Although much of the architecture of Gramercy has changed over time, a few 19th century townhouses still survive around the tranquil private park. Today Gramercy Park remains New York City's only private park.
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Gramercy Park is considered the unofficial front yard of the 39 buildings surrounding it. According to The New York Times, each building pays a yearly assessment fee of $7,500, which grants them two keys (buildings with more lots get more keys). Fear of having key privileges rescinded keeps the payments coming in.
In the center of Manhattan, Gramercy Park is a tiny, affluent community that is bounded by 14th Street to the south, 23rd Street to the north, Park Avenue South to the west, and First Avenue to the east.
Since its gates were first locked in 1844, Gramercy Park has been accessible only to those who own a key. Those who live in its 39 surrounding townhouses, apartment buildings, and clubs hold the park in common.
Established in 1634, Boston Common is America's oldest public park. Puritan colonists purchased the land rights to the Common's 44 acres from the first European settler of the area, Anglican minister William Blackstone.
Spread over two acres on the east side of Manhattan is Gramercy Park, one of only two private parks in New York City. (The other is in Sunnyside, Queens.) Few parts of New York represent wealth and exclusivity quite like this spot, which famously requires a key to enter.
Where do rich people park their cars in NYC? They either pay for a parking spot in their building's garage, or a garage nearby. Or if they own a private townhouse, some of those have their own private garage but those are rare.
Located in the farthest reaches of the Bronx, Pelham Bay is New York City's largest public park. It's 2,772 acres, more than three times the size of Central Park. The entire area, with miles of hiking trails and bridle paths, takes hours to explore.