Lincoln Center transforming plaza into park for outdoor performances

Tuesday, April 13, 2021
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Lincoln Center is going green.

The New York City landmark will put a synthetic lawn around its plaza and fountain next month for a series of outdoor performances.
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"The Green" will transform approximately 14,000 square feet of open concrete into a more inviting environment for New Yorkers to enjoy the park-like space.

"When invited to consider how the physical space of Josie Robertson Plaza could be re-envisioned to be a more inclusive and inviting environment, I immediately thought that by changing the ground surface from hard paving stones with no seating to a material like grass, suddenly anyone would be able to sit anywhere," said celebrated set designer Mimi Lien.

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Books will be available for borrowing from the New York Public Library and a small snack bar is planned for the northeast corner.



Pop-up performances of all kinds will be offered throughout summer and fall -- including music, dance and family friendly performances and workshops.

The installation opens May 10 and will remain in place until September.


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It will be the physical centerpiece of Restart Stages, an initiative to use outdoor spaces for live performances.

The green space will be open from 9 a.m. until midnight.

Social distancing will be required and it will be cleaned regularly.

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