With Phase 1 of the park’s capital renovation mostly completed, the construction fence has been removed. Dag Plaza will be open to the public until late 2026 when the park will be closed for Phase 2 painting of metal fixtures, repaving of selected sections, garden and bench restoration.
At a site meeting with Park officials on August 29, we added our concerns to Parks’ list of items still to be addressed. The use of heavy machinery and piling of debris took its toll on plantings when electrical wires were buried along the retaining wall, trenches dug for water lines, and footings installed for the pipe rail fence along the seating wall. Park officials agreed to apply mulch to cover the bare soil.
The gates to footpath of Katharine Hepburn Garden will likely be closed due to safety and maintenance issues during the meeting of UN General Assembly (UNGA). Overgrown shrubs block passage and a general clean-up is in order. On the plaza, pressure washing by Parks will remove residual dirt and brighten up the pavers. We’re told that all the water outlets on the plaza are working.
The fountains require mechanical adjustments.
Restored and Improved Infrastructure
- New artistic lighting on the sculpture platform near entrance dome illuminates art exhibits.
- Sculpture Platform/Garden Entrace: A second entrance gate to the naturalized garden opens onto an small ADA compliant patio with two benches.
- A new hand rail on steps to sculpture platform improves safety.
- New asphalt pavers replaced worn and sunken pavers in selected areas.
- Masonry repairs restored the seating wall and fountain basins.
- New masonry replaced cobblestone of raised platform and steps behind cafe where the original garden gate provides access to Katharine Hepburn Garden.
- An attractive pipe-rail fence along the seating wall replaced mesh fencing.
- Electrical lines have been buried to comply with safety codes.
Parks’ Daffodil Project℠ has planted 7.5 million daffodils bulbs across NYC as a living memorial to the victims of 9/11. We will be planting a wide array of spring-blooming flower bulbs and raking leaves. Stay tuned for sign-up announcements.
Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501c3 organization. Office: 224 E. 47 St.
Rm. 304, NYC 10017. Email: fdhp@hammarskjoldplaza.org ~ website: dagplaza.org
