Midtown Gardens

After a nice chat and some take-out in our air-conditioned pad, I sent Dan back to the office after lunch on Wednesday, and braved the August heat myself, looking for adventure. I was on a mission- MUST SEE MORE GARDENS- and more of NYC too, while I had the chance. For some reason I feel a renewed sense of urgency to explore the city lately, before we say good-bye to the Epicenter-of-the-Universe, forever.

So off I went. I took the 4 train to Grand Central and walked east, to First Ave. My first stop: the United Nations.

Now I hadn't been to the UN since I was a kid and a tourist. I won't even say how many years ago that is! But it goes without saying that I remember next to nothing about the area from that time. So it was with fresh eyes that I checked out the neighborhood, and the UN complex itself. My garden guide told me there were manicured lawns and a rose garden to explore within the grounds, so I decided it was worth it to brave security to see what lay within. I went along with all the foreign tourists (not too many Yanks that I could see) and landed in the entrance hall.

It was quite lovely! I spent just a few minutes checking out some museum displays on the main floor: some African and Korean art, and a series of portraits of all the UN Secretaries General, done in Persian rug style- sent to the UN from the current president of Iran. Interesting. I can only marvel at the realpolitik that motivated that gift.

Eager to see the outside gardens, I quickly left through some revolving doors, pausing briefly to admire the metalwork I found there.

Sadly, the grounds were closed for renovation! Rather disappointed, I took what few photos I could and headed back to the street, vowing to return next summer, when the roses would be in full bloom.

In a crosswalk at FDR drive I visited a memorial to Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish businessman and diplomat who worked tirelessly to save Hungarian Jews from Nazi extermination during WWII. He disappeared following the war, his whereabouts unknown.

I turned left onto E47th Street and entered Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, another park featured in my garden guide. While there is a garden tucked away in there, I never saw it. Instead I checked out the farmer's market spread along the sidewalk, and two gardens across the street on that block.

The Japan Society has an indoor garden centered around its stairwells. It is small, but well-tended, with a nice waterfall to quiet the sounds of voices and footsteps in the lobby. The Society is celebrating its 100th year with a full calendar of events, aimed at furthering understanding between Japan and the USA.

Practically next door, and across from Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, is Holy Family Church and its pretty outdoor garden just off the street, also open to the public. I liked its koi-filled pond and stopped to ponder a modern sculpture near its front gate.

At the corner of 47th and 2nd, I discovered a small plaza not in my garden guide. Seems that every park in midtown comes equipped with waterfall white noise.........

After a brief respite here I headed north on 2nd Avenue, on my way to my final destination on the garden tour for the day: GreenAcre Park. I passed a pleasing sign, honoring a late and famous neighborhood resident, who also happens to be my favorite actress of all time. We miss you, Kate!

Ah, GreenAcre Park. Who knew you existed? And yet this makes it one of my top picks for parks that I've visited in New York. It's truly a well-kept secret, a neighborhood oasis. Compared favorably to Paley Park by some, I consider it distinctly superior because of its larger size, and many spaces. Plus, the waterfall looks more like the real deal and less a modern objet d'art. It was so serene- people brought their lunches and books and newspapers to read, and they stayed a while.