Written by Anita Davison
Did somebody say spring?!
It finally happened, spring has sprung in NYC and although the temps dropped a little this past week, energy levels (as well as pollen levels) are on the rise in the city. Seeing all the cherry blossoms and greenery appearing all over town reminds me of how pretty Manhattan really is after the gloominess of a long cold winter.
We spent Sunday afternoon at Sakura Park (Riverside Drive & Seminary Row/121st street) celebrating Jasper’s school friends 3rd birthday and it was just so nice to be running around in the park and taking in the beautiful sights around us.
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The day to celebrate ‘us’ is almost here, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday May 10 this year. It’s an interesting day; some mums love to spend the day with their families (after the obligatory sleep in), others like to run for the hills and take some much needed time out! How do you plan to celebrate? Whether it be brunch, lunch or a day at the spa, whatever you do, I hope it’s a special one.
To all the mums near and far, the mums to be and the mums we will honour in memory – I wish you a beautiful & happy Mother’s Day.
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Whether you head out on the 10th or another weekend, here are just some of the best places to spend a day with the family and see the magnificent cherry blossoms in all their glory…
Randall’s Island Cherry Blossom Festival – East Harlem
The annual event is on Saturday May 2. As well as the cherry blossoms, families can partake in kite flying, face painting, a butterfly release, craft, games and more! As well as view an exhibition of locally made Japanese pottery from Togei Kyoshitsu Studio NYC and performances by the Okinawa Dance Group & NY Taiko Aiko Kai. (www.randallsisland.org)
Riverside Drive Cherry Walk – Riverside Park from 100th to 125th Streets
Here you will also find Sakura Park, which owes its name to the more than 2000 cherry trees delivered to parks in New York City from Japan in 1912. The word sakura means “cherry blossom” in Japanese. (www.nycgovparks.org)
Queens Botanical Garden Cherry Circle – Flushing
New York Botanical Garden – Bronx
More than 200 flowering cherry trees are planted across the Garden’s historic landscape, and their cheerful pink and white blossoms follow shortly after the magnolias in spring. (www.nybg.org)
Central Park – Manhattan
We all love Central Park and the plethora of space and activity it has to offer, so of course there are a number of spots to find cherry blossoms including; Cherry Hill mid-park at 72nd Street just west of Bethesda Terrace, East Drive at 66th Street, the bridal path at 90th Street and the east side of the Boathouse at 74th Street. (www.centralpark.com)
Brooklyn Botanical Garden – Brooklyn
BBG’s hundreds of cherry trees bloom at different times during a spectacular five-week display. This map is updated every weekday during cherry season. (www.bbg.org)
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If you have further suggestions on great places to go in May, post them to the Mums & Bubs Facebook page for all to see.
Anita
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 