Tompkins Square Park’s infamous bathrooms reopen after $5.6M renovation
All photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Daniel Avila
You no longer have to hold your nose when using the bathroom at Tompkins Square Park—at least for now. On Monday, the city’s Parks Department reopened the East Village park’s field house following a two-year, $5.6 million renovation, finally restoring the restrooms after years of being known as some of the filthiest facilities in the five boroughs. The project included a full overhaul of the four bathrooms, with upgrades to the building’s electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, as well as improvements to accessibility and the building’s exterior.
Now, the restrooms sparkle with gleaming porcelain fixtures and recessed heaters to keep things warm during the winter months. Still, it’s fair to wonder how long the shine will last, with some fearing the new commodes could quickly fall back into disrepair.
Park officials insist the bathrooms will be kept under close watch, as NYC Parks Manhattan borough commissioner Tricia Shimamura told Gothamist.
Accessibility improvements were a key part of the field house renovation. Upgrades include redesigned interior layouts, new entryways, and ADA-compliant ramps to make the building fully accessible. The project also modernized essential facilities such as the first aid room, lifeguards’ locker rooms, and the Parks staff area.
The bathrooms will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An area just north of the field house has also reopened with upgrades, including brightly painted children’s games, picnic and ping-pong tables, benches, and decorative plantings. The department has also revamped the Slocum Memorial Fountain, with volunteers helping to further beautify the space.
The project was made possible thanks to $5.6 million in mayoral funding.
“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,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
“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.”
The upgraded bathrooms are part of NYC Parks’ “Better Bathrooms” initiative, one of 10 key investments in the Vital Parks for All framework. Alongside Mayor Eric Adams’ “Ur In Luck” initiative, launched in June, this effort seeks to expand public restroom access across all five boroughs. Over the next five years, the plan includes the construction of 46 new restrooms and the renovation of 36 existing ones.
As part of the initiative, Parks will build 10 new restrooms in the Bronx, seven on Staten Island, 23 in Brooklyn, 28 in Manhattan, and 14 in Queens. Upgrades to existing restrooms will include additional stalls, improved accessibility features, and energy-efficient upgrades.
On Friday, the City Council voted to approve legislation aimed at expanding public restroom access across NYC, with plans to double the current number of facilities from roughly 1,100 to 2,120 over the next decade. Currently, the city has one of the lowest rates of public restrooms per capita in the country, with about one bathroom for every 7,800 residents.
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