KIDZ CONNECTION PAGE 30 theconnectionsnj.com 3 + By Joanne Kleinle Get Ready for an Adventure- in New York’s Central Park! As winter fades away and spring approaches, I can’t help thinking of Mary Poppins grabbing the hands of the Banks children and heading out for a glorious day in the park to “fly a kite.” We are so fortunate to have so many public parks in our area where we can do just that on a gusty spring day. Even better, if you are looking to make your day in the park into a real “stay-cation,” you should pack up your family and head into New York’s Central Park. This massive 843-acre oasis in our backyard is world famous and for good reason. It has something for everyone from history buffs to architecture aficionados to geologists to people (and dogs) just looking to run, row, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon with nature. You could easily spend days just walking through this beautiful park, climbing on the incredible rock formations, and looking at the beautiful bridges and sculptures throughout. If you have a family in tow, though, you might want to be prepared and have a few interactive activities in your back pocket to keep the crew from getting restless. For a full listing of all that the park has to offer, including fees and special events, you should explore the website at www.centralparknyc.org. Here are my family favorites: (These are also great ideas if you are entertaining people from out of town who want to explore New York City in a whole new way.) The most famous spot in the park might be the Central Park Zoo, and for good reason. The zoo is not large-it can be done in half a day if you do not linger. It has an amazing collection of animals from tropical, temperate, and polar zones that rival zoos that are much larger- including the best penguin exhibit that I have seen anywhere! Be sure to note the sea lion feeding times as you enter. You do not want to miss it! The zoo also includes a children’s zoo with sheep, goats, a pot-bellied pig, and the only cow in Manhattan. If you have Mary Poppins on your mind, no trip to the park would be complete without visiting the historic carousel. Located mid-park around 65th Street, the carousel has more than 50 individual horses. Call 212-439-6900 for hours, fees and info. One of the park’s lesser-known gems is the Swedish Cottage. Nestled on the West Side of the park around 79th Street, this fairytale-like cottage hosts one of the last marionette companies in the United States. The troop will be performing “Wake Up, Daisy!,” a modern take on Sleeping Beauty, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 am and 1 pm through June. Tickets must be purchased in advance at cityparksfoundation.org. Your kids will love it-and you will too! After the performance, head over to the East Side of the Park around 75th Street to the Conservatory Water. This is a scene from another famous children’s tale- E.B. White’s Stuart Little. From April through October, you can sit and watch the remote-controlled, wind-powered sailboats cruise around the water or take part in the action and rent one for yourself-no mouse required! While you are there you can take a look at the Alice in Wonderland statue and let the kids’ (and your own) imaginations roam as you take in the beauty of the statue and imagine the fanciful story. Just a quick walk will take you to The Lake in the middle of the park between 71st and 78th streets. Since the mid-nineteenth century, New Yorkers have used this lake as a way to get away from the chaos of the city. The Loeb Boathouse has a cafe and restaurant where you can sit and look out at the peaceful lake. In April through October, you can rent a rowboat to take yourself around or hire a gondola for an intimate guided tour of The Lake. If you head north to 106th Street on the East Side, you will find Harlem Meer. Here you can find a pond stocked with largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, and chain pickerel in the middle of Manhattan! Fishing poles are available for rent at no charge and you can pick up bait at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. While there, you can also “rent” lawn games or discovery kits with kidsized binoculars, a hand lens, and colored pencils. There is no fee for rentals, but a deposit is required. There are also “discovery journals” available-free of charge. These are just a few of the adventures awaiting you and your family in Central Park. Check out the website to learn more about the history, the architecture, and even the rock formations that are second to none. The website can also direct you to guided and self-guided tours, concerts, events, and camps that are offered in the park. It is a beautiful Spring Day-don’t just fly a kite. Take advantage of all Central Park has to offer- it is only a train ride away! This massive 843-acre oasis in our backyard is world famous and for good reason. It has something for everyone from history buffs to architecture aficionados to geologists to people (and dogs) just looking to run, row, or enjoy a relaxing afternoon with nature. ADVENTURES FAMILY
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