Community Magazine June 2003

40 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE s ” xc Rockefeller Park Vesey Street on the Hudson River, Lower Manhattan 212-416-5300 Travel time from Flatbush: 30 minutes Admission: Free. Open Daily from dawn until dusk. Venue: Completely weather dependent. Cooler and breezy near the water. Parking on the side streets adjacent to the park. There’s nothing like a beautiful summer Sunday (or any day for that matter) in the park to make everyone happy and refreshed. The weather’s gorgeous, the world of nature is bursting with loveliness, the kids’ exuberance is contagious, and a lovely well laid-out park is the perfect choice for the day. Our neighborhood in Flatbush is graced by several enjoyable public parks, suitable for the enjoyment of young and old. But if you feel like just a little bit more excursion, pack up the kids, some snacks, and visit my very favorite public park. Roosevelt Park and its playground are located on the lower west side of Manhattan, about 1 mile north of the Battery Tunnel, right on the Hudson River. Just south of the park, is a small mooring where you can ogle at 50 foot yachts, and their accoutrements. From there, take a cool, breezy stroll north along the broad river promenade. If you are in the mood, the seas are calm, (and you do not got seasick,) you may opt to take a round-trip on the ferry to NJ and back. Even if you don’t take the ride, you and your kids will have a good time watch- ing the ferry dock and depart. A little further north is a small pool with large orange fish. Break out the snacks, sit on the benches, and enjoy feeding yourselves and the fish. Take out your camera and seat the kids (carefully) on the pool’s edge for a lovely shot. Continue north about 200 feet to the playground, and enter the fully enclosed playground area through the kid proof gate. The park itself is built with kid safety foremost in mind, so you can relax and let your kids play. The younger set (3-10) will love the pedal-powered kid carousel - charming and different. Everyone will enjoy the modern climbing apparatus - towers, bridges, and an addictive yellow circular slide. The sandbox comes with pails and shovels, and a special area where your kids can stand at tables while building castles, without getting full of sand. Your car will be cleaner and less scratchy. In the warmest weather you certainly should bring water gear for the little ones. The double sprinkler system is on a timer, and is controlled by a button your children can push when ready for more of the wet stuff. The water shoots out of an ele- phant’s trunk (sure to get a squeal out of the kids). Doggie- shaped fountains along the wall add to the water fun for those who wish to stay on the sidelines (and a little drier). There is plenty of seating for parents. Choose from shady spots under the gazebo, or benches where you can catch a few rays of sun. Restrooms are in a stand-alone building about 100 feet north of the playground entrance. Be sure to close the kid-gate as you exit. Remember, this is a playground for kids. The choice location, thoughtful planning and exemplary safety of this park and its playground make this a wonderful destination, but the fun-factor clinches the deal. See you at the carousel. Out About B Y : B A T Y A A N T E B Y CM