New Yorkers love their parks, and they have lots of them. They need them. Those of us who live outside of New York City are more accustomed to tree-lined streets, large back yards, neighborhood playgrounds. Those 1.7 million residents of Manhattan live several flights up, in concrete and steel high-rises, surrounded by sidewalks and streets packed with cars, rarely walking on freshly-cut grass. Thus, the presence of as many parks as can be fit onto 22.96 square miles of land on the island of Manhattan.
On my last visit to my favorite city, I went in search of some of the more obscure or hidden parks. I was rewarded with the discovery of several. Below I have pictures, addresses, and descriptions of my favorites.
Katharine Hepburn Garden
Located: 47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues
This garden, though not necessarily quiet, gives the impression of isolation in the middle of chaos, and is a relaxing hideaway. It is cool, even in July, shaded by several trees and freshened by the fountain. There are stepping stones throughout the garden, many of those stones containing quotes by the iconic actress. I highly recommend a visit if you are on the Upper East Side. Take a book and relax a while!
Paley Park
Located: 3 East 53rd Street (Midtown between Park Ave. and 7th Ave.)
This oasis is wedged in between high-rises, alongside a heavily trafficked street. It was designed to minimize outside noise. The manmade waterfall does a great job at masking city sounds. There is a snack-bar adjoining the sitting area. I actually had lunch the day I was there. Although the developers attempted to make this a get-away area, I was not as pleased with Paley Park as with the garden above. The concrete underfoot and the high number of visitors made it not as pleasant and relaxing.
Teardrop Park
Located: Warren Street, Battery Park City
Now for the kids of Manhattan! They need places to play.. and cool off in those HOT summer months when all that concrete absorbs and holds in that extreme heat. I found one of those places -- Teardrop Park. It's awesome! There's not a lot of grass, true, but there is water. The day I was there the swimming area was full. (Full disclosure: the pictures above with kids were not taken by me. I got them online. I didn't take pictures of kids the day I was there, not wanting to alarm parents.) The park was an area of shouts and splashes, slipping and sliding, running and rollicking. There were also small nooks for quiet and reflection.
It's not the easiest place to find, which is part of its charm. You can use your phone and Google Maps to help you locate it though.
