Since 2004, Madison Square Park Conservancy has commissioned some of the most distinguished artists of our time to realize temporary public art projects in the 6.2 acre park. Public art has the capacity to challenge, energize, inspire, and provoke people outside of designated indoor art spaces of museums and galleries. The fascination is heightened when art is placed in a public park. Here, art is vulnerable, accessible, and open to the environment and the minds of visitors from all over the world. The works on view are seen in the context of complete democracy: available to all, no admission fee, no threshold to cross. At Madison Square Park, artists have challenged themselves to create with these factors in mind. Below, we look at a few of the commissioned projects and reflect on their lasting impact.