13. Septuagesimo Uno

While on a mission to find one of the smallest parks in New York City on the Upper West Side, we came across Septuagesimo Uno, somewhat awkwardly squashed between two four-story brownstones at 256 West 71st Street. It’s one of the city’s tiniest parks, although the Parks Department even calls it a “triangle/plaza.”

In reality, however, it’s none of these options. It’s more of a forgotten dead-end alley overrun by nature, and at two-fifths of an acre in size, it’s a refreshing contrast to the city’s big, popular parks.

Septuagesimo Uno was acquired by the city through condemnation on March 28, 1969, near the height of the city’s budget woes. But the park wasn’t officially opened by the parks department until May 1981. Since then, Septuagesimo Uno has become popular among an in-the-know group of locals who crave its quiet seclusion—although there really isn’t much to do there.

Next, check out 6 Hidden Alleys and Small Private Streets in NYC’s Greenwich Village and 8 Beautiful Historic Districts in Manhattan Smaller Than One Block.