When They Tore Down Washington Square Park

Why was Washington Square Park demolished? Veteran community activist Sharon Woolums, at sharonwoolums.com, performs "When They Tore Down Washington Square Park," which protests the radical renovation of Greenwich Village's cutltural heart. Sharon's hope is that parts of the park that have not yet gone under the bulldozer can still be saved. It's not too late!

Lyrics: When They Tore Down Washington Square Park

Well they're chopping down the big old trees
Getting rid of the birds and bees
Because the architect said so
Because the architect said so

Then they dug up the moulderin' bones
Piled them up in the Quiet Zone
Because the architect said so
Because the architect said so

Bloomberg, Benape, nobody was ready
When you tore down Washington Square Park

In the fountain they moved away
Where the children all used to play
Is a hole in my heart that cries
For the men who want to privatize

System's corrupt, 'cause the fence is going up
Things get suspicious when you're dealing with the Tisches
Desecration's not a crime, don't you love the redesign?
The decision was made in the dark, when they tore down Washington Square Park

Words written by Steve Baldwin and Sharon Williams, music and production by Steve Baldwin. Copyright 2008 Baldwin/Woolums ASCAP

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Washington
• Square
• Park
• Greenwich
• Village
• New
• York
• NY
• Manhattan
• Bloomberg
• Benepe
• Sharon
• Woolums
• Parks
• Department
• NYU
• Tisch

[brooklynparrot]

The main weapon that the shadowy people have used to achieve their goals with WSP has been secrecy. I don't know all the details but plans were withheld from the community until the very last minute. Perhaps there are plans to put private concessions into WSP, just like the popular and lucrative "Shake Shack" in Madison Square Park. After all, money rules what happens in Manhattan. Follow the money and you'll see why this happened.

[attikaland]

I found your website, thanks for what you are doing for Washington Square park. Your singing voice was is beautiful. I like very much also the attuned and distinguished way you represent all those complex, deep and difficult feelings around the Park s fate. And the music is lovable too. Congratulations to both of you!

The Park has meant much for me too over the years. It s been the place I felt most "at home" in N Y city. I hope this feeling won t be destroyed.

[seka1986]

There was and is nothing in washington sqaure park that needs to be saved.

[MichaelManners101]

Sad .....and nicely done!<----the video, not the privatizors.

[orooney]

GREAT TUNE>>>

[orooney]

Great tune!!!

[artisthos]

Great video Sharon! Will be in town August 2nd. Will send you an invite. T

[1400deadwood]

I was not aware that NYC has now allowed developers to build up more buildings in WSP. Sad to see a historic place like that screwed up in the interest of money. But it has happened in Coney Island and elsewhere so it should come as no surprise.