The strangest thing about the East Village of 2008 is that even after all the years of gentrification and development and Starbucks and [insert complaint here], there still can be neighborhood happenings that make you stop and wonder. We figured the 2nd Ave. Deli closing and becoming a Chase bank was pretty much the finish line for "In my day!" outrage (or, if not that, CBGB turning into an upscale clothing boutique), but EVers are probably smirking about the fact that on the same day Eddie Boros' Tower of Toys—literally the biggest reminder of how creative, weird and downright scary the East Village once was (that toy horse was demented, we swear)—was removed from the community garden on Avenue B, another "pocket park" opened just five blocks away: the Toyota Children's Learning Garden.
"The notion of the Toyota Garden is of learning and discovering," the landscape architect told the Times. Discovering the joys ... of driving a Toyota! The park was spearheaded by Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, and the opening was accompanied by a VIP gala in Tompkins Square Park. According to Neither More Nor Less, there was a big tent, cars lining Avenue A in every which way, and beefy bouncers guarding the park gates. According to news reports, Katie Couric joined Bette Midler on stage at the $250/head event to sing a duet. Strange times, indeed.
· A New Manhattan Park Teaches Children About Plants [NYT]
· The Big Tent in Tompkins Square Park Monday Night ... [NMNL]
A big piece, both literally and figuratively, of the East Village's once-proud artistic culture is currently being removed piece by piece out of the community garden at Sixth Street and Avenue B, and while creator Eddie Boros might not have even cared that his five-story Tower of Toys is being dismantled, many East Village oldtimers do. In fact, you can see them streaming by the garden right now—they're the ones in the berets—as they get one last look at the wooden and rickety sculpture. But enough about the past. Take a look at the present, which involves Parks Department employees in very slimming vests smashing the thing to bits. Vanishing New York reports that today's work will end at 2pm, then being again tomorrow at 8am until the dirty deed is done.
· CurbedWire Special: East Village Toy Tower Coming Down [Curbed]
· East Village Toy Tower: Time to Say Goodbye [Curbed]
The East Village's Toy Tower is coming down. Our on scene correspondent reports that full scale demolition is underway at E. 6th Street and Avenue B and that wood from tower is being removed and carted off to a dumpster. The commmunity garden is closed, but some photographers are inside recording the event as the wood is piled up and chopped up before being hauled to the dumpster. On the bright side, anyone who wants to take home a piece of the tower's wood can do so as the workers are giving away lumber for both souvenirs and salvage. More photos to come.
The Parks Department can pick off late artist Eddie Boros' Toy Tower at any time, but luckily for the small crowd of East Village oldtimers and curious onlookers gathered on Sunday evening, the five-story structure was still standing in the community garden on East 6th Street and Avenue B for an informal celebration of the local landmark. The Timesreports that Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said parts of the tower are rotting, so safety concerns are the main reason for the dismantling (no museum wanted it). The two-decade-old Toy Tower will be carefully taken apart this week, with pieces going to the volunteer gardeners as mementos. Curbed photo dude Will Femia was at the Toy Tower tribute on Sunday, and snapped the above photos.
· Creation of a Bygone Era, Soon to Be Demolished [NYT]
· East Village's Tower of Toys Can Be Picked Off at Any Time [Curbed]
That public tribute planned on Sunday for late artist Eddie Boros' Tower of Toys sculpture in the community garden on Avenue B and East 6th Street? The neighborhood fixture may not even make it that long. Vanishing New York follows up on yesterday's news that the Parks Department will dismantle and remove the five-story pile with an update that claims city officials can send over a cherry-picker at any time and don't need to notify the garden. There is some hope that they will let 10 feet of the community curiosity remain, and in fact the garden voted to let the Parks Department haul away the sculpture after they failed to find a museum-backed taker for the unsturdy art. The celebration is still planned for 7-9pm on Sunday, but if there's nothing left, that would be a little awkward, wouldn't it? According to VNY's source, "Eddie himself said he didn't care what happened to the sculpture after he was gone. He said he didn't care if it was torn down." But a whole lot of other people do.
· Toy Tower Update [Vanishing New York]
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That public tribute planned on Sunday for late artist Eddie Boros' Tower of Toys sculpture in the community garden on Avenue B and East 6th Street? The neighborhood fixture may not even make it that long. 
