Image: St. Vartan's Park field house - St. Vartan Play Group/Preschool I thought the location of the Downing Street Playgroup in a NYC Parks Department field house was unusual until I came across the St. Vartan Play Group/St. Vartan's Preschool. This cooperative preschool uses the St. Vartan Park field house. The Downing Street Playground is located in the West Village and St. Vartan is located on First Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets. There a couple of differences between the school. Image: Downing Street Playground field house, photo via Flikr user dandeluca ( source ) One, is the governing model of the school. According to the Downing Street Playgroup website , the preschool is quasi-private. The City does not charge the organization rent nor does it provide funding for staff or equipment. The playgroup is not allowed to use the building for "restricted or private functions" and it must widely publicize in the neighborhood its enrollment p