Gramercy Park
I live in Gramercy. Not Gramercy Park, like in a building around the actual perimeter of those hallowed gates. More like that sub-neighborhood around the perimeter of the perimeter that gets to keep the panache of the whole name. Good thing, because I would not have it any other way. I refuse to give into those ridiculous acronyms and syllabic abbreviations that real estate brokers are inventing to attract clients. Gramurray, North or South Gramercy...You can keep it! I'm Gramercy all the way baby!
Gramercy Park is the last private park in NYC. I don't understand why people scoff at that idea. I mean, people pay for access to the park because it is a private piece of land purchased exclusively for the use of those who have their properties around it. If you bought a house, would you like it if someone just traipsed through your backyard? I see key access to the park the same way; it's just that you have to cross the street to get to your backyard.
To be honest if I did live around the park, I don't know if I would even bother with the key. There are so many rules and regulations that you would begin to view the place as an Italian living room. Actually, to walk around the park is a big friggin' hassle because people walk their dogs around the edge, causing the sidewalks to be decorated in urine and half wiped up feces. Yuck!
The park opens one day a year to the general public (June, I think), so those who suffer from park-envy can reap the benefits without the costs of key ownership. You even get free ice cream from the Gramercy Park Block Association. Yeah! Now who would turn down free ice cream?
You can find out a little more about Gramercy Park here