Cities 101
Cities 101: Illegal Ink—The Bizarre History of NYC’s 36-Year Tattoo Ban
If you can believe it, from 1961 to 1997, there was a prohibition of tattooing in New York City. Despite
Cities 101: Prospect Park Cleans its Lake with a Lake “Mess” Monster!
Ruddy ducks, Canadian geese, and largemouth bass aren’t the only things you should keep an eye out for as
Cities 101: The Explanation Behind Those Thermometer Stickers on Subway Ceilings
Frequent subway riders are well-acquainted with the social expectations that come along with using mass transportation. Rather than looking
Cities 101: Why MetroCards Have Holes and Slanted Edges
New Yorkers rely on the subway everyday, yet an item as commonplace as the MetroCard still holds many surprises. For
Cities 101: Are Bodega Cats Actually Legal?
If you’ve frequented enough New York City delis or bodegas, then you’ve most likely come across a resident
Why Are NYPD Floodlights Illuminating NYC Parks and Housing Developments?
In the years since public pressure and a dearth of convincing results more or less ended the heavy-handed policing
Cities 101: What Exactly Are “Subway Signals”?
We’ve all been there. Standing on the platform, peeking down the tunnel to see if we can spot that
Cities 101: How Do Dogs Become MTA Police Officers?
An often overlooked but crucial force within the MTA Police Department is its elite canine unit. Last month, 13 dogs
Cities 101: The Secrets of Central Park’s Winter Routine
Raking leaves and shoveling snow are never popular chores — but imagine that instead of your townhouse sidewalk or suburban lawn,
10 Fun Facts about NYC’s Belgian Block (Not Cobblestone) Streets
Ah, that iconic New York City cobblestone. Well, technically, as die hard New Yorkers are keen to correct, it’s
NYC Fun Facts: The Surprising History of the Iconic “I Love NY” Logo
The “I <3 NY” logo is everywhere. It fills souvenir shops, brands billboards and murals, and is found on
Cities 101: The What’s, Why’s and Where’s of NYC Composting
For the past handful of years, four to be exact, strange brown bins have sprouted up next to familiar cobalt
