Murray Hill and Kips Bay

Understanding Murray Hill and Kips Bay

Kips Bay takes its name from the Kip family’s farm along the East River. St. Vartan Park occupies part of that former land; later, the Queens–Midtown Tunnel approach cut through the park and altered its layout.

Bellevue South Park followed the area’s urban-renewal rebuilding. It opened in 1979 after local residents and institutions agreed to help maintain it during the city’s financial difficulties. Its creation reflects community work as well as large-scale redevelopment.

Places to explore

• Scandinavia House

  58 Park Avenue

  Choose a published program or consult the current visitor page for the shop and children's-center arrangements. The children's center distinguishes public sessions from member-only sessions.

• St. Vartan Park

  Kips Bay

  Use the park to understand the old farm and later tunnel landscape. Its name follows the nearby Armenian cathedral. The eastern lawn and flower beds were reclaimed for regulated passive use; do not treat them as unrestricted sports space.

• Bellevue South Park

  Kips Bay residential area

  Choose the playground, seating or the park's other designated features. Parks records a 2023 redesign including a larger accessible dog run and renewed playground and basketball areas.

Planning a visit

Scandinavia House lists the 6 to 33rd Street or Grand Central subway services for its Park Avenue address. Choose a different precise destination for the parks and check current service.

Scandinavia House states that its building is wheelchair accessible. Check the station, street approach and any planned park connections separately.