Noticing: Public Spaces of the Financial District — TGIF Edition (Group Walk)
This matinee edition of Noticing: Public Spaces of the Financial District (FiDi) offers a chance to see the neighborhood at its most alive, when the city is in full motion. This is a collective exploration of one of Manhattan’s oldest and most enigmatic neighborhoods. Within its maze of narrow streets lie green spaces, arcades, Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), plazas, and clocks tucked into unexpected corners. Along the way, we’ll consider the character of the Financial District itself: why the streets feel so irregular, why the neighborhood seems darker than the rest of the city, and how its layered history continues to shape the present. Attendees are guaranteed to leave with a new appreciation of Manhattan’s FiDi.
This walk encourages attendees to develop a deeper awareness of their surroundings, learn about local history, and even make new friends. Be prepared to look around, pay attention, and discuss your findings.
Duration: 3 hrs | Distance: 4 miles
Location: This walk begins at Bowling Green Park, a short walk from the Bowling Green 4 and 5 trains.
Materials: Cameras, field recorders, notebooks, pencils, portable scanners, etc. are encouraged, but not required. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and bring plenty of water!
Price: This walk operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. There is a $5 fee to book your spot. At the end of the walk, you can pay whatever you feel the walk was worth (cash or card both accepted). Most participants choose to pay between $30-$50 per person.
About Alex Wolfe is a writer and artist from Iowa. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, and his work is held in the collections of the New York Public Library and the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection. He has led workshops and guest lectured for Princeton University, the Swiss Institute, the Municipal Art Society of New York, and Parsons School of Design. He writes the newsletter Pedestrian and is currently at work on his debut novel, Repeater.