Living with Legends

            Finally, Ian Schrager does something right!  It seems the rich elitists who enjoy exclusive use of Gramercy Park are incensed at poor Ian for giving his Gramercy Hotel guests keys to their protected

enclave.  Aside from the obvious sin of allowing strangers into the idyllic retreat, it seems that these hotel guests don’t fully appreciate the necessity of keeping the gate firmly locked.  Anyone with half a brain can see the necessity of such a measure: after all, who knows what rabble might wander in off the street!

            Why does this place exist anyway?  Every time I go by there I hardly see a soul inside, and even on it’s busiest days there’s rarely more than a handful of people using it.  They claim that it’s private property, but the land is actually owned in common by the people lucky enough to live nearby and have a key.  Imagine that!  In New York City!  Free market capital of the world!  Go live in Red China, you damn commies!

            Furthermore, they’re not paying any property taxes on this highly desirable tract of land.  If they were, you can bet they’d be in favor of opening it up to the public.

            Obviously, there are some very influential people with keys to this park, and it won’t be easy to pry those keys away from them.  But I’m amazed that there’s not more of a public outcry.  At a minimum, the issues surrounding Gramercy Park need to be reexamined.  Offer the “owners” compensation if need be,  but with park space at a premium, the city needs to seize this tract and turn it over to the public.  — Ed H.