Riverside Park- Manhattan, NYC
Riverside park is a spectacular water front park along the Hudson River on NYC’s Upper West side, lined with malls and winding walkways and car-free bike paths.
Much of this park consists of rolling hills and massive rocks carved by glaciers around which there are playgrounds, recreational areas dog parks and plenty of room to lay or play. Urban green spaces like these allow people to be around nature while still being in the city. They promote physical activity and relief of stress by providing spaces for relaxation and a tranquil escape from New York’s bustling streets.
Mediums or islands of mowed turf grass throughout the length of the concrete mall in the center of the paved walkways help connect the two green spaces. This makes it more likely for organisms to travel between them, increasing their habitat, and helps to maximize services the parks provide. The more green the better!
Turf in urban green spaces offers regulating services of absorbing rainfall and reducing water runoff, stabilizing soil and nutrients, purifying air and water, and even temperature control and lowering noise pollution.
As you walk the length of the mall you will come across enclosed gardens like these filled with a variety of ornamental plants and flowers that encourage pollination and beautify the walkway during warmer months