A Walking Tour of Gramercy Flatiron in Manhattan: How Trash Cans, Monuments and Trees Define Our Neighborhoods, Businesses and Our Culture

Baruch students are leading a data-driven walking tour of Gramercy Flatiron based on litter basket data from the NYC Department of Sanitation and monument and tree data from the NYC Parks Department.

Nothing to do with dumpster diving, but everything to do with leveraging unique data sets from NYC Open Data that are used to design a data-driven walk. The event will demonstrate how combining a myriad of datasets can drive new community gathering places and economic development.

Student docents from Baruch College and New York University will point out and discuss famous and unique places next to litter cans in the Gramercy Flatiron including famous statues and unique places in Madison Sq. Park, eateries on 5th Ave, the farmers market in Union Square and Broadway, notable homes of Dutch, English and Americans in Gramercy Park

Following a brief discussion about the architectural importance of the Courthouse, students will then lead us through Madison Square Park, pointing out important statues and plaques, notable sculpture then down Broadway through Flatiron towards Union Sq. Park. The walk will then head north through Gramercy Park ending at the Vertical Campus of Baruch College at 25th Street and Lexington Ave.

The walk begins at 12pm on the front steps of the Appellate Division Courthouse of New York State adjacent to Madison Sq. Park. Bring questions, snacks, and curiosity. The walk will last about 90 minutes. If you want to learn more after the tour, stick around for a discussion about how it was designed – sign up here.