The Many Paths in Central Park

The past few days had gone by with NYCity Mama not feeling quite herself.  Fighting a cold and feeling exhausted had kept her homebound for two days, which is huge for her and the boys as they are always doing something or another. Today however, she was feeling not 100%, but a lot better, and this was enough to get her motivated to go for a 6AM jog in Fort Tryon park and plan a few hours with the boys in Central Park in the afternoon.

The boys were in an especially good and sweet mood, they have been for weeks and Mama wonders if they are simply growing out of something and into something else.  Whatever it is, she’s loving it!

They took the C train to 72nd St and Central Park West.  It was perfect out, not too hot, not too cold, and sunny. Mama had made reservations to see a marionette production of Peter Pan at the Swedish Cottage’s Marionette Theatre in Central Park.  Mama had walked by the theatre many times before, knew the surroundings pretty well also, but somehow the minute she walked along the path off of 72nd St in Central Park she felt she had lost her way and realized she was completely disoriented. Finally she came upon a few older men who worked as volunteers for the Central Park Conservancy and they informed her that not only was she on the wrong side of the park (she made a right turn instead of a left on the path), she was also too far to make it to the last show on time.

 

“I want to see Peter Pan!” cried her 3.5 year old.

“I can’t find Peter Pan’s house,” Mama responded, “but I have something better.  Wanna see?”

“Yeaaaah!” cheered the boys.

She thanked the men, happily accepted the map of the park they offered her (she feels now that every New Yorker, not just tourists, needs one), and continued down one of the many paths.

She walked past musicians, open lawns with people sunbathing and reading.  She walked past several large rocks on top of which young men and women kissed, played their instruments, or just talked.  The boys stopped to climb rocks, pick up sticks, chase pigeons or squirrels, and pet dogs.

 

As they walked through one of the many tunnels, they could hear music echoing through.

“It’s the circus!” exclaimed her 3.5 year old jumping in excitement. “Circus! Circus!” repeated the 2.5 yr old who has never been to one.

“No, but it’s something just as fun!” responded Mama.

They reached the other side and came upon The Carousel.  When Mama’s 11 year old was about the same age as her little ones now, Mama used to spend hours upon hours at the carousel.  Back then the ride was only $1.00 (now it’s $2.00) and Mama would let her son ride a few times before sitting down on one of the benches eating ice cream and watching the horses go round and round.

It  made her nostalgic to be here again, as a mother of little ones, and that the carrousel is still there for her to offer to her children as a fun pastime. 

The great thing about weekdays in the park is that there aren’t many crowds for anything.  Mama quickly purchased three tickets and was able to get on the ride right away.  Her boys seemed somewhat nervous, as the only other carousel they have gotten on was at the County Fair and that was significantly smaller.

Her little one seemed apprehensive and even shaky at first and her older toddler didn’t really now what to expect. She got them on, put on their straps, and the ride started to turn.  Almost immediately the boy began to laugh.  The ride is fast and considerably long.  The beautiful, antique, and well maintained horses go up and down, and the carousel itself is old and beautiful, charming in so many ways.

“Wooooohoooooo!” her 2.5 kept yelling out. “Giddy-up! Giddy-up!” yelled her 3.5 year old. Of the few kids there, hers were the ones making the most noise.

As the ride began to slow down Mama worried that they would make a scene, so she told them the horses were tired and needed to rest.  She was surprised and happy to see that this was enough to get them off and out without a sound of discontent.

“I have another surprise for you” she told her boys. “Yaaaaaaay!” they yelled in unison.

A short walk straight up the hill from the carrousel Mama led them to one of the best and biggest play areas in Central Park, Hecksher Playground.  With over 3 acres of play area, this playground has it all.  Climbing rocks for both big and small, smooth, cushioned patches for little crawlers to venture on, sandbox galore, slides, swings, and several water play areas and four restrooms.  The boys saw this place and they went nuts, immediately running away together to the nearest climbing section they could find.

They spent hours playing there, taking only one bathroom break the entire time.  The boys played and ran and chased and jumped and slid, it was no surprise to Mama that eventually they both came up to her rubbing their eyes and wanting to go home.

So she led them back towards the carousel, let them get on one more time before “the horses got tired again”, bought them some popcorn and treated herself to a good ol’ fashion New York City hot dog. 

The boys rested for a bit before making their way back out the park.

“I love the circus and the park, Mama,” said her 3.5 year old.

“That was the carousel, sweetheart, but yes, it has music like the circus.  Do you want to come back?” Mama asked.

“Yes,” he responded, “but next time let’s bring Daddy and (her 11 yr old) cause that was fun!”

“Ok, sweetheart, we will. Next time the whole family will come back together, ok?”

“Yaaaaaaaaaaay!” the boys cheered in unison.

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Tags: NY Parks, nyc
Posted in Cool Finds | 7 Comments »