Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Friday, August 6, 2021

SHAKESPEARE GARDEN: CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK

 
Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

"Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best."
William Shakespeare, 
The Two Noble Kinsmen

๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน๐ŸŒน 

When I was a young girl, 
one of the first novels I read was 
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.
As a teenager, I didn't pick up on the symbolism 
that the characters in the book
fought for air and sunlight in order to survive,
just like trees and flowers do.
 My main takeaway from the book
was that Brooklyn and the whole of New York City
was one big slab of cement, devoid of trees.
 
That imagery stayed with me 
until the first time I visited Manhattan
after reading that book,
when the sight of trees lining the sidewalks truly surprised me.
What the WHAT?
There are trees here???
I had never paid attention before.
 
Many, many years later, 
I discovered that the Big Apple, while not exactly  a green apple,
does have its share of tranquil natural spaces
in the midst of all that concrete.
 Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Granted, you've got to seek out 
many of these hidden oases in Manhattan......... 
It's not like you'll trip over them while running down 
Lexington  Avenue to catch the bus.

Surely, I wouldn't advise Romeo and Juliet to rent an Airbnb 
in the East Village if they were looking for a romantic getaway
wherefore art thou'd feel one with nature.......
 
Nor, to thine own self would I not be true,
if I called NYC a sleepy, lush and leafy Hamlet........
 
But, perhaps Othello might feel a sense of calm
 if he found himself amidst the hidden oasis
tucked away in Central Park called Shakespeare Garden.
 
Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

 
I'd heard of Shakespeare Garden, but had never been.
After an appointment in Manhattan earlier this week,
my camera and I set out to find it.
 
 I was worried that Shakespeare Garden 
would turn out to be Much Ado About Nothing........
 However, it did not disappoint.
In fact, it was an absolute delight.

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark


Methinks I could have been in an English cottage garden,
on  the grounds of Downton Abbey.
If Lady Grantham came out to greet me, 
I would not have been surprised. 


Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark
 
A wee bit of history........
The gardens were first planted in 1912,
but were not named and dedicated to William Shakespeare 
until 1916,
when plantings in the garden became more focused on 
flowers appearing in his literature. 
Today, the garden covers a four-acre space of
densely planted trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs. 

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

 
You can find Shakespeare Garden
by accessing the E.79th Street entrance on the east side, or  W.81st Street on the west side.
It is just south of Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond
( we will tour these spots together in my next post).
 

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

 
The garden is in close proximity to the Delacorte Theater,
an outdoor venue which is home to 
Shakespeare In The Park.
Theatrical productions run from July through mid-September, 
and are free to the public. 
Would it not be a Midsummer Night's Dream 
to attend a sunset performance? 
 
Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

 
And now, I will let you wander through the gardens 
on your own, As You Like It,
to  linger as long or as little as you want.
 
Keep an eye out for the bronze plaques 
with quotes from Shakespeare about certain plants.
If you need a rest, have a seat on one of 
the  wooden benches within the garden. 
Enjoy!

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark
 Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark
 
 
I hope you'll plan a visit to Shakespeare Garden 
on your next visit to New York City.
Although spring and summer are best for obvious reasons,
apparently, there is always something blooming in the garden,
even if it's under the snow. 

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark

 

All's Well That Ends Well,
don't you agree?

Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark



Till next time.......


For more information about Shakespeare Garden,
click here.




Shakespeare Garden in Central Park is a "must see" when visiting NYC in spring or summer. Ms Toody Goo Shoes #mycentralpark



20 comments:

  1. What a gem! Your pictures captured how gorgeous it must be. I love the clever use of the play titles throughout your post. A fun read!

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  2. This is really amazing, Amy. I have to ask, since I live downtown in my city. Did you see homeless and transient vagrants on this trip in this garden? In other words, did you feel safe walking through it? As a tourist, I'm not so sure I'd venture off the beaten path as you have, but man, that truly looks amazing. Thanks for sharing! Very witty delivery too!

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  3. How cool is this. Who knew?!!! What a beautiful garden in New York. So glad you took us along with you to see the beauty. Wish I could have walked with you to smell all the wonderful fragrance. I cannot wait for your next post of the Belvedere Castle and Turtle Pond. Happy Weekend. xoxo

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  4. Oh my, such a beautiful spot! I'm definitely not familiar with Central Park, and had no knowledge that Shakespeare's Garden existed. Thank you for bringing us along. Debbie Hibbert

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  5. When my two daughters lived in New York we visited the garden one day. Talk about an oasis. Thanks for stirring up some great memories for me. xo Laura

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  6. Well done, Amy in working in so many quotes from The Bard. It is good to know that these little oases of calm exist in what essentially is a sea of concrete. I have only ever visited New York on business, and have been unable to explore places like Central Park. My loss I am sure.

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  7. Oh, Amy, what a magical place. I love all the quotes and references you made...and you certainly can hear the words...as one strolls along those sturdy and ancient looking walkways. Loved this post!!!

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  8. What a beautiful place! As well as your photos of course.
    Brenda

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  9. Beautiful quotes and photos Amy. I visited New York twice and did take a carriage ride through Central park. Of course we had to visit the main Mackenzie Childs' store.

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  10. Welcome back, Amy. I've missed reading your posts. Your pictures of Shakespeare's garden are beautiful!!

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  11. So very beautiful. I just did a blog on the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. This is both delightful and so clever, Amy! I haven't been to NYC in ages and I'm so long overdue for a visit. I can see why this would be a glorious haven in the city and I'm so glad you shared it here!

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  13. Lovely to read and beautiful to look at.
    I enjoyed this post :)

    All the best Jan

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  14. I've never been in this garden. What a treasure! It's a lovely spot. Thanks for sharing the photos and your lovely prose!!

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  15. I would love to visit this garden one of these days!

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  16. Amy, so enjoyed exploring this beautiful and enchanting garden named after the great Bard of Avon! The famous playwright would have been proud of your clever play with words describing this very pretty and picturesque place, in the massive metropolis that is NYC!!

    Happy weekend,
    Poppy of Poppyview๐Ÿ˜‰

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  17. I've pinned it! I love photographing flowers, too.

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  18. I have never visited the Shakespeare garden, it looks lovely.

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  19. I've been in CP several times but never to this garden. It will be added to my list of places to visit in the city.

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