Green Space and Nature in NYC
Growing up in rural Appalachia, I was a little worried about moving to the city. A lot of people actually warned me that I wouldn’t like it. None of the things I love - the lush mountains, summer nights filled with the sounds of cicada and crickets, and the quiet of living in the middle of nowhere - were part of the New York City experience. Even so, even after just half a year at Barnard, I found myself in love with the city and all its hustle and bustle. Sometimes I would even get a little too swept up in it all; juggling classwork, three jobs, extracurriculars, social life, attending random events across town, and more. When this happened, I made sure to find time to return to my roots and go out into nature. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to be in touch with dnature while in the city- whether through clubs at Barnard/Columbia or even just within the city. I’ll share some of my favorites!
This past year I joined a couple of Barnard and Columbia outdoors clubs for longer backpacking trips. The first one I did was in late September, when I went with BOAT (Barnard Outdoor Adventure Team) to Harriman State Forest. We woke up early in the morning and hopped on the subway northwards. Then we transferred over to a train and I remember looking out the window of the train. I could see rolling farmlands and gentle clouds caressing the untouched forests below it. It immediately calmed me down from the leftover hectic feelings from the previous school week. Harriman State Forest itself was beautiful. The leaves were vibrant colors, appearing as though someone took brilliant red and orange paints and stroked them across the lands. We hiked for an entire day, climbing through rolling grassy lands, rocky areas with enormous boulders, and heavily wooded areas with light streaming through, all the while glimpsing a fantastic view of the valley and the rest of the forest. Eventually, we ended up at our campsite, which was nestled right next to a beautifully clear and crisp lake. I hadn’t swam in a lake since leaving home, and it was so nice to float amidst friends and nature. I actually made one of my closest friendships while on this trip and she’s been one of the most significant support pillars during my time at Barnard. This trip was one of the significant times that I was able to fully detach myself from any academic or personal obligations. My phone had no service. I couldn’t receive or respond to emails, worry about classwork due in the upcoming week, or check my grades. I was blissfully unaware of my life’s chaos, and I couldn’t have done anything better for my mental health.
I joined a couple of other outdoor groups for longer trips as well, including Columbia’s Outdoor Club and Columbia’s Hiking Club. I went to the Adirondacks over Fall break and was hoping to join the Spring break trip as well, but I didn’t sign up for fast enough (they fill up so fast it’s wild!). All of these trips and experiences have served a valuable way for me to reconnect with myself and nature and to feel more at home. Even if you haven’t ever been on a longer outdoors trip before, I would highly recommend trying. Disconnecting from your phone, social media, and the hectic “do everything possible” mindset our society lives in is really important. After coming back from these trips, I felt more fresh, and my mind was reset in a way. It helped me feel grounded in moving forward. All of the clubs mentioned in this post provide financial aid, helping cover travel, gear, food, and more. As a low income student, this was really helpful for me as I wouldn’t have been able to go on these trips otherwise.
There are a ton of ways to immerse yourself in nature in the city as well! There is a surprising amount of green space at your fingertips in Central Park, Riverside Park (right next to school!), Riverbank State Park in Harlem, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Flushing Meadows in Queens, the High Line (mostly in Chelsea), Washington Square Park, Hudson River Park (Chelsea to Battery Park), and more. I often found myself going to these spaces whenever I could to do school work, hang out with friends, throw a frisbee around, take a nap, or just take in the greenery. They’re often bustling with people, especially on the warmer days, but it often helps me get out of the Barnard and Columbia bubble. That being said, I also really appreciate the green spaces on campus. From Futter Field and Butler Lawns to Diana’s Green Roof and Milstein's patios, these green spaces are easily accessible and great places to do work, destress, and breathe some fresh air.
As a general rule of thumb, finding time to be outside is really important. Here’s a paper about it if you need proof. I hope I bump into you all at a park in the near future!
-Anna Yokote