Community Survey: Washington Square Park Gates*
Share your views on the idea of installing gates at the park entrances
*This is a short, non-scientific community survey. It does not advocate for or against gates, and it is not a vote or scientific poll.
The Washington Square Association is launching Washington Square Voices, a new initiative and series of community surveys to build robust, data-driven community input into major decisions affecting the park and surrounding neighborhood. This first survey is intended to understand current views on the idea of installing gates at the entrances to Washington Square Park.
Background
Community Board 2’s Parks and Waterfront Committee has recently been discussing the idea of requesting a proposal for gates at the park entrances, along with other options, from NYC Parks. There is no detailed proposal about gates on the table at this time, but we believe it is important to hear from neighbors and other park users early in the process.
The Association participated in the committee’s May 6 meeting (NY1 Interview, remarks to CB2 Parks) and came away recognizing that, to serve the neighborhood well, we need a better understanding of whether and how sentiment on this issue has changed. We also saw an opportunity to use a careful, transparent survey process to build an effective, ongoing pipeline for the community to share perspectives with public officials and other decision-makers.
Note: It is anticipated that Community Board 2 will be voting on the resolution from the Parks Committee at their full meeting on May 21st at 6:30pm: register to attend in person or by Zoom.
about the survey
This is a short, non-scientific community survey. It does not advocate for or against gates, and it is not a vote or a referendum. Our goal is to document how respondents feel now and to share those findings transparently with community members and public officials.
This first snapshot will also help lay the groundwork for future surveys as more detailed proposals on gates or other park and neighborhood issues emerge.
Who can respond
Because Washington Square Park serves nearby neighbors, New Yorkers from across the city, and visitors from around the world, the survey is open to anyone who uses or cares about Washington Square Park, including nearby neighbors, New Yorkers from across the city, and visitors from around the world.
What the survey asks
A few questions about your view on gates.
Optional questions about where you live and how often you visit the park.
Questions that help us understand how views may differ across groups.
The survey should take only a few minutes to complete.
What happens with the results
Once we stop taking responses, we will summarize the results, explain what this kind of open, online survey can and cannot tell us, and share a public report with Community Board 2, NYC Parks, NYPD, City Council Members for Districts 2 and 3, and other decision‑makers.
Looking forward
Washington Square Voices will remain committed to rigorous data integrity, broad community participation, and unbiased reporting to complement formal processes that can’t always capture the full range of perspectives. We hope that you share our excitement about this new opportunity for our neighborhood to participate in important community decisions.
A note on methodology
This is an open, online survey, and participation is voluntary. People who feel strongly about the issue may be more likely to respond, so results reflect only those who choose to participate and are not statistically representative of all park users or neighborhood residents. The findings should be understood as one source of community input, not a formal vote or scientific poll. Any written comments we share publicly will be quoted anonymously and only with respondents’ permission.
Add your voice
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below.