Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Mark and Gaz
Before we set off for New York I had visions of spending an entire day at Central Park in Manhattan, a colossal public green space right at the centre of a bustling city and surrounded by sky scrapers and towering buildings, and considered to be the 'lungs of New York City'. A huge park spanning 840 acres and much bigger than the giant city park I'm more familiar with which is Hyde Park in London, I was aware that it has different generously spaced sections to explore and with different functions too. And with it still being late summer when we visited I was also expecting to see some of their summer bedding displays and plantings within the park.
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| Central Park, New York City |
Alas, spending an entire day there was not to be the case. We found that there was so much to do in Manhattan that it quickly dawned on us that a week is simply not enough to see and experience all the essentials of NYC. Instead of dashing here and there just to catch a glimpse of what we want to see, we chose a few and took our time to experience and explore them.
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| Surrounded by skyscrapers and tall buildings on all sides |
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| A generous green space for Manhattan |
But even so, the time we had available was not enough. An entire day allocated to Central Park seemed too generous so we decided to allocate only half a day. Perhaps that would be enough to actually all of it??
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| The Lungs of New York |
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| A fairground within the park |
Dream on, it is 840 acres after all so we only managed to see half of it! But it was a fabulous sightseeing and exploring half of a park...
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| A green space that is vital to the well being of the residents of a bustling metropolis |
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| Sections of the park used to be underwater, of a lake that was drained away in creating the park |
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| One of the many places to relax and contemplate (stunning views too!) |
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| San Remo Apartments |
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| There was an algal bloom that made the water vivid green |
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| A park that caters to different kinds of outdoor activities, like paddle boating, a canoe (or is that a gondola?) ride... |
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| or activities of which one may lose their top... |
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| Or relax and people watch by the edge of the fountain |
We may have run out of time to explore it and we didn't even get the chance to see the conservatory area and formal planting, nor any of the summer bedding displays there but seeing the other half is just one of the many reasons why we ought to go back again soon. Who knows?
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Great photos. Seems like they would do something with the water problem though. Maybe they figure it keeps people from taking a swim. The park is lovely though.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Thanks Cher! As for the water they seem to be having a headache with it as there were signs warning visitors to be cautious as the type of algae in the water could be poisonous.
DeleteIs this your first time here in NYC? Wow! I am feeling happy to read this post as we live so close by the city that we do not even bother to go there :-P. Lovely shots. BTW, are you guys cricket or football followers?
ReplyDeleteFirst time indeed :-) next time we visit we ought to meet up! Gaz is a football follower.
DeleteYour photos are gorgeous! I had no idea that parts of Central Park used to be under water. You're making me seriously think about a trip to NYC . . .
ReplyDeleteWell worth considering Heather, I think you'll enjoy it there :)
DeleteWonderful photos! They make me want to take a trip across country.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Kris!
DeleteSounds like you had a blast...and I agree, no matter how much time you spend in NYC...it's not enough!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! There's so much to do there Scott :)
DeleteBeautiful park. I've never seen it all either and it's only a six hour flight for me. Looks like you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, we did have a wonderful time! Six to seven hour flight from ours too.
DeleteIt is enormous isn't it? I stayed for a fortnight on the upper east side and walked through it most days but even then I don't suppose I saw that much of it. D
ReplyDeleteIndeed David, absolutely huge and generous for a densely populated city.
DeleteNice to see it through "foreigners'" eyes. Repeat visits are a must.
ReplyDeleteI think you've now seen more of Central Park than I have, as I was only there for a couple of hours. Beautiful though, no matter how much time you have.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously had wonderful weather which makes a huge difference to a city! I've been to NY a couple of times, staying out of town, so have to admit that I've never walked the park. Must remedy. Did you go to see the highline? That would be a major attraction for me. Your photos make me want to book a flight immediately but I have to remember that they have freezing winters and baking summers over there!!
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful photos here! I love this set. Jeannine
ReplyDeleteI've heard of celebrities jogging in central park, but had no idea what it looked like. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have been to New York City only once. That was for business and not sightseeing, though we did manage to see a few sights. We cut across a corner Central Park, and I wished I had the chance to see more. Thanks for the photos! I think you covered a lot for merely a half day!
ReplyDeleteA reason to go back is always welcome, isn't it? I've never really explored the park during my visits. My wife and kids usually overrule me on anything plant-related. :-/ I've only gone as far as the Bethesda fountain and really have not explored the park so well. Thanks for sharing your photos! It was nice to get to "tag along".
ReplyDeleteFunny bra picture. I have a Paris version.
The oasis "lung" must really be big to lessen the carbon dioxide in that very big city. I wonder why that body of water is so wide too, instead of mostly greens. I wonder if it serves as a water treatment plant, and where the water goes from there. I am not really very much impressed with it based from only the pictures, but that doesn't mean your photos are not good. Maybe i just prefer more plants park. Thanks for informing me about it as i might not see it in this lifetime.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you got to see as much as you did in half a day! I've always thought central park a remarkable - and remarkably wonderful - space for a modern city to maintain. Did you find it as surreal as I did spotting photos of places that have featured on tv and film when you were wandering around?
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