Rockefeller Park & The Real World

This is the conclusion of the walk I took along the Battery Park City Park Esplanade that runs along a portion of lower Manhattan west side along the Hudson River from Chambers Street to historical Battery Park...part one can be read here, and part two here. This beautiful walkway is filled with wonderful walkways, parks, meadows and flower beds. I am now in the section known as the Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, located in the north end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace. The fountain in the photo above emptied into a man made pond.  You can see the stone top of the Irish Hunger Memorial in the background, and beyond that is the construction of the Freedom Tower on the former World Trade Center site. (all photos will enlarge when clicked on once and then click on once again when they open on a new page.)

This happy looking duck in the pond was enjoying his view of the Hudson River

Rockefeller Park contains most of Battery Park Conservancy Parks’ wide lawns, as well as a large playground, plantings and gardens, several public art pieces, and a sheltered pavilion. This playground contains a peddle-propelled carousel, climbing, running and jumping equipment for all different ages, plus sprinklers, swings and sand boxes.

The Rockefeller Park House loans board games and ping pong paddles, balls and jump ropes and has a first aid kit if needed.  A basketball and a handball court are nearby. 

The park is overseen by the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, which provides amazing array of children's programs from May 1 to October 31.

Many of the flower beds in the park were filled with bushes filled with delightful large hibiscus flowers!

I also spotted lots of pink lilies, echinacea, and wild roses.

One of the large lawns in the park with a view of Jersey City, New Jersey, which is located across the Hudson River.

The most magical place in Rockefeller Park is Tom Otterness' "The Real World," which is a small sculpture garden at the northeast end of the park, bordering River Terrace.

Small bronze footprints wind a path toward the circular wading pool, where water rushes in at one end and sweeps out the other.

Tiny whimsical creatures lurk everywhere; on top of tables, and underfoot, even on top of lamp-posts.

The Park House will loan chess or checkers pieces if you'd like to play.

This bird better watch out as the cat has his eye on him!

A close up at all the detail in the fountain. A penny for your thoughts?

Is this frog a prince in disguise?  The Battery Park City building that houses the Poet's House can be seen in the background

This was my favorite sculpture. It is a working water fountain that has a friendly brass bulldog chained to it!

A photo collage of some more of the fanciful figures in the sculpture garden!

The Battery Park City Park Esplanade ends in the vicinity of Stuyvesant High School, which is located at 345 Chambers Street. Stuyvesant is a specialized high school for mathematics, science and technology, and is one of the premier high schools in the United States. It is noted for its strong academic programs, and has produced many notable alumni, including four Nobel laureates. Run by the New York City Department of Education, it is open to New York City residents and charges no tuition. Admission is by competitive examination.   I'm proud to say that my son is an alumnus, and was one of the first classes to attend the high school when this new building opened in Battery Park City in 1992, when the school was moved from the former east side location that was built in 1904.  We have witnessed quite a bit of the development of Battery Park City through the years, and even through the events of 9-11 severely effected the quality of life in that area for some time, the neighborhood has rebounded and is thriving and is definitely better than ever. 

The Battery Park City Park Esplanade is a wonderful place to visit and I hope you enjoyed walking along with me to see all it's interesting sights!

I'm linking to "Pink Saturday" on Beverly's blog "How Sweet The Sound."  One of my favorite blogs to visit on Pink Saturday is Susan's blog Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen.  Please visit Beverly to see the list of participating Pink Saturday blogs to visit and drop by Susan's and say hello!