 |
| Structural Steel: Harry Bertoia Side Chair in 1953 |
 |
| Relaxing on a lazy summer morning, Paley Park is a modernist dream come true (image credit Eugene Kuo Photography) |
 |
| Lost in Thought at Paley Park (image credit Violet Kashi) |
 |
| Actor Laurence Fishbourne relaxes in William Paley Park in Midtown Manhattan (image credit Ozier Muhammed, The New York Times) |
 |
| Legends of the Fall (image credit Stanley Newtwon) |
 |
| Paley Park late 1960s (image credit Knoll) |
Paley Park, New York City
One of our favorite modernist parks, even Ludwig Mies van der Rohe would have given his nod of approval. Paley Park is a beautiful modernist pocket park located at 3 East 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan on the former site of the Stork Club. Designed by the landscape architectural firm of Zion & Breen, it opened May 23, 1967. This park was set aside in memory of Samuel Paley, 1875-1963, for the enjoyment of the public. Measuring 4,200 square feet, the park offers a quiet urban oasis in the midst of the bustling city by the careful use of falling water, airy trees, lightweight furniture and simple spatial organization. Key to its success is a 20-foot (6.1 m) high waterfall spanning the entire back of the park. The waterfall creates a backdrop of grey noise to mask the sounds of the city.
