NYU doubles its Washington Square Park pledge to $6 million over four years

New York University is doubling the money it puts into Washington Square Park. The university announced Sunday that it will give $6 million over four years to the Washington Square Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that helps NYC Parks run the square at the foot of Fifth Avenue, according to an NYU announcement.

NYU, which amNewYork notes has long considered the park its unofficial campus quad because so many of its buildings surround it, says it has helped pay for the park's renovation, maintenance and operations for more than 20 years. The university said the bigger gift comes from targeted savings and philanthropic fundraising.

Where the money goes

The funds can pay for Parks Department staff, including maintenance and operations workers, horticulture and the park's enforcement team, and could help expand the number of lawns restored through the seasons, amNewYork reported. NYU said the Conservancy will steer the gift toward safety and quality of life, more public events and ongoing maintenance.

Will Morrison, the Conservancy's executive director, is also the NYC Parks administrator for Washington Square Park. He told amNewYork that the gift lets the Conservancy and the Parks Department assess the park's needs each year and "point the funds where they're needed most." Arlene Peralta, NYU's assistant vice president for community engagement, sits on the Conservancy's board.

Programs and the task force

The Conservancy was founded in 2012 and became NYC Parks' official nonprofit partner for the park in 2025, NYU said. Last year the university helped expand the Conservancy's Park Open Studio, which brings working artists in to teach free drawing, printmaking, collage and watercolor workshops three days a week at Scrabble Plaza in the park's northwest corner. The Conservancy also sponsors the annual Children's Halloween Parade that NYU and Community Board 2 have hosted for more than three decades.

In March 2025, NYU became a founding member of the Village Interagency Task Force, a group of city agencies, the Manhattan District Attorney's office, social service nonprofits, elected officials and local stakeholders. It formed after advocacy by the 6th Precinct Community Council and in response to quality-of-life complaints around the park. NYU said the new money will build on the task force's work.

Reaction

Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura thanked NYU for its continued commitment. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal called NYU the park's "primary institutional user" and said the university has a special responsibility for its upkeep. Valerie De La Rosa, who chairs Community Board 2, said the board will keep pushing to preserve the park's historic character and to give the community a real say in how it is run.