Almost nothing restores the human spirit faster than the great outdoors. The simple act of looking at a beautiful flower, plant or tree makes one feel as if “God is in his Heaven all’s right with the world”  -- courtesy of Robert Browning, the British poet. Keeping this in mind I’ve decided to explore a topic that includes both New Orleans and New York City. And yes, they both have a great relationship with Mother Nature – so let’s start with New Orleans first.

The spectacular City Park in New Orleans

CITY PARK: THE WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF MATURE LIVE OAK TREES

New Orleans is home to some of the most stunning parks in the country. City Park’s 1,300 acres are in the heart of the city. Remarkably, it’s one of the oldest parks in the country (around since 1854). You can take a gondola ride, go fishing or have a picnic by one of the bayous or lagoons.

ARMSTRONG PARK: A STUNNING ARCHWAY OFFERS A WARM WELCOME TO ALL

This park is named after one of the city’s most celebrated native sons, Louis Armstrong. Festivals, celebrations and concerts that honor the musical traditions of New Orleans are often held here. At the south end you’ll find Congo Square, an historic open-air gathering place of slaves and free people of color throughout the 19th century.  

WOLDENBERG PARK: 16 ACRES OF GREENERY FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE FRENCH QUARTER

One can begin or end a walk in this Park with a visit to the Audubon Aquarium where you’ll see a 90 ft. water feature. There is also a riverside jogging path and picnic spots or waterfront benches that offer some of the city’s best views of the river traffic on the Mississippi.

AUDUBON PARK: A SCENIC RIDE ON THE ST. CHARLES STREETCAR GOES RIGHT TO THE ENTRANCE

This park dates back to 1898. Sprawling green lawns can be found in every corner along with stunning oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Best of all, there’s the Audubon Zoo where one can look at whooping cranes, leopards, tigers and the mysterious white alligator.

THE GARDEN DISTRICT: THE NAME SAYS IT ALL -- THIS 134-ACRE SPOT HAS MANSIONS AND MORE

This neighborhood’s beauty is best experienced up-close and on foot. However, we hasten to add that the St. Charles streetcar affords great views of this area with its giant oaks and oversized azaleas. But now it’s time to move on to the latest “greenery” news from New York City.

THE LITTLE ISLAND: IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING – AND FINALLY – IT’S HERE IN NYC

Little Island is a brand new public playground that is: (1) a floating island, (2) a pier and, (3) a park – that’s quite a combo. It has 35 species of trees, and 65 of shrubs plus 270 varieties of grasses, perennials, vines and bulbs.

A dramatic aerial view of the 2.4-acre Little Island: an amazing structure – note the 700-seat amphitheater in the foreground

The location itself is amazing. It is in the Hudson River just off West 14th Street or, said differently: a mere 200 feet from busy Eleventh Avenue.

Behind all this is the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation that is headed by former Hollywood mogul, Barry Diller who has paid for the whole project – even when it ended up costing more than twice the original estimate of $130 million. Do the math.  

“We had our first meeting on it 10 years ago, and I am kind of surprised it’s actually opening,” says Diller in an interview with the New York Post newspaper. 

The whole project is on a platform supported by 132 CONCRETE TULIPS – that are mounted on pilings where the old Pier 54 stood. And make no mistake – they look absolutely spectacular. Probably the most photogenic tulips in the Western Hemisphere – when I first saw them the hair went up on the back of my neck.

IT’S A COMPACT, ROLLING WONDERLAND that seems much larger than its 2.4 acres – mainly because of its peaks, valleys and serpentine walkways. It has three main areas: (1) a playground with snacks, (2) an amphitheater with 700 seats, and (3) a “Glade” area for peace and quiet.

Little Island is FREE and open daily from 6 am to 1 am. For General Contact: info@littleisland.org for Ticketing Contact: please use ticketing@littleisland.org    

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Whether you plan to visit the cities of New Orleans or New York in the next six months or so – you’ll have a great time (as a reward for making it through a calamitous pandemic that upended the entire world). No matter, it’s time for you and yours to enjoy yourself.

PLEASE CHECK THE WEB for any additional information about the parks that we mention in this blog.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick