Bryant Park is a 9.603 acre (39,000 m²) park located in New York City. It is bounded by Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue (officially, Avenue of the Americas), 40th Street and 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. The main branch of the New York Public Library is in the park. Although part of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Bryant Park is managed by the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation.

Bryant Park opened in 1847 as Reservoir Square. It was named after its neighbor, the Croton Distributing Reservoir. In 1884 Reservoir Square was renamed Bryant Park, to honor the New York Evening Post editor William Cullen Bryant.

On days when the weather is nice, Bryant Park is a popular spot for area office workers to eat lunch. Several dining spots are located in the park, including Bryant Park Grill, Bryant Park Café, Bryant Park Pub and Il Forno Toscano. There is also a Starbucks and a Ben & Jerry's within the park.

In the summer of 2002, the Bryant Park Wireless Network was launched, allowing free internet access within the park.

On Monday evenings during the summer, HBO presents the Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. Movies are projected onto a large screen and people sit on the lawn to watch. On Friday mornings during the summer, ABC's Good Morning America presents the Summer Concert Series. There is no admission charge for either event.

External link

• Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (http://www.bryantpark.org/)