Katharine Hepburn Garden in Midtown East

Katharine Hepburn was a beloved fixture in Manhattan, where she spent a large part of her life at her home in Turtle Bay, which she moved to in 1932. An avid gardner, she was actively involved in not just growing flowers, but also protecting the trees and the neighborhood from encroaching development. This has led to 49th Street and 2nd Avenue being named Katharine Hepburn Place, and having the Katharine Hepburn Garden named after her a couple of blocks away on 47th Street and 2nd Avenue.

Katharine Hepburn Place

Katharine Hepburn Place is a street in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The street was named in honor of the Katharine Hepburn, who owned a townhouse on the street for many years. The townhouse was Hepburn’s primary residence from 1931 until the mid-1990s.

Katharine Hepburn was known for her iconic performances on stage and screen, as well as for being a trailblazer for women in the entertainment industry. The street that bears her name is a fitting tribute to her legacy and to her contributions to the world of film and theater.

Katharine Hepburn Garden

Katharine Hepburn Garden is a small public garden located in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York City. The garden was named in honor of the legendary actress Katharine Hepburn, who was a longtime resident of the nearby Turtle Bay neighborhood. The garden was created in 1997 at the request of the community to pay tribute to her love of flowers, and for her commitment to the park and the neighborhood.

The Katharine Hepburn Garden is a peaceful and serene oasis in the heart of Midtown Manhattan featuring a variety of plants and flowers, as well as two old willow trees, wrought iron benches, and a fountain.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Katharine Hepburn Garden is also a tribute to the actress’s legacy and contributions to the world of film and theater. There’s a section towards the middle that pays tribute to her movies –

It is a great place to catch your breath, read or reflect if you are ever in Midtown Manhattan, as it is at all the parks that NYC seems to have tucked away in unexpected places.

One of my favorite sayings is one by Katharine Hepburn – “If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased”. I seem to be identifying with it even more as I get older!