The popular Union Square Park is the latest Wi-Fi 'hotspot' (define) in downtown New York City offering free wireless Internet access to visitors.

The Union Square Park, located between 14th and 18th Streets and Broadway and Park Avenue, has been fitted with Wireless Access Points to create a Wi-Fi node that "will be by far the most popular among the city's urban spaces," according to Wired Magazine, which is sponsoring the hotspot.

The node was built and is being maintained by wireless networks consulting firm Emenity, which is a spin-off of the non-profit NYC Wireless community group. NYC Wireless was among the pioneers of open wireless "hotspots" in public spaces throughout the New York region.

Union Square Park joins Bryant Park (42nd Street), City Hall Park, Bowling Green Park, Rector Park, Liberty Plaza Park and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Part as the public Wi-Fi hotspots that can be found in Manhattan.

Earlier this year, The New York City Downtown Alliance launched seven hotspots at locations throughout the city in a bid to make the downtown area attractive to businesses.