Inwood Hill Park

Even though when I came here, it wasn't the best day weather-wise (spotty showers, damp, humid) I decided to visit Inwood Hill Park with a friend. It's located at the uppermost edge of Manhattan, accessible only by the A train taken to the last stop. Honestly, I've never travelled that far up so it was kind of exciting for me. It was just a new experience in this city I call home. At the last stop I exited the subway station and walked towards the park. A set of stone steps greeted me. And so began my ascent into a part of New York City that I have never been before.

The first thing I noticed was the silence. All the cars, all the sounds of people, all the hustle and bustle of city life...it was as if it could not enter here. The sudden quietude was disorienting. I realized just how quickly it could feel like you're entering a different world, or a different lifetime even. All the buildings, all the modern creations of man had no effect here. This was nature, pure and simple. It's a rare moment indeed when you can be in NYC without FEELING like you're there. I walked on.

I noticed this carving on a tree. It was a cute little surprise to stumble upon while walking down the path. I couldn't help taking a picture. Lol.

I realized why they called it Inwood Hill Park. The climbing could get a little steep. I was definitely getting a good workout as well as beautiful views. All I could see was green and I loved it. Here spring was in full bloom. I could hear birds chirping high up in the trees and each path I decided to take (there were moments where the paths forked) led me deeper and deeper into the park. I was glad that I brought along a friend. Yet even though we had each other for company, nature demanded our attention. We gave it willingly. 

The general quiet, serene nature of the park allowed my mind to wander. The famous poem by Robert Frost popped into my head and I found myself reciting part of the poem "The Road Not Taken".

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth...

It's beautiful to me how a walk through the woods can inspire poetry. The merging of thought and nature is art, simple and organic and powerful.

Eventually the path I chose led me to a clearing where I saw a bright green meadow and a body of water I think may have been the Hudson River. There was also this sign with interesting information about Inwood Hill Park. The park consists of a forest, a salt marsh, meadow and many flora and fauna including the Bald Eagle. I was hoping that I would get a glimpse of the majestic bird so that I could take a picture of it. For bird watchers, this would be the perfect place to be since there are a reported 150 species of birds that have been spotted here. For those interested in Geology, there are various kinds of bedrock in this park including marble. For the history fans out there, Inwood was once home to a Native American village. And for the general nature lovers, this area provides a beautiful place to hike and enjoy the beauty that is Mother Earth. 

Here you could see a picture of the Hudson River and some ducks relaxing by the waterside.  I walked along the pathway by the water, enjoying the peacefulness of the day and the fact that the area  was crowd free. It's hard to find a serene spot in the city that isn't packed full of people. I had plenty of room to roam. I savored it. 

My friend allowed me to take a photo of him enjoying a moment of peace in this frequently hectic city. Thank you so much Cliff!

Every now and again I'd come across a runner or just a person looking to do the same thing I was doing, enjoying the outdoors without the congestion. This little fellow happened to be straggling behind his owner who had walked farther up ahead. She was following behind me for a while and when I turned to take this picture, she politely stopped and allowed me to do so. 

I thought somehow the bedrock on that side of the water would spell something out for me but alas, only a solitary "c" could be seen. I wonder what it stood for. The only words my friend and I could come up with happened to be food related lol.

I am obsessed with the concept of a few things. One of those things are  pathways (doors, tunnels, corridors, hallways) and the other is the juxtaposition of nature and industrial. There's something so compelling about seeing the massive structure of a manmade steel bridge and then the delicate curve of leaves on the trees and the sharp tips of branches brushing up against it. The bright splash of green coinciding next to the cold grey shows two worlds forced to coexist. I love looking at the two together, it makes me feel as if we can all exist on the same plane no matter how vastly different we are.

More paths showed me the way. At this point the wind had started to pick up. The leaves rustled gently. The feeling was...otherworldly. Once again there was no one around. I could see the water through the break in the trees. I saw part of a railroad track and thought about about the duality of man and nature, how we exist beside each other, holding our own power. But the power of nature is ancient, and mankind is still young compared to even the youngest forest. We are spring blooms while nature has already seen many winters. I looked at the trees to either side of me and thought of what they must of have seen, a world ever-changing, ever expanding, pushing their boundaries back further as we humans expand and evolve and desire more. There was a wildness to the green around me that I found captivating. No matter what, we couldn't control this. Nature is untamable.

My friend Cliff once again played a good sport and allowed me to take a photo of him.

I'm not really good with the names of flowers but I saw some pretty little ones while walking and decided to snap a photo. 

