The hideous construction fences came down yesterday, and Washington Square park sprung back to life.
New Yorkers streamed back into the famed meeting places for street musicians, loiterers, and oddball characters thrilled that after 18 months of renovation and countless lawsuits the park was once again a park.
“It was in shambles before,” said Frank Lombardi, who has been coming to the park since the early 1960s. “Now it is going to be one of the best parks in the city.”
Prior to the renovation, community groups sued over the construction, which moved the fountain 22 feet over and decreased the size of the public plaza.
Summaiya D’Adamo, 40, said she has come around to the new design.
“At first we were bummed out, but this is awesome,” she said.
Another phase of renovation, which calls for additional landscaping, will begin later this year, Parks officials said.