Battery Park

In my mind, cities have to have good parks to be livable. New York City has great parks. I’ve been here four days and have already wandered through five of them.

Last Thursday, I spent the morning exploring Battery Park, the 25-acre park that lies at the southern tip of Lower Manhattan. It looks west over the Hudson River towards New Jersey and south towards Liberty Island. I was facing south when I took these photos, and you can see the Statue of Liberty in the far distance.

Located in Battery Park is a poignant reminder of September 11, 2001. The Sphere is a piece of artwork by the German sculptor Fritz Koenig that used to stand at the base of the Twin Towers. Although damaged by the September 11 attacks, it remains intact and in March 2002 was temporarily placed in Battery Park, only blocks from the World Trade Center site, as a memorial.

Lower Manhattan is one giant construction site at the moment, what with the ongoing building of five skyscrapers at the World Trade Center site. But walking through Battery Park was a welcome respite from the noise and heat of the city. If done right, waterfront parks are special. Battery Park in Lower Manhattan is particularly special.