Today I got to do one of my favorite things, walk to Carl Schurz Park and bask in the sun on one of the benches lining the East River before stopping by the dog runs and seeing the first flowers of the spring.  When I moved to the Upper East Side, a friend living on 82nd St. clued me in to the existence of this park.  It really functions as an enclave separate from other smaller parks in the city (Madison Square, Union, etc) because of its significant size, but also because it requires a walk or train ride from Lexington all the way to East End, a trek most tourists will not do even if they knew about the place. Despite Gracie Mansion being there it just has never had the attention of other city parks, something that I'm very grateful for since it really is "our" park for the Upper East Side.

Central Park is wonderful in its own right, don't get me wrong. It certainly serves its purpose to tourists and residents alike, but given a choice I'll take Carl Schurz.  I know its paths intimately, every place to sun, to watch the various boats pass by on the river, the almost secret garden at the north end, and the central entrance with cherry trees and flowers blooming seasonally that creates a sculpted garden masterpiece.  I know every season, and have stood watching snow blanket the trees, the daffodils in spring, sunflowers opening in summer, and the leaves change and fall. This is where I stood the day that Sandy swept into town, watching the East River rising ominously close to the lighthouse on Roosevelt Island, feeling the rain strike like pinpricks and the gusts of wind that literally took my breath away.

It is "my" park, and I treasure the days I can spend feeling the breeze off of the water, the sun beating down or the beauty of the stark winter trees, knowing that I belong here.  This is my oasis.