{"id":236718,"date":"2025-09-18T16:02:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T16:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/236718\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T16:02:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T16:02:20","slug":"6-interesting-secrets-of-nycs-union-square-from-historical-fun-facts-to-transit-marvels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/236718\/","title":{"rendered":"6 interesting secrets of NYC\u2019s Union Square, from historical fun facts to transit marvels"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that Union Square is one of the buzziest neighborhoods<\/a> in Manhattan right now. This bustling neighborhood is home to one of the busiest subway stations in the city, a booming business district and a whole lot of foot traffic.<\/p>\n

But the millions who traverse this neighborhood each year might not be aware of the secrets beneath their feet. From historical facts to transit marvels, here are some of the most interesting fun facts about Union Square.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED: 10 surprising secrets of Washington Square Park<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. It was designed by the same people as Central Park<\/p>\n

Union Square Park has long been a must-visit spot in NYC\u2014even longer than Central Park. Union Square Park first opened in opened in 1839\u00a0and then was\u00a0redesigned in 1872 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same\u00a0team behind Central Park\u2019s beloved landscapes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vaux and Olmsted were charged with executing a new vision for the park. They removed a fence and hedges that enclosed the space, opening it up to accommodate mass meetings, NYC Parks explains<\/a>. They also planted trees and added an official reviewing stand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A
\nPhotograph: By Sean Mackell, NYC CLC <\/p>\n

2. It was home to the first Labor Day Parade\u00a0<\/p>\n

That redesign turned out to be especially worthwhile, as just 10 years later, Union Square played an important role in the country\u2019s first Labor Day celebration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On September 5, 1882, a crowd of 10,000 workers paraded up Broadway and filed past that very reviewing stand, as NYC Parks documents<\/a>. Shortly thereafter,\u00a0President Grover Cleveland signed legislation\u00a0to make Labor Day a national holiday. Though today\u2019s Labor Day Parade doesn\u2019t march through Union Square anymore, its roots will always be a part of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

3. The park was completely demolished in the 1920s<\/p>\n

So much for that renovation. By 1928, Union Square was completely demolished<\/a> to accommodate a new subway concourse. Above ground, developers straightened park paths,\u00a0built a pavilion and a added a flagpole commemorating the\u00a0150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. The subway platform moves<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re taking the 4, 5, 6, keep an eye out when a train enters the station. As\u00a0the train arrives, you\u2019ll notice a metal grate that automatically moves into place to fill the gap between the train and the platform. The track here is tightly curved, and while that wasn\u2019t a problem when shorter trains first used the station in 1904, it presents a challenge with today\u2019s trains, hence these moving grates (content creator Norberto Brice\u00f1o explains the history in a fascinating video here<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\nPhotograph: By rblfmr \/ Shutterstock <\/p>\n

5. That big clock has an important message<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered about the massive digital clock in Union Square, here\u2019s the backstory: It started in 1999 as a public artwork called Metronome<\/a> counting down the hours, minutes and seconds in a day. Then, as of\u00a0September 19, 2020, the clock changed to a new piece\u00a0showing exactly how long we have to act to prevent the worst effects of climate change from becoming\u00a0irreversible, per Climate Clock\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It measures in at 80 feet across and towers four stories above Union Square with a stark orange display meant to remind us of the urgent need for climate action.\u00a0<\/p>\n

6. It\u2019s home to a temperance sculpture<\/p>\n

On the west side of the park, look for a 19-foot sculpture<\/a> of a woman with two children. One\u00a0child helps her carry a jug of water while they look lovingly at one another. The fountain, while beautiful, contains a deeper message: It was\u00a0intended to teach a lesson about religion and the temperance movement, which urged\u00a0moderation in alcoholic consumption and eventually prohibition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dating back to 1881, this is\u00a0one of the oldest sculptures in New York City\u2019s park system\u2014and among the few remaining temperance\u00a0fountains in the nation. Though it\u2019s no longer a working drinking fountain, it\u2019s a fascinating historical artifact and a beautiful art piece.<\/p>\n