Where is Columbus Park located?

Columbus Park is located in Chinatown, Manhattan, bounded by Baxter, Worth, Bayard, and Mulberry Streets. It is situated in one of Manhattan's oldest residential areas, adjacent to the Five Points and The Bend.

What is Columbus Park known for?

It is one of New York City's oldest and first major urban parks, originally opened in 1897 as Mulberry Bend Park. It is known as a lively gathering place where people practice tai chi, play basketball, and play card games or Chinese chess.

What facilities and activities are available at the park?

The park features soccer fields, full basketball courts, playgrounds, water fountains, and spray showers. Visitors often engage in five-on-five basketball games and individual tai chi practice.

Yes, the park has playgrounds and offers a free 'Kids in Motion' program led by NYC Parks staff, which provides four to seven hours of active outdoor play.

What is the history of the park's name?

Originally opened in 1897 as Mulberry Bend Park, it has also been known as Five Points Park and Paradise Park. It was renamed Columbus Park in 1911 after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Columbus Park in New York City

Columbus Park

A historic urban oasis in Chinatown, Columbus Park is one of New York City's oldest parks, offering a lively blend of cultural activity and recreational facilities.

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What to know

Columbus Park is situated in the heart of Chinatown, Manhattan, and stands as one of the city's oldest public spaces. First opened in 1897 as Mulberry Bend Park, the site was planned in the 1880s by Calvert Vaux, the co-designer of Central Park. It is bounded by Baxter, Worth, Bayard, and Mulberry Streets, and is located in one of Manhattan's oldest residential areas, adjacent to the infamous Five Points and The Bend. Originally occupying the site of one of 19th-century New York's most infamous slums, the park was renamed Columbus Park in 1911 after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. As one of the city's first major urban parks, it hosted early organized recreational events, such as the Interpark Playground Basket Ball tournament in 1913, where youth were segregated by weight class. Today, the park is a vibrant gathering place for the local community. Visitors can witness representatives from every generation engaging in activities such as individual tai chi practice, five-on-five basketball games, and Chinese chess or card games, often observed by crowds of onlookers. The park has undergone renovations in recent years, adding soccer fields, full basketball courts, playgrounds, water fountains, and spray showers. Near the end of the 20th century, the park's north-end pavilion was restored, and new playground equipment and basketball courts were installed to maintain its role as a community hub. It remains a critical urban green space providing recreation and the preservation of cultural traditions within the heart of Chinatown.

Visitor tips

Visit in the early morning to see local residents practicing tai chi.
Look for the crowds gathered around Chinese chess and card games for a glimpse into local community life.
Allow time to walk through the park to explore the restored north-end pavilion.
Families with children can look for the free Kids in Motion program for outdoor activities.

Nearby context

Columbus Park is located at the southwestern edge of Chinatown, Manhattan, placing it in a historic residential area near the infamous Five Points and The Bend, reflecting the city's early urban development.

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