Back in July the whole area was fenced off and a reader wrote that:

“Rehabilitation of McPherson Square: This includes but is not limited to replacing all the sidewalks in the interior of the park, replacing concrete curbing, re-setting historic granite curbs, removing lead paint from decorative fence, re-painting decorative fence, removing one Chinese Elm tree, re-grading portions of the site, replacing the benches and trash receptacles with new, installing post and chain at all corners and along sidewalks with the greatest impacts from foot traffic, replacing the streetlight system along the interior sidewalks, replacing the sod, replacing drinking fountains with handicapped accessible models, and relocating the electric supply access from the street to the interior of the park.”

Looking good. Here it is from July:

Though now nearby Franklin Square remains far more crowded: