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Friends of Straus Park is the non-profit organization appointed by New York City with the mission to help maintain the beauty, serenity and facilities of Straus Park, located between 106th – 107th and Broadway in Manhattan. The Park is dedicated to Isidor and Ida Straus and features beautiful flowers and a grove of Gingko trees.

Straus Park is a place where people can enjoy the beauty of three-season flower plantings and surrounding shade trees, while being inspired by a lovely fountain and statue. Visitors can relax and socialize on fine-wood benches, and enjoy a Spring Titanic Memorial event along with music and art events throughout the year.

None of this could be possible, year by year, without the constant support of community members and organizations donating to Friends of Straus Park, or, taking on a volunteer role for the park’s many needs.

Come join us!

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BEATLES TRIBUTE CONCERT MAY 16

Friends of Straus Park will host the first of three concerts this summer, a Beatles tribute concert, on Saturday, May 16th at 1pm. It will feature Strawberry Feels, a Beatles tribute band that is popular in the NYC area. The second concert will be a danceable Latin Jazz event on June 27th at 1pm with Bloomingdale School of Music faculty. The third concert will feature Nicole Haslett, a lively – and popular – singer of show tunes and popular songs. She was a hit last year and returns by popular demand on August 8th at 1pm. She is also a Bloomingdale School of Music faculty member.      

Upcoming Events

View all upcoming events

There are so many ways to experience Straus Park. Each season brings with it a special appreciation of the beauty of nature, opportunities to relax and socialize, special events to enjoy, opportunities to serve the park, and quiet moments to experience this oasis on the Upper West Side.

An Oasis to Enjoy

Special Events

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I welcome everyone to come and enjoy what Straus Park has to offer. It is a jewel of a park that serves the surrounding community. I know you’ll experience the serenity that we all desire in a busy city and much more. Whether they visit for its beauty, events or social space, all are welcome. Friends of Straus Park helps make this park a special place. Your donation or volunteer time will preserve and enhance Straus Park. Come join us.

Virl Andrick, President, Friends of Straus Park
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"I like that there are many benches in the park to site, relax and enjoy nature in the shade of the trees."
Tom Kilkenny
Tom KilkennyVisitor
"I come often and always find this park to be Zen like – a great vibe. I come here before going to work to find a sense of easiness here – a calm. I meet people here to chat occasionally – it’s a community kind of spot."
Curtis Kaplan
Curtis KaplanVisitor
"We are visiting from Chile and strolled in to enjoy a quiet and peaceful lunch here. It’s a beautiful place with tall trees – almost like an island in the midst of the lovely old buildings in the area."
Juan Bustos & Coni Elgueta
Juan Bustos & Coni ElguetaVisitors
"I come here on my lunch break when I’m working. It’s just a very quiet, beautiful oasis in the middle in this part of the city. It’s gorgeous, it’s quiet and I enjoy the flowers as well."
Anna Bachman
Anna BachmanVisitor
"Straus Park is a peaceful, pretty space. I enjoy the greenery and flowers in summer and the colorful leaves in Fall. I either meditate or just look at the park."
Cherise Auston
Cherise AustonVisitor
"It gets me outdoors. I like to enjoy the park by myself. It’s pleasant and well kept."
Philip Williams
Philip WilliamsVisitor
"It’s not a huge space but pretty and conducive to sitting and taking a break from the noise and business around us in the city. We love the flowers and the sculpture of the woman on the memorial is beautiful."
Tiffany Morris & Emmanual Dillon
Tiffany Morris & Emmanual DillonVisitors
"It’s close to my home and it’s beautiful. The flower changes are reflective of the season – especially the tulips in Spring. It’s the garden I don’t have here because I live in an apartment."
Alna
AlnaVisitor
"I’m retired and come four times a week to sit and read. It’s like an enclosed green space. I think it’s wonderful. I have a degree in landscaping architecture and love there are multiple flower plantings throughout the year."
Martha Harris
Martha HarrisVisitor
"I like that there are many benches in the park to site, relax and enjoy nature in the shade of the trees."
Tom KilkennyVisitor
Tom Kilkenny
"I come often and always find this park to be Zen like – a great vibe. I come here before going to work to find a sense of easiness here – a calm. I meet people here to chat occasionally – it’s a community kind of spot."
Curtis KaplanVisitor
Curtis Kaplan
"We are visiting from Chile and strolled in to enjoy a quiet and peaceful lunch here. It’s a beautiful place with tall trees – almost like an island in the midst of the lovely old buildings in the area."
Juan Bustos & Coni ElguetaVisitors
Juan Bustos & Coni Elgueta
"I come here on my lunch break when I’m working. It’s just a very quiet, beautiful oasis in the middle in this part of the city. It’s gorgeous, it’s quiet and I enjoy the flowers as well."
Anna BachmanVisitor
Anna Bachman
"Straus Park is a peaceful, pretty space. I enjoy the greenery and flowers in summer and the colorful leaves in Fall. I either meditate or just look at the park."
Cherise AustonVisitor
Cherise Auston
"It gets me outdoors. I like to enjoy the park by myself. It’s pleasant and well kept."
Philip WilliamsVisitor
Philip Williams
"It’s not a huge space but pretty and conducive to sitting and taking a break from the noise and business around us in the city. We love the flowers and the sculpture of the woman on the memorial is beautiful."
Tiffany Morris & Emmanual DillonVisitors
Tiffany Morris & Emmanual Dillon
"It’s close to my home and it’s beautiful. The flower changes are reflective of the season – especially the tulips in Spring. It’s the garden I don’t have here because I live in an apartment."
AlnaVisitor
Alna
"I’m retired and come four times a week to sit and read. It’s like an enclosed green space. I think it’s wonderful. I have a degree in landscaping architecture and love there are multiple flower plantings throughout the year."
Martha HarrisVisitor
Martha Harris

History

Straus Park has a fascinating history. Following the sinking of the Titanic “on April 15, 1912, and the loss of prominent New Yorkers, Isidor and Ida Straus, efforts began to create a memorial. The resulting park in their name was dedicated April 15, 1915.

Straus Park was renovated between 1995-1997 resulting in the park you see today. The 100th anniversary was celebrated in 2015.

Read more

The Story of Straus Park

This extended video traces the history of the Straus family from humble beginnings in Georgia through its rise to success and notoriety in New York. As well, we learn of the history of the neighborhood and the evolution of the park from a 1903 “triangle at 106th street” to the full park and memorial that celebrates the Straus name today.

Video created by Stephen Frizell.

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