BP

That would be, Bryant Park, formerly (and briefly) known as Needle Park. My particular interest in the park springs from the fact that its expansive lawn sits on top of the underground stacks of the NY Public Library. I listened for the rumble of conveyor belts, but heard nothing.

I found a free downloadable podcast (for iphone) of a walking tour of the park, narrated by Matthew Broderick. All I know about Matthew Broderick is that he serves as spouse to the much reviled Sarah Jessica Parker. The podcast was great, though, if a bit sappy. He had me walking all over the park, occasionally stopping to block foot traffic, and always looking like a nutcase with earbuds.

The park was once a potter's field, which kind of creeped me out. And during the 70s it was home to prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and homeless folks, but it was cleaned up and gentrified in the 80s.



When I arrived at the park, I inadvertently walked right into the middle of a yoga class. I suppose it would have been hard to avoid because upwards of 100 people were doing, or trying to do, triangle pose on the upper terrace of the park -- my entry point. This is something that even the exhibitionist in me is not tempted to do.