How A Rock With A Mustache Ended Up A Yorkville Landmark

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A streetside boulder with a vexed expression made from googly eyes and a stick-on mustache has created a local internet sensation on the Upper East Side.

It all started when David Calderon, a longtime Upper East Side resident and physical therapist, said he first noticed the large spherical rock on East 82nd Street near York Avenue. He said construction workers dug up the rock and seemingly abandoned it near the curb, surrounded by caution tape, several weeks ago.

Calderon, who has lived on the Upper East Side for more than 20 years, first left a message with 311 about getting the rock removed, but more than a week went by.

"I mean, the city probably should handle it, because I’m sure it was them digging up the street, but honestly, I really don’t know who’s responsible at this point," Calderon told Patch, adding that there are still a few construction barricades near the boulder.

"I just have a feeling it’s just going to stay there indefinitely," Claderon said.

Since removing it himself would be a Sisyphean task, the Yorkville resident turned to the Upper East Side's online Reddit community for advice on what to do about the nuisance.

Inspired by dozens of commenters, he gave the boulder a personality —adding googly eyes and a mustache — and even registered it on Google Maps as a landmark called "The Boulder of 82nd Street."

"There’s just so much stuff going on now, so I think people just need a little levity," Calderon told Patch. "With everything going on, just to be able to laugh at something — it's fun."

He told Patch he was a little surprised by how much the neighborhood seems to appreciate the quirky landmark.

"I’m surprised it hasn’t been vandalized yet," Calderon said. "People just had a pretty positive response."

Calderon said the googly eyes he bought for the rock came in a multipack, which begs the question: Where is he planning to stick googly eyes next on the Upper East Side?

"I don't know yet, but I'll keep an eye out," Calderon said.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.