Thomas Paine Park is a 1.88 acreage triangle/plaza owned and operated by NYC Parks Department that…read morenamed for Thomas Paine (1737-1809), American Revolutionary patriot, author, humanitarian, and political visionary published the unsigned pamphlet Common Sense. (source: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/thomas-paine-park) In the 19th century, this area of Civic Center was part of one of the most notorious slums in the country: Five Points slums. This land is integrated to Foley Square. This park is adjacent to surrounding parks: Columbus Park, Collect Pond Park and to the south City Hall Park. There are several monuments art installations worthy of viewing. Bronze portrait statue depicting early New York Mayor Abraham De Peyster (1657-1728) on pedestal; Triumph of the Human Spirit, a circular basin water fountain in black Canadian granite; and Foley Square Medallions containing five medallions embedded at different locations in the walkways. At first glance, I thought and hoped, there was the portrait statue of Thomas Paine since this park is named and dedicated in his honor but to no avail. It sits across the street from federal Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse at 40 Foley Square, New York, NY where federal workers and nearby civic city workers break for lunch. It contains abundant trees for shade. This park enable me to achieve a phlegmatic disposition moment in the passage of my professional duties. I was watching fools to either get married, obtaining another certified copy of marriage license (the original marriage license went into the void), waiting to return listening to one's name to be called for jury duty, responding to the judge in New York Housing Court, NYS Court employees stride for lunch break, New York State Court Officers stride Civic Center with a high functioning air of arrogance, and waiting to be interrogated in nearby New York County Criminal Court 100 Centre Street. Overall, Thomas Paine Park is a clean park.

This was a nice park located near the Courthouses and the the brooklyn Bridge…read more Decent amount of trees and benches and was crowded at 1PM. It still was a nice place to simply stop and take a breather. It also seemed pretty safe given the large amount of law enforcement that is present due to the numerous courthouses. A few art installations were present. No other services were evident.

Finally. Years ago I…read moregave up trying to visit this enclosed bird sanctuary. Their opening hours were ridiculously restrictive and their group-only reservations hard to get. I'm not sure when, but their schedule is now very approachable, and everybody can get in with little to no wait. Somebody before me wrote that once you are inside this beautiful green space, it doesn't even feel like being in New York City. I'll add that it doesn't feel like being in Central Park, either. When this section of Central Park was created, this promontory was left wild on purpose (read about this in the picture I uploaded with its history). I'm not much of a bird watcher, but supposedly, this can be a wonderful place to watch these creatures. However, you don't need to be a bird passionate to enjoy this green space: towering trees, rugged boulders, clear vistas and even a waterfall (seasonal) make this a true gem to walk around. Paths are kept clean and dry, so you don't have to worry about getting your shoes muddy. They do specify that no more than 20 people at a time are allowed inside. However, I happened to drop by on a Tuesday afternoon around 4p (with gorgeous weather) and didn't have to wait to get in (nobody was at the entrance gate to check, so I'm not sure how they can reinforce this rule). Hours are advertised as follows: 10 AM to 30 minutes prior to sunset 7 days per week. Year round Hours are weather permitting and subject to change due to maintenance No more than 20 visitors may enter at a time. Visitors must stay on the trails at all times. Dogs, bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted. Carry out what you carry in. There are no trash cans in the Sanctuary.

It is a jungle out there !…read more Well you can make believe a little in Central Park. Birds can fly anywhere so what they did here was limit the park pathway, put a gate and less and open spaces to hopefully make the birds think they escaped the hustle and bustle of the city. Let me tell you some birds are real smart and can't be fooled so easily but they do appreciate the extra green. And if you suddenly got Bird watching fever after seeing a Nat-Geo TV show well you can come here with binocular in hand and hope you get lucky and spot a bird you don't see everyday in NY.

Great Lawn is gorgeous. What a beautiful blessing to have this much green space in the city. When…read moreit's nice out the whole park fills up - you have people sunbathing, parents out with their kids, groups of games of catch or softball - it's beautiful.

It was a special moment for me here at the Great Lawn in Central Park. Both my parents were in town…read moreto visit me, and it was a special feeling to show them my stomping grounds for the past 3 years. We went to Citarella, got a bunch of ingredients to make our own charcuterie board, and just had a DAY. I'm at the age now where my parents are more friends than parents, which is a beautiful phase of life. We dug into our build-your-own charcuterie and people watched, took naps, and just enjoyed each other's company. Central park never ceases to amaze me, as it provides such a breath of fresh air right smack in the middle of the busiest city in the world. So grateful for Nanc and Steve. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

A terrific little park in Greenwich. It honors an important part of history. St. Vincent's Hospital…read morewas an important facility in battling the AIDS virus. For a small park in a busy area it feels safe and clean. There's also an AIDS memorial. Among the features is the fountain. It's a popular spot in the summer. The other main structure is the AIDS Memorial. It's dedicated to the victims of the disease. The park was the site of the hospital that played an important part in fighting and learning about it. A few parts of the hospital are still here. The oldest part was turned into apartments, while a newer part is a non emergency care location. If you're around Washington Square Park you should also make your way here. It's a nice park but it's also very meaningful. There's a few cafes and restaurants close to here too.

