Discovering Nature Along the Hudson River in New York City

On a warm June afternoon, I'm on a balcony in Lowerup the island, thanks to a bicycle and a pedestrian lane.
Manhattan, watching the choppy waters of theI've seen a squirrel sitting on a bench sharing food with
Hudson River ahead of an impending thunderstorm.three people. In another park a squirrel nibbled a walnut
The lush willows and basswoods are tall enough towhile posing for an artist. The artist had a tray of
block New Jersey buildings and the light breeze off thewalnuts; the squirrel would take one, hop ten feet
water carries the scent of basswood flowers. Thisaway and literally resume its pose, spinning the walnut
urban environment has evolved from a weed-strewnand nibbling the meat. In most other places the squirrels
rubble heap (created when the World Trade Centerrun away once they've gotten their treasure. Robins,
was built) into a well-designed living complex for thesparrows and finches go on about their daily lives with
birds, squirrels, pets and humans who live here.no fear of joggers, dog walkers, toddlers, strollers, or
I don't know who decided to plant native trees, shrubstraffic. There's a surprising poetry to this habitat.
and ground cover here, but the plant life is thriving. II've been meditating on the issue of sprawl and it
shared a feast of shadbush berries, one of myoccurs to me that a well-designed city might be the
favorite wild edibles, with a squirrel and a pigeon. Ianswer to protecting habitat. The key words are
watched a house finch feed its newly-fledged chick.WELL DESIGNED. As I explore one of the best
What is most striking is how wildlife has the freedomwalking habitats in the world, I notice that some city
to ignore humans. This would be dangerous behaviorparks are designed for dog walking, others are
anywhere else but Manhattan Island.dog-free. Some green spaces have sprinklers, a
I moved to New York in 1976 and lived in the city untilwelcome respite from heat so oppressive that a
1996. Most of that time I was on Elizabeth Street nearstagnant air advisory is in effect. In some parks
the Liz Christy Garden, where I was a gardener forfamilies picnic, children romp, artists paint, draw, sing. I
several years.guess limited space forces people to make sensible
I would not have survived without that garden, nowuse of what they have.
re-opened to the public after two years. A few of theI'm struck by the number of people who stop me to
same gardeners are still around. This garden hasask where Ground Zero is. I remember visiting New
survived relentless attempts to destroy it, including theYork City with my parents as a child before those
high rise now looming behind it and (fond as I am oftowers were built and I remember what I was doing
them) a Whole Foods across the street, which willboth times the towers were bombed: February 26,
block sunlight to the garden. The tiny birch tree is huge1993 and September 11, 2001.
and the atlas blue cedar survived. Different plants willFive years ago the Battery Park City Parks
grow in this enduring sanctuary. I wrote a Liz ChristyConservancy began offering free music and art
tribute in 1995. I feel equally passionate walking throughevents. On this visit I sat by the Hudson on a cloudy
this modern miracle 11 years later. I would consider mymorning attempting to capture the color of the Hudson
live well lived if I had a legacy like that of Liz Christy.using watercolors. I joined 75-100 people all sitting on a
I can walk a lot faster and farther on paved surfaceslawn singing popular songs while a raging red sunset
than on the trail. I still have muscle memory of Newchanged the color of the river.
York streets, although many shops have changedChange is constant and there's a resiliency about New
location. I can walk along the Hudson River all the wayYork that is truly heart-warming.