Abingdon Square

Abingdon Square is a small public park located in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Established in 1831, it is one of New York's oldest parks, occupying 0.25 acres (1,000 square meters) at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Hudson Street, and West 12th Street.

The park's trapezoidal shape is a result of the irregular street grid in this part of Greenwich Village. It was named after Charlotte Warren, who married the 4th Earl of Abingdon and received the land as part of her dowry in the mid-18th century. Notably, Abingdon Square is one of the few public spaces in New York City that retained its British-associated name after the Revolutionary War.

In the 1880s, the park underwent a redesign led by prominent landscape architects Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons Jr. The current layout, inspired by their original design, features a central oval lawn surrounded by winding bluestone paths. The park's Victorian character is enhanced by decorative iron light poles, entrance urns, and trash receptacles.

A significant feature of Abingdon Square is the World War I memorial, also known as the Abingdon Square Doughboy. This bronze statue, created by sculptor Philip Martiny, was dedicated in 1921 and depicts a soldier defending the American flag. The statue faces south, positioned near the park's southern entrance.

Today, Abingdon Square serves as a peaceful oasis in the bustling West Village. It is maintained through a partnership between the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Abingdon Square Conservancy, a community-based organization that supports the park's upkeep and seasonal plantings.