Paley Park

What to know

Paley Park is a pioneering pocket park located at 3 East 53rd Street in Midtown Manhattan. Opened on May 23, 1967, the space was designed by Zion Breen Richardson Associates and commissioned by the William S. Paley Foundation. It serves as a memorial to Samuel Paley, the father of CBS founder William S. Paley, and occupies the former site of the famous Stork Club. Spanning approximately 4,200 square feet, the park is a masterclass in urban design. It is bounded by buildings on three sides and set back from the street, creating a secluded retreat. The space is dominated by a magnificent 20-foot-high waterwall that stretches across the back of the park, providing a captivating visual and auditory experience that mutes the surrounding city noise. Within this small sanctuary, visitors find a grid of 17 honey locust trees that provide dappled shade. The park is furnished with movable wire mesh chairs and marble tables set upon a floor of granite pavers. This thoughtful arrangement allows the space to function as a high-density urban refuge, and it is often cited as one of the finest urban spaces in the United States. Despite its diminutive size, the park is incredibly popular, with reports indicating over 500,000 visitors per year. This makes it the most heavily used park in New York City per square foot. As a prototype for privately owned public spaces, Paley Park has inspired similar vest-pocket park projects across the globe.

Visitor tips

• Visit between 8 AM and 8 PM, Monday through Saturday, as the park is closed on Sundays and national holidays.
• Look for the dedication plaque near the entrance to read the memorial message for Samuel Paley.
• Arrive mid-morning to secure one of the movable wire mesh chairs under the honey locust trees.

Nearby context

Situated on the north side of East 53rd Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues, Paley Park provides a quiet contrast to the high-energy commercial epicenter of Midtown Manhattan.