New York City is a heaven for nature lovers
You probably don't realize that New York City is, in fact, the greenest city in America. Of nearly 200,000 total acres, more than 50,000 of those acres are park or open space. While Central Park is the most famous green space in New York City, it is only ranked fifth out of the 10 largest parks in the city.
For those who love nature, New York City may not seem like the wildlife oasis that it really is. There are many things to do in New York City that will enhance your appreciation of nature and / or allow you opportunities to educate yourself about nature or simply enjoy it.
New York is home to about 1,700 parks and play areas where you can enjoy activities such as biking, inline skating, ice skating (in season), boating, basketball, skating, softball, soccer, Tennis, frisbee or even an exciting game. label with the little one that lights up your eyes. Be sure to bring a blanket so you can lie on your back and watch the clouds go by. As you do so, see if there is a stray or two you can identify.
For those who love nature, there are many places to get close to it in New York City. For those who are interested in bird watching, the New York Botanical Garden offers guided tours. Blue Heron Park is another great place for bird watching. Some of the varieties you will see are: woodpeckers and warblers. Clove Lakes Park not only offers bird watching, but also fishing, rowing boat rides, paddle boats and outdoor ice skating when weather permits.
For those who prefer nature activities that require a bit more action than bird watching (well, sometimes), there are many excellent opportunities to go fishing in and around New York City. Central Park's Charles A. Dana Discovery Center is a great place to go "catch and release" fishing. They even lend you a stick. You can also go fishing at Willowbrook Park. While you're there be sure to let the little ones ride the carousel, it will give you plenty of smiles for the small price (in today's world) of $ 1. Other activities available at Willowbrook park include: archery, ice skating, archery range, soccer, football, horseshoes, tennis and horseshoes.
If plant life is more your speed or you simply enjoy seeing nature's most obvious signs, then there are many opportunities for you to observe the incredible wealth of plant life and vegetation in and around New York City. Central Park Conservatory Garden offers six acres of beautiful plants to enjoy. You can see three distinctive patterns in the gardens here. The north garden is intended to be a French-inspired formal garden, the central garden is intended to provide an Italian atmosphere, while the south garden is in the style of a traditional English garden. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers another opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy some of the best greenery New York has to offer. This garden even has a special club designed to help youngsters get their inner green thumbs out. Make sure to check it out.
Another area of Central Park worth mentioning is Belvedere Castle and the turtle pond that runs below it. The castles of Belvedere are a great place for bird watching and the rest of the wildlife that surrounds it only magnifies its appeal. Be sure to stop by the Central Park Conservatory at Belvedere Castle to borrow a backpack containing binoculars, a sketch pad, and a map of the park to help you birdwatch like a pro. You must provide identification and children under the age of 6 cannot borrow.
If you love nature, don't worry, there is a lot of nature to share and enjoy in New York City. Be sure to take the time to enjoy several of the parks that are available to you during your stay in this wonderful and exciting city.