I had walked for over an hour, time moved way too fast when you are unaware of it. I knew that that though there was plenty more to see I had to save that for another time. While enjoying the last length of this walk, I saw the train tracks and once again couldn't resist taking a photo. Man and nature. There's something beautiful to me in the contrast. I guess because I exist in the world of man but will always appreciate nature. This walk through the park showed me that. I loved the feeling of setting foot in another world but at the end of the day, I live among the cars and the computers and the pulse of a society growing day by day, become more advanced and maybe tragically, more removed from nature. It's important to put down the phones and the tablets and come back to where the trees grow. Center ourselves. Appreciate that there is more to the world than skyscrapers and technology, there's nature in abundance, waiting for us to acknowledge it and remember its beauty. That's something I must always keep in mind. 

Sunset Park

If you're resident of Brooklyn, Ny or you just love visiting the borough, you've probably been to Prospect Park at least once (I'll be covering Prospect Park at a later date). It's right next to the central Brooklyn Public Library, and close to the Brooklyn Museum so what's not to love? However, there are other parks in BK that have their own special charm. One of them is a neat little patch of green called Sunset Park. Located at 44th street and 6th avenue, the N or R trains to 45th street will take you here.

Nestled in a neighborhood filled with diversity, Sunset Park offers a nice reprieve from the shops, restaurants and busy, crowded energy that the area provides. It looks unassuming from the outside but don't let that fool you. Once inside you are met with a series of pathways. Whichever one you choose will take you on a nice little stroll past picnickers, children playing, and bike riders. It's really a lovely experience.

If you choose to visit now, you'll see cherry blossoms still in bloom. I got a chance to admire the soft pink colors today. The way they contrasted with green leaves of the trees next to them was a beautiful sight. I love spring!

While walking I came across an artist, sketching the portrait of an old tree. Children nearby stopped and watched her while she drew the likeness of the trunk with quick, precise strokes of her pencil. She seemed unfazed by all the attention, choosing instead to immerse herself in her work. I love it when people are able to find art and beauty in everyday things. This tree is definitely quite distinguishing in its own way.

This park may not be the most well known in Brooklyn, but it definitely offers one of the most attractive features that the borough has to offer; a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline.

Because of the park's high vantage point, you can also look out and enjoy a view that most people would envy. Walk a little farther up on the paths and you can even see the faint image of the Statue of Liberty as well as Staten Island and New Jersey. 

It's a nice place to come and enjoy a picnic or just to walk and see the sights. I'm glad I made the trip and visited this park. I'm sure as its name implies, that it must have spectacular views at sunset. However a daytime visit was really quite beautiful and a perfect way to spend this lovely spring day. 

The Highline

Among the remnants of railroad tracks, green springs forth in the resilient way that only nature can. It gives off a feeling of disuse, of time left to slowly reclaim what mankind had once taken hold of. Leaves nestle against steel. Linear planks of wood make room for trees to stretch their branches.

This is the High Line. It's a perfect example of an urban park. The old West Side Line had been recycled into a beautiful greenway and this was the amazing result. When walking through it, I was aware of how fluidly man and nature integrated itself into the design of this space. Around me, the city hummed. Cars below sped by without care. However high above, in the place I inhabited, the sounds seemed farther away. It was as if by entering the High Line I had discovered a place still on the verge of industrial creation. Or at the beginning of nature's takeover on our modern world. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.

I took the A train to 14th street and walked the distance to Gansevoort street. The park stretches from Gansevoort to 34th street in a long expanse of wood and carefully tended plant-life. Taking in the sights around me, the budding trees, the boardwalk below my feet, the plants growing contently in this space I felt calm.

There were vendors selling food along the path and at the edge of each side, buildings sprang up like great steel behemoths, temporarily bringing me back to reality and subsequently leaving me in awe of how such a space arrived here in the first place.

It truly is a unique experience, simple yet worthwhile. I'd recommend giving the High Line a visit. Enjoy a moment of peace before leaving it behind and walking those city streets. It's definitely worth it and I recommend going out and taking a walk here.

Welcome to Project Parks

Originally, I had posted my "Project Park" pictures in my other blog. I realized that it would probably be better to give this a blog of it's very own! The weather is getting much nicer and with it a desire is blooming within me to really take advantage of the beauty of New York City. Though the tall buildings and abundance of people of various cultures is a beautiful sight in itself, I am turning my gaze towards the greener side of things. I want to focus on the parks.

As a friend has pointed out there are a great deal of parks to explore in nyc and I really want to try and visit as many as I can. I am calling this adventure, Project Parks. The whole idea is kinda exciting to me! Winter has been so bleak, so boring, so...cold. Now the trees are regaining their leaves and the flowers are opening up to the world and they are beckoning me to come and see them in all their urban glory. 

So whenever I visit a new park I will give a little information about the park itself and how to get there via public transportation. I'm not a tour guide but I will express how I feel walking through each park I visit and whether or not I would ever go there again. I will take photos (naturally) and talk to people (maybe, I'm shy!) and enjoy what the park has to offer. Mainly I'll enjoy myself and I'll share my joy with you. I can't wait.

Don't be afraid to share my posts and comment as well. I'd love to hear from you!