Sherman Square

A Touch of History

Named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman back in 1891, Sherman Square came into being when Broadway cut through Manhattan's Upper West Side at an angle, disrupting the city's neat grid pattern. That quirk of city planning left behind this tiny triangular pocket park at the bustling intersection of Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, and West 70th Street - and a rich story to go with it.

Tiny but Mighty

Don't blink or you might miss it! The actual fenced-in green portion of Sherman Square covers a mere 264 square feet (24.5 square meters) in a quirky scalene triangle shape. This protected green space sits within a larger paved triangle area.

Size-wise, it's as modest as urban parks come - stretching just 17 feet (5.2 meters) along 70th Street, 35 feet (11 meters) facing Broadway, and 30 feet (9.1 meters) along Amsterdam Avenue.

From Notorious to Notable

Sherman Square has seen quite the transformation over the decades. During the 1960s and 70s, it earned an infamous reputation when it and nearby Verdi Square were collectively dubbed "Needle Park" due to rampant drug activity.

This dark chapter even inspired the 1971 film "The Panic in Needle Park". But like many NYC neighborhoods, the area has undergone remarkable revitalization since those troubled days.

Today's Tiny Oasis

Now, Sherman Square provides a small green breathing space in the concrete jungle of the Upper West Side. Though you won't find room for a picnic or a game of frisbee here, it offers a moment of greenery and calm for locals and visitors passing through this hectic intersection.

While tiny in size, the park remains a distinctive landmark in the neighborhood - a reminder of how urban spaces evolve and transform through time.