Although I walk through Madison Square Park twice a day, I often forget to take into account the changes happening around me. Caught up in my morning podcast or afternoon Spotify queue, I failed to notice the park’s grand gesture for sustainability. The two photos I captured on my commute to school represent the park’s campaign to leave the leaves on the ground throughout the fall and winter. Although the park seems unkept, in reality the initiative is a great support in the fight for New York’s sustainability. Leaving the leaves allows for increased soil nutrition, improving the grounds for fertility in the spring. In addition, the leaves create a more bearable climate for the microorganisms enduring the park’s brutal winters and harsh winds. Although the gesture may seem minimal, the act improves the park’s microenvironment and soil nutrition.
Madison Square Park is located in the heart of Flatiron, a relatively gentrified area where many wealthy local residents spend their time exercising and taking their children for strolls in the park. Although the leaves left behind may hurt the park’s aesthetic appeal, the residents can feel better knowing the leaves are a small price to pay for a more sustainable New York.
Honestly, whenever I strolled around an unraked park it made me think about the lack of park management that was present. I never even realized that there were certain initiatives to actually leave the leaves on the ground. In my opinion, this initiative is a truly excellent way to allow for nature to sustain itself without people’s interference. Now, whenever I see leaves on the ground I will think of the fact that these leaves are allowing the park to be sustained. Really great work Lauren!