Photos 11 Apr 2010 08:00 am
Stuyvesant Square – Photos
- One of the brilliant aspects about the design of New York City is the multifarious number of public parks, both large and small. In fact, there are so many you often walk past them without even noticing they’re there. The only time they become “there” is when they’re in your way. Then you’re forced to take notice.
One such park, for me is called “Stuyvesant Square.” This is a park cut in half by Second Avenue, located between 15th St. and 18th St. Each half is about half a city block wide.
Though I’d driven past it hundreds of times I never really noticed it. However, once I had to go to the Beth-Israel Hospital (which all of my primary care doctors seem to use) I had to take notice. You see, any of the entrances to the hospital are on 16th St. off First Ave.
To get to those entrances, you have to cross the Eastern half of the park. This means cabs going downtown have to go to blocks out of their way – to 14th St. – and circle around the park to First Ave. before they can drive back to 16th St. An extra dollar or two on the meter.
The Eastern half is the section that blocks all traffic trying to get
to the entrance and Emergency entrtrance of Beth Israel Hospital.
That entranece lies on 16th St. in between the two big buildings.
This week, I had a half hour to kill before an appointment,
so I visited both halves of this attractive and small park.
This is the main entrance to the West half of the park.
It would appear to be the principal part of the whole in that
it’s the more occupied and the more decorated.
Naturally, as with all NY parks, there’s a statue of its namesake, Peter Stuyvesant.
Looking down on this part of the park is St. George’s Episcopal Church.
A sturdy looking building if ever there was one. Very attractive.
Friends Seminary School is across 16th St. from the church.
The two lateral halves of the park shoot out several blocks.
It’s Spring, so all the trees are brilliantly in bloom.
The colorful trees really are an uplifting sight
for the short rest you can take in this park.
Copious flowers have been recently planted to celebrate the
wonderful (and probably short) Spring we’re experiencing in the City.
Across Second Ave. the Eastern half of Stuyvesant Square
is slightly more bare of blossoms – at least when I was there.
The flowers seem to bunched together.
There’s a very large dog walk which consumes at least a third of this
half of the park. It was being well used by plenty of dogs and owners.
However two hours later, the dog walk seemed to have disappeared.
It had been changed to an area where dogs were now leashed and
the general public seem to be walking about – without dogs.
Do they just close this at certain times for the dogs?
The center of this half of the park features a wading pool
which, for now, was closed to the public.
Off to my procedure. I walked through the park and into the 16th St.
entrance of the hospital. Relaxed thanks to the half hour sit among the flowers.
On Tuesday I’ll go in for an operation that should keep me there for a week. Hopefully,
I’ll have a room that looks down on the park.
on 11 Apr 2010 at 8:20 am 1.Mark Mayerson said …
I don’t know the reason for your surgery, but of course I wish you a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
Best of luck to you, Mike.
on 11 Apr 2010 at 9:52 am 2.steve fisher said …
Michael: Wishing you all the best. Steve.
on 11 Apr 2010 at 10:24 am 3.John Celestri said …
I,too, wish you a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
My best to you, Michael.
John
on 11 Apr 2010 at 12:36 pm 4.richard o'connor said …
Best of luck, and let us know if you need visitors bearing flowers and candy.
Rutherford Place (I think that’s the street bordering the park) is gem of New York City.
on 11 Apr 2010 at 12:56 pm 5.Pierre said …
I’ll keep you in my prayers for a quick and speedy recovery!
Pierre
on 11 Apr 2010 at 6:34 pm 6.Jeff Watson said …
Wishing you no complications and a quick recover!
Jeff
on 11 Apr 2010 at 7:17 pm 7.Bill said …
Hans came through, we’ve come through and so will you. Our prayers are with you. A stack of scans will be waiting for you when you get back. God Speed.
on 12 Apr 2010 at 12:05 pm 8.Michael Polvani said …
Mike,
A SPEEDY recovery to you!
I know first hand what it’s like in the hospital for an extended stay.
All the best to you!
Michael
on 12 Apr 2010 at 2:13 pm 9.Larry Ruppel said …
Mike,
I’d like to add my honest and sincere wish for a full recovery from whatever it is that ails you.
During your stay, I suggest either catching up on your reading or bringing a laptop to watch some films. If you’re stuck watching daytime TV you’ll surely fall into a state of depression that none of the hospital’s fancy (and expensive) pills will be able to cure.
Cheers!
on 13 Apr 2010 at 4:23 pm 10.Holly Stallings said …
Michael, Here’s to a speedy recovery! I have been thinking about you! Just saw “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”. Loved it! I really think it should have won the Oscar. Take care!
on 01 Apr 2011 at 3:01 pm 11.Penelope said …
Thank you for these lovely pix. This was my “first” New York park. It’s pretty and tucked away.