This small greenspace is a park named for St. Vincent's Hospital, which also has an AIDS Memorial…read moreon site. It honors the hospital and staff which performed heroic work at the height of the AIDs epidemic at this facility which was close by. It served the area for more than 150 years and had quite the history from it's start back in 1849 until it's closure in 2010. The park is well maintained with plenty of shade trees and benches throughout.

Well for me it's a very spiritual place to be, I also know the true history of the park.. And…read morethat's the sad part , although it is a beautiful park.

The North Meadow of Central Park is one of my favorite spots. Beautiful trees in all seasons. Green…read moreluscious grass all summer. Clean walkways leading to recreational activities. Children playing, and owners walking dogs. If you look close this time of year you will spot squirrels scampering about. Birds of many species are available to the avid bird watchers. There are paths to follow and rocks to climb. I carry my little map. You don't want to take a wrong turn and get lost in the park. While you're exploring visit the North Meadow. Or maybe not! I'll have the peace and quiet to myself. There's plenty of benches to sit on while I Day Dream.

Fiorello La Guardia Park is a neighborhood park for property type owned and operated by NYC Parks…read more It is named for Fiorello La Guardia who served as the 100th Mayor of New York City from January 1, 1934 to January 1, 1946. He was indisputably a great mayor. He was a lifelong native New Yorker. There is an outdoor 1994 sculpture by artist Neil Estern and several inground descriptions of a brief biography, his public service elected appointments, date sculpture was dedicated and name of sculptor. I like engraved granite plaques or headstones. I abhor this pose for appearance as it depicts anger and resentment. I prefer a statue when he is standing holding, waving a hat in his right hand, mouth open with an exuberant expression and left hand holding papers or documents. It is in this photo La Guardia seemingly appear to enter a car behind him. Behind this statue is another encroached New York University (NYU) building property.

Located in the Greenwich Village area this is a sprawling park and green space surrounded by…read morebuildings in the background. It's namesake is former mayor Fiorello La Guardia who served the city from the 1930's to 1940's. There is a sculpture of him on the ground, well maintained greenery, benches to sit on, and a small children's playground. Nice spot to give your feet a rest when walking around the neighborhood.

"Dr. Ronald McNair Park is a green space in Brooklyn, New York, named after the second…read moreAfrican-American astronaut, honoring his legacy as a physicist and educator. The park features playgrounds, walking paths, and sports fields, serving as a community hub with historical markers about McNair. There is also a separate Dr. Ronald E. McNair Playground in Manhattan with a space-science theme. " I must have passed this park a million times and did not pay attention.. you could say I was lost in space....lol!! It is located between Classon and Washington Avenue, my route to Brooklyn Botanical Garden. More to come...

This nice little park tucked in between Eastern Parkway, Classon Avenue, and Washington Avenue, is…read morenamed after Dr. Ronald Erwin McNair, the second African-American astronaut to travel into space[1], who died in the space shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. A bronze portrait sculpture and reliefs depicting Dr. McNair's life by artist Ogundipe Fayomi[2] are installed on a red marble obelisk at the center of the park. The park was originally named after Brooklyn borough President Joseph Guider. In fact, there is a sculpture at the South side of the park remembering him. The park was named after Dr. McNair in 1986, the same year as the Challenger disaster. Towards the North side of the park there are benches and tables, and there are benches along the side of the park. The very south tip is actually fully enclosed by a fence, which is helpful if you are bringing a dog here, or a toddler who likes to run around. Or if you want to play the trumpet[3]. What I really like is the magnolia and cherry trees in this park. During COVID, when the Brooklyn Botanic Garden across the street was closed, the trees in McNair Park were the closest thing to the cherry blossom blooming festival/Sakura Matsuri you could get in Brooklyn. During the time they were in blossom in the spring of 2020, the cherry trees and magnolia trees at McNair Park provided a reminder that, in stressful times, you can still find beauty, peace, and an opportunity to just relax, albeit temporarily, next to home. ------------------ [1] Guion S. Bluford Jr. was the first one. More info here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/us/african-american-astronauts.html#:~:text=Bluford%20Jr.,-Years%20at%20NASA&text=In%201983%2C%20Bluford%20became%20the,aboard%20the%20Challenger%20space%20shuttle. [2] https://www.facebook.com/ogundipe.fayomi [3] https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dr-ronald-e-mcnair-park-brooklyn?select_video=u8OeKfPT6bKSJE0USrFW2Q

This small pocket park is located at the corer of West Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue. It is the…read moreformer site of the Golden Swan restaurant, which was demolished back in 1928 for the construction of the subway. The Parks Department acquired the land and opened this park in 1935 as a playground. And then in 2000, it was opened as a garden with trees, shrubbery and benches. We only stopped briefly to check it out, spotted two rats scurrying in the bushes, and then we skedaddled. Ick! It's a pretty spot, but that was not great. [Review 15658 overall - 254 in New York - 1162 of 2021.]

Sure, you can take a seat at one of the benches to relax but make sure the rats that scurry through…read morehere don't run up your legs! Just passing through here recently to head to the west 4th street subway stop I noticed a bunch of these varmints running around. Yuck. More like a pocket park with some shrubs, trails, a few benches, trees and such. Next to the subway stop and Washington Square Coffee Shop.