Review Highlights
“A 100% real slice of Chinese culture in Manhattan's Chinatown, and a good destination for your Dim Sum post-prandial walk.” in 33 reviews
“There were street musicians here, senior citizens playing cards, people doing tai chi, plenty of shade and seating.” in 10 reviews
“The few scattered tables are unseen, hidden under crowds of OG spectators hovering over Chinese Chess games.” in 7 reviews
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- May 19, 2024
A little park just on the south side of Chinatown's Mulberry street near the courthouses, the elderly gather here for tai-chi, music, there's a playground on the south end and some basketball courts for the locals. A place where people grab a seat and eat their cheap box of dumplings from the Fried Dumpling stop on 106 Mosco St.
It's said that you can see a lot of rats in the park after dark... haven't been myself, but not surprised given the trash that sometimes piles up in the neighborhood with the grocery, fish, and other stores. But over the course of the day it looks nice and is a breath of green space in the city.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 5000398176056Sep 16, 2022
Columbus Park formerly known as Mulberry Bend Park, Five Points Park and Paradise Park, is a public park in Chinatown. The park was built in 1897. During the 19th century this was the most dangerous ghetto area of immigrant New York. It was portrayed in the book and film Gangs of New York. Back then the park site was part of the Five Points neighborhood, in the area known as Mulberry Bend. It was renamed Columbus Park in 1911 in honor of Christopher Columbus.
The park serves as a gathering place for the local Chinese community. The neighborhood residents meet here to play mahjong, perform traditional Chinese music, and practice tai chi in the early mornings. I saw all of this going on during my visit. I didn't stay long as I was on my way to find the Statue of Confucius. Besides, one man started calling me a name I won't mention. I didn't feel welcome. I'm not going to hold that against this beautiful park.Helpful 50Thanks 0Love this 44Oh no 0 - Jun 17, 2022
My number 1 spot to just come and do nothing. Or bring my granddaughter to for a little run in the grass scenery fun.. There is no playground of swings. The kids get to use their imagination for fun. But at sunset or sunrise you will get a beautiful photo from it all ways.
Helpful 23Thanks 0Love this 23Oh no 0 - Apr 22, 2021
Such a great little park right in Chinatown.
On any given day you'll find many of the area elders playing Chinese checkers on the tables here. It can get pretty crowded with people watching the intense matches.
Plenty of benches to sit at under the shade trees. Musicians and cultural events can be seen and heard here. Basketball court next door. Terrific spot to people watch. There are bathrooms here too.Helpful 12Thanks 0Love this 9Oh no 0 - Feb 26, 2022
Super sketchy park in Manhattan Chinatown. Bathrooms that are known for being filthy were closed while I was in in February 2022.
Park has a few basketball courts but the pavilion area has your typical vagrants begging for money on the benches and then around the rest of the pavilion were TONS of people gambling with umbrellas up as windbreaks.
This isn't a place I'd go out of my way to visit if I was sightseeing.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 1296150013643Jun 25, 2020
The Columbus Park is located in Chinatown with plenty of trees, benches and open space. However, It was kind of crowded and the maintenance wasn't too good.
There was lots of trash and the smell was terrible. We tried to have our take out there since dining in was not allowed during COVID-19, but the environment was too gross to eat. We ended up having our lunch in the car.
It would be good to take a short walk but we won't recommend to stay long there.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 732862302Nov 11, 2021
I passed by this park many times in my life but never really realized the necessity of this small piece of open green space for the Chinatown residents. The park is located in the heart of Chinatown. It's a very old park recently renovated a few years back. This was the location depicted in the Gangs of New York movie. The park is multi-sectional consisting a bench area, children playground, basketball court, and open soccer field. The park is not the cleanest but neither is Chinatown. An abundance of elderly do use this park on a daily basis for activities such as playing board games, singing, playing traditional Chinese music, dancing, and exercises. Many people also eat at the park especially during lunch time but trying to avoiding the cigarette smoke can be a problem. Majority Asians love to smoke. Overall there is a sense of beauty and culture in this small park if one takes the time to appreciate it.
Helpful 7Thanks 0Love this 9Oh no 0 - Sonia P.Hoboken, NJ14147543Aug 3, 2022
Well frequented neighborhood park with a lot of serious card games in progress. In the middle of Chinatown and it seems to be the local hangout spot for the older crowd. Local Chinese singing accompanied by traditional string instruments and umbrellas put up by the locals makes for a cozy scene.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Kate B.Atlanta, GA24368Dec 11, 2022
I find the park vibrant with lots of places to sit and play . It is a local hangout for people of the community; lots of chess and mah jong playing in the front of the park , ladies chatting with their grocery carts . It's clean as NY parks go . It's got BB courts and a field for soccer . I love the area and have come upon this park often .
Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0
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