08/14/03

A former swamp is now the swankiest-and most private-green spot in town.

by Sandra Ramani

Overview
Originally named Crommessie ("crooked little knife" in Dutch,) this property was owned by Peter Stuyvesant, freed slave Frans Bastiansen and NYC mayor James Duane before lawyer-developer Samuel Ruggles snapped it up in 1831. Though few wanted to live this far north back then, Ruggles forged ahead with his vision, draining the swamp and laying out adjacent Irving Place and Lexington Avenue. By the late 1800's, Gramercy was a popular place for an evening stroll, and soon surrounded by lovely townhouses and brownstones.

Features and Attractions
Just as Ruggles's deed of 1831 decrees, the 42-lot park still collectively belongs to the homeowners who overlook it. Only residents of the surrounding buildings are granted the coveted golden keys; the rest of us must sneak peaks through the cast iron bars. Those on the inside are privy to one of the prettiest parks in town, boasting elm, chestnut and willow trees, lilacs, roses and herbaceous borders.