Monday, October 8, 2012

Piece of Washington Square Park Arch Falls




A chunk from the marble and limestone arch in Washington Square Park fell sometime overnight and landed on the North Western side of 73 foot high monument.  The accident left white residue on the sidewalk. A large piece of stone was recovered. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

A chunk of the famed Washington Square Park Arch monument fell from the 73 foot high Arch, NYC Park Advocates has learned.  

The large piece - approximately six inches by 10 inches — came crashing down and landed on the sidewalk sometime overnight according to a park worker. 

"It was pretty big,"  said a park worker who saw the stone.

"Luckly it didn't hit anybody."





A park supervisor has secured the piece and was awaiting an employee from the agency's small monument division to respond according to a parks source.

The arch recently underwent a $ 3 million dollar restoration in 2006.

The Parks Department's press office refused to respond to a request for information.

The Tuckahoe Marble and limestone arch — designed by Stanford White, of Mckim Mead & White fame  - was dedicated in 1895 originally to celebrate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration.  

At the rededication ceremony, Mayor Bloomberg called the Arch, "one of New York's most famous landmarks."




Read/View More:

CBS -  October 8, 2012

NY1 News -  October 9, 2012

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