A ceremony was held last Saturday to mark the installation of 50 more commemorative paving stones around Tompkins Square Park’s Temperance Fountain, following the initial 24 that were laid last May. Among this round of pavers, one was dedicated to the late writer and performance artist Spalding Gray, who lived in Soho. Lisa Ramaci-Vincent dedicated a paver to her late husband, Steven Vincent, the former East Village activist slain last August while working as a freelance journalist in Basra, Iraq. A group of Vincent’s friends also purchased a stone for him. Dearly departed loved ones who were remembered also included a dog, Barney, whose owners scattered his ashes on his stone. Some were for newborn children. John Gatto purchased 12 stones for his family. The pavers can include any sort of tasteful message. The initiative is a fundraising campaign for the park. The pavers each cost $250. One hundred fifty spaces for new memorial pavers are left around the Temperance Fountain. After they are filled, another spot in the park for inscribed pavers will be designated.
