A NATURALIST’S NEW YORK
The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Rd, Bronx +1 718 817 8700
Located in the Bronx, just 20 minutes north of the city, this place features a sultry Carribbean garden in a conservatory full of orchids, bougainvillea, pineapple, coconut, mango, banana, chocolate and vanilla plants, as well as a Panama hat palm, lipstick tree and autograph tree.
American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street And Central Park West +1 212 769 5100
When it all gets bit much and nature feels far too far away, the Museum of Natural History offers reprieve from urban insanity. Head directly to the ‘biodiversity wall’ and do not turn back. There is a reconstructed rainforest in there: the Dzanga-Sangha to be exact, surrounded by a panoply of creatures on a wall the colour of Caribbean lagoons. It may not be the real thing, but the Museum does a fantastic job making the wonders of nature present.
Central Park
Being the largest park in Manhattan and a National Historic Landmark since 1963, Central Park is the best place for nature in New York City. Here you can hike, scale rocks and boulders, lay in green grass during Summer, swim in July and ice-skate in December, or sit by the many lakes that populate the 843 hectare grounds.
East Village Community Gardens
A delightful array of uniquely tended community gardens live between Second Avenue and Avenue C in the East Village. Sixth street is home to 3 fantastic gardens: The ‘6BC Botanical Garden‘, ‘6th and B Garden‘, and ‘The Creative Little Garden‘. 6BC Botanical Garden is the most fantastic with its lush mixture of flowers and plants, tiny nooks, covered gazebos, fish pond, stone table, and composting toilet (#1′s only!) The 6th and B garden is the largest and often hosts musical performances on its stage in summer. Visit the Creative Little Garden for the swinging porch chair and tall weeping willow.
Governor’s Island +1 212 440 2200
A free ferry ride across the East River takes you to Governor’s Island, a land without cars, sirens (at least distant), and picnic grounds aplenty. Large stretches of lawn and heritage buildings fill the space which was once home to military personnel and their families. Pack a picnic or purchase food there from the riverside kiosk, and take your bike: you can ride it straight onto the ferry.
M’finda Kalunga Garden, Rivington Street, between Chrystie & Forsyth +1 212 479 0880
Chess tables, leafage, veggie gardens and room to roam, M’finda Kalunga garden is the largest garden to serve Lower East Siders. Open in Spring, Summer and Fall during afternoons and evenings on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday each week. It’s name means ‘Garden at the Edge of the Other Side of the World’ in the Kikongo language and is considered a ‘communal backyard’ for local workers and residents.
By Sophie Ward
