Low-Key West Village Spots To Spend Time Outside On Memorial Day

WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN —This Memorial Day in New York City will look a lot different from years past due to social distancing measures in place to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. City beaches are closed, NYPD officers are being deployed to crack down on large gatherings and everyone outside should be wearing a mask.

With warm weather and partly cloudy skies in the forecast for Memorial Day, many New Yorkers will likely want to spend the holiday outside.

Hotspots such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Promenade are mobbed with New Yorkers trying to escape the confines of their apartments, making it difficult to maintain a safe social distance. Patch compiled a list of some low-key places in Washington Heights and Inwood where it may be easier to enjoy the outdoors this Memorial Day without running into large crowds.

Check some of Patch's suggestions out below:

Nearby Open Streets

New York City is working to pedestrianize 100 miles of city streets across the five boroughs to help residents spend time outside while safely social distancing. Though not specifically in the West Village, three streets in the Meatpacking District recently were added to the initiative.

Each of these streets will be open to pedestrians and cyclists and closed down to cars, except for emergency vehicles and deliveries. Though some are smaller stretches than others, they can each provide some extra space for a walk or a bike ride.

Here's where they are:

• West 17th Street from 10th Avenue to Eighth Avenue, about .33 miles
• West 13th Street from Ninth Avenue to Washington Street, about .13 miles
• Little West 12th Street from Ninth Avenue to Washington Street, about .09 miles

James J. Walker Park

A more low-key option not likely to garner the same crowds as Washington Square Park or Hudson Square Park. James. J. Walker Park is found between Hudson Street, St. Luke's Place, Clarkson Street and Seventh Avenue.

You may not be able to join in a game of handball on the courts or head to the playground — since all New York City playgrounds have been closed — but sitting on a bench at the park could still provide a shady, peaceful spot to read a book or eat some lunch.

Abingdon Square Park

Near Hudson and West 12th Street, this slice of greenery includes a garden-like lawn at its center and the Abingdon Square Memorial, which was dedicated in 1921.

At only .25 acres, it might be too small to maintain social distancing if it gets crowded, but on quieter days it should offer a nice place to get some fresh air.

Jackson Square Park

One of the city's oldest parks, Jackson Square Park offers another small green space near Eighth Avenue, Horatio Street and Greenwich Avenue.

The park is about .23 acres and includes plenty of greenery. It also includes benches and a picturesque 8-by-13-foot fountain. There is a Citi Bike station found right outside its gates for those that would like to stop by on a weekend bike ride.

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