On April 15, 2025, New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined with other critical stakeholders to celebrate the reopening of the Tompkins Square Park Fieldhouse. This $5.6 million project was funded by the Mayor’s Office.
The project included renovations of four public restrooms and the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The public restroom upgrades are the result of the New York City Parks “Better Bathrooms” Initiative. The initiative targets the creation of 46 new restrooms and the renovation of 36 existing ones. New constructions are allocated as follows: ten in the Bronx, seven on Staten Island, 23 in Brooklyn, 28 in Manhattan, and 14 in Queens, adding to the city’s approximately 1,000 public restrooms. Renovations to the existing facilities will include various enhancements, such as more stalls, improved accessibility, and energy-efficient features.
To improve accessibility, the Parks Department redesigned interior layouts, added new entryways, and installed ADA-compliant ramps. The first aid room, lifeguards’ locker rooms, and the City Parks staff area, were also renovated.
In addition, the area on the north side of the building now includes brightly painted games for children, picnic and ping-pong tables, benches, and decorative plantings.
New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said, “This newly renovated field house will ensure that Tompkins Square Park can remain a vital hub for the East Village community for years to come. By modernizing the public restrooms, ensuring accessibility, upgrading the building’s infrastructure, and creating a more functional space for park operations, we are making crucial improvements to this beloved local landmark. This project is a testament to our dedication to making our parks more inclusive, and it’s a great example of how our parks and public spaces make our neighborhoods more engaging, accessible, and livable.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)