensure the lawn stays green and lush. In addition, more than 200 ornamental shrubs, 380 perennials, 1,000 annuals and 12,000 bulbs were planted to ensure the park is at its most vibrant throughout the seasons. Throughout the year, USP funds a gardener to assist with the maintenance of the plants and shrubs, and in the summer, a playground associate to program activities for children in the park's playgrounds.
Keeping the Park Green, Clean & Safe
In response to increased foot traffic during the summer months, the Partnership maintains a special Park Task Force from April through October. This five-person sanitation team cleans the park exclusively, supplementing our regular sanitation efforts and those of the City's Department of Parks & Recreation and Sanitation. The Union Square Partnership also provides year-round extermination services for the park, and a series of other maintenance efforts such as power washing of trash cans and painting of park benches and railings.
In addition to our Public Safety Officers who patrol the park daily, the Partnership funds an additional daytime Parks Enforcement Patrol Officer and in the evenings, Department of Parks has assigned a PEP Officer who patrols in tandem with a Union Square Partnership Public Safety Officer to ensure the park is safe during operating hours.
