An Unexpected Acre of Green on Earth Day

I was walking in New York City on the north side of East 51st Street between Second and Third Avenues, looking for a place to grab a snack between meetings.  Suddenly, a small sign placed on the sidewalk directed me to make an immediate right turn.  But instead of Starbucks, I entered into another world – Greenacre Park.
Although there are numerous parks in New York City, I must admit that Greenacre is special.  First of all, it’s located in the middle of a row of commercial and residential buildings, so it can easily be missed if you’re not looking for it.  Second, the entire park is slightly smaller than a tennis court.  Third, it has three levels including exquisite foliage, and a dramatic 25-foot-high waterfall composed of huge sculpted granite blocks, leading to a trickling “brook” running through the park.
As I later discovered, I was not alone in being amazed.  Greenacre Park has gained recognition as “one of the best parks in the world.”  It was opened in 1971 for the people of New York City, funded entirely by the late Mrs. Jean Mauze, founder of the Greenacre Foundation, in the “hope that they will find here some moments of serenity in this busy world.”  The park continuies to be owned and privately maintained by the Greenacre Foundation, and has won numerous awards for design and civic betterment from professional groups and associations.  Greenacre Park is open from March through December.
As I soaked in the beauty of the environment and the tranquility I felt in the midst of chaos, I couldn’t help thinking how appropriate it was that I made this discovery on Earth Day!