What’s the Best Park in Your City?
When my friends from the countryside come to New York, I try to take them to the park. They live ten minutes from real forest hikes, but I still drag them to Prospect Park, like “Look, you can hardly see the car from this path!” Parks, which democratize free public resources, play an important role in ensuring livability in the city. So I want to hear about the best in your city, the ones worth visiting across the city, the best skate parks and playgrounds, open lawns and islands, pocket parks and community gardens.
What do you like most about the parks in your city? Prospect Park has an ice rink and a jogging fountain for children. Bryant Park has table tennis tables and free ball support staff. There’s this guy in Dolores Park in San Francisco who sells marijuana cakes.
What’s the worst thing about your local parks and how do you deal with it? For me, it’s the crowds in Manhattan’s High Line that I deal with by walking along the waterfront instead. Is there an overlooked part of your favorite park? (Don’t worry, Lifehacker might be popular, but leaving a comment won’t bring tourists to your quiet place – at best, a few of your neighbors may show up.)
What’s your favorite event in the parks in your city? Is there any activity or volunteer work that you enjoy? Is there a new attraction opening or renovation? For most of us, this is the peak parking time above the equator, but what could bring you to the park in the middle of winter or on a rainy day? (The North Avenue Lawn is great for sledding.)
Leave your park tips in the comments – don’t forget to actually name the park and city – and we’ll show you the best ones in the Staff tab.