Diagram showing the planned and the modern key parks and public squares on the Commissioners’ Plan.
As the New York’s core structure was modified with the Commissioner’s Plan, the form of its content was also tailored to better fit the grid and its economic growth. However, as beneficial as the grid was initially to accommodate the energy of an evolving city, its officials soon realized that the plan contained too little squares, parks, and public areas. The commissioners had come to the conclusion that due to the high land values of the city was not worth compromising distributable land for recreational purposes. They stated that the city’s surrounding rivers were enough in providing fresh air and open space to its citizens. The commissioners retained small spaces that were implemented prior to the plan, such as Bowling Green, the Battery, and City Hall Park, but the only large public spaces that were added were in the northern peak of the island where land was cheaper. Where the city was planned to be more sophisticatedly developed, they included only necessary and essential spaces, such as a military parade ground, a public market, and a location for a future reservoir. As well, to accommodate for the irregular shapes of the junction on Broadway, Bowery Road, and Fourth Avenue, Union Place was created.
The current map however, has a vastly different layout of public spaces compared to that of during the commissioning. Between the 1820’s and the 1840’s, many changes were implemented. It was during this time that the modern, monumental parks – such as Madison Squares and Central park were put into place.
Commissioners' Plan 