Archive for February, 2009

The Central Park, New York

February 12th, 2009 -- Posted in The Central Park | Comments

Perhaps the most visited park in the United States is the Central Park in New York, and not only that, it has been a National Historical Landmark since 1963. If you want to experience an environment of natural beauty in the middle of one of the most bustling and urban cities in the world this is the place to come to.

Even though most of the park looks natural, it is actually mostly landscaped and designed. It contains some very beautiful relaxation points near the lakes and ponds which look perfectly natural. Stretching over an enormous area, the park contains some very well maintained walking tracks and dog runs, along with two very popular ice skating rinks. The park also boasts of its very own Central Park Zoo and a conservatory garden. Lovers of nature can find themselves lost in the vast acres of natural woods and a well protected wildlife sanctuary. The park also hosts an annual theatre festival, called the “Shakespeare in the park”. This is held in their own outdoor amphitheatre. Various sports can also be played on the park’s grounds, either informal or formal sporting competitions, it is open to all. There are also some quiet zones in the park, where one can spend some alone – time in leisure. There are also some playgrounds where children with their guardians can spend a day out. Operas are also held along with annual open air concerts. Central Park also has some landscaped glaciated rocks which is a great attraction for climbers.

The park boasts of its natural habitat for a host of wildlife species. However, the park is most popular among bird watchers, as its ponds and woods is a major attraction for a wide variety of migrating birds, especially during the spring or the fall. Almost two hundred different kinds of birds can be spotted inside the park premises on any given day during such a season.

There are some interesting ways in which the entire park can be viewed. Carriages, which are a symbolic institution of the city, are frequently used by visitors to travel around the park. However, their use has recently come into a lot of scrutiny because of animal activists who claim of inhumane treatment of the horses. Besides this, the use of Pedi cabs is also a great way of viewing the whole park.

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Park for a Day

February 12th, 2009 -- Posted in Park for a Day | Comments

The rush of the city life in New York can get jostling for most. For a heart-to-heart with nature and one of the prettiest sights that the city has to offer, one can take a walk down the Hudson River. What can be even more of a treat is a walk through the Hudson River Park, alongside the river, enjoying the beauty of the river and the serenity of nature.

The park is mostly famous for the different recreational facilities that it provides, which includes organized sporting events or leisure activities and even fun activities for children to enjoy. The best feature about the Park is its long, almost five mile bike riding pathway that run’s along the whole length of the park.  There is also a similar path for runners and other pedestrians.

The Park is thus ideal for spending a day released from the usual daily grind. The park is scattered with a range of courts and fields for different kinds of sports to be enjoyed. The park boasts of its very own soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, children’s playgrounds, skating grounds and a dog run. The park also provides for recreational piers at the Watergates, here there are places to fish for free along with other activities such as rowing and building of boats. There is also a very active Water Taxi stop here. You could also bring your dog for a day out here, as near the pier there is one of the best dog-runs in the city, and also for those with an empty stomach, a restaurant to fill your appetite. On the roof of one of the Piers, the New York Trapeze School operates. The largest of all the sporting complexes inside the Hudson River Park, is the Chelsea Piers Sporting Complex, holding a vast range of athletic grounds. This includes an immensely popular batting cage, an ice skating rink, driving grounds, gymnastic floors and best of all – rock climbing spaces. The premises also include other outdoor activities such as boating facilities and casual restaurants. The Hudson River Park has a long time heritage connected to the river and in keeping with this; there are special piers where canoeing, sailing and kayaking opportunities are provided.

Lastly, for those looking for some non – athletic leisure, there are perfect open and grassy spaces for just lazing around and acquiring the perfect tan.

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