Vesuvio Playground - Thompson Street between Prince and Spring

Vesuvio Playground starts at the western corner of Thompson and Spring and runs about halfway up that side of the block. Here is the corner, which has basketball and handball courts:

The kids' playground area is a little farther up the block. Fortunately when I came back the next day it was raining and the whole place was empty, so I felt free to take photos since there were no kids around. 

I've also seen chess tables at Washington Square Park, but I must say that the backgammon table is cool. Although I don't know how to play, but I still like it. 

I believe I played in this park when I was a kid, and also swam in its pool.

I assume it's still in use but just not the right time of year. As happy a sight as a swimming pool full of water is, an abandoned-looking pool is equally as sad. 

A section of the park goes straight across from Thompson to Sullivan Street. Here's that area standing at the Thompson Street side:

Despite the rain, the park was still open, and it was nice having the whole place to myself.

Here's the area inside near the pool:

And some looks as you approach the Sullivan Street side:

I'm not sure that there's much practical use for a compass on the park's ground, but it's cool nonetheless. I could see kids using it as part of a game, maybe pretending they're pirates or something. I don't know, I'm not a kid anymore so I've lost much of my imagination. 

Hey, more chess tables. I guess chess players can't handle a little rain? I shouldn't pick on them, there weren't any basketball or handball players out there either.

Finally another person willing to walk through the rainy park!

Back on Thompson Street is this plaque, which says the playground was constructed in 1934 and reconstructed in 2007:

It used to be called the Thompson Street Playground until the 1990's, when it was renamed for Anthony Dapolito, who owned the nearby Vesuvio Bakery on Prince Street. He was also an activist for the area and its parks, and served on the community board for over 50 years. The playground was named after his bakery, which was started by his parents in 1920, because a Parks Department policy didn't allow it to be named after a living person.   

His nickname was the Mayor of Greenwich Village, and he was many times the chairperson of the neighborhood's Community Board 2, while at other times chairing its Parks Committee. 

He sold the bakery in 2003 because of health issues and died later that year at age 82. In 2004 the nearby recreation center on Carmine Street and 7th Avenue was named after him. 

In the above photo you can see some of the Keith Haring mural that was previously discussed in my post on St. Luke's Place. That mural is in the area of the recreation center's outdoor swimming pool. 

By the way, the recreation center used Tony instead of Anthony in the name because his family was asked about it by the Parks Department and they chose Tony because that's what people called him.  

Although Vesuvio Bakery no longer exists at 160 Prince Street, there is a happy story, because there is now another bakery there which has kept the Vesuvio storefront in tact.

That small sign in the corner seems to be the only indication that the shop is now Birdbath Bakery, which is part of the City Bakery franchise. Good job by them for preserving part of the area's history, even though it probably causes some confusion for potential customers. 

Here's a couple of general looks up and down the block:

Garbage pickup day was probably approaching. 

There are many small shops on this block, which is relatively quiet and pleasant for strolling compared with many bustling SoHo streets surrounding it.

The clock was only off by a few minutes, which was impressive, especially since Daylight Savings Time had just recently started. 

There are some eateries on the block, including a French restaurant called Cocotte.

And a hamburger joint called Trademark Burger.

And a pizza place on Spring Street, across from the playground, called Famous Ben's Pizza.

In case you're wondering, it isn't actually that famous, that's just a name that some pizza places in the city give themselves. 

I would love to eat at all these places for the blog and for my own enjoyment but it wouldn't be good for my health or my wallet, so I'm sorry. But I hope you'll want to check them out if you're in the area...

Okay fine, I'll try Famous Ben's:

Happy? Well, I was.

A marinara slice, one with mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini, and garlic knots. Really, really good.