It’s snowing December in Central Park ~ Hints Of Life

Glimpse of the first snow at Bridge No. 24, Central Park

On this exciting Friday, I wish to relive the few snowfalls we already have had in December, especially the first snowfall of the season!

Yes, it is snowing December in New York City. And as we are only two days away from Christmas, if the heavens permit I am earnestly hoping for a white Christmas. Oh, that will be a dream come true, indeed!

Though the first dusting of snow has melted (and two or three snow showers have passed), its essence is still alive in my senses. The first fall of snow is not just an event but a magical event. You go to bed in one world and wake up in another and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? says J. B. Priestley, the British writer.

As the first snowfall blanketed the city, the streets, from Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue,  to Madison Avenue and the parks – especially Central Park – were an enchanting sight. Children, couples, and, of course, pets took to Central Park to enjoy the snowfall. The sight of the horse carriages adorned with couples and families (cozily sitting together) enjoying the ride in the snow was my favorite of all.

New Yorkers took to social media, sharing stunning snow pictures and videos. But I consciously chose to live in the moment, enjoying the snow day in the company of family and friends. It’s my third winter in New York, and I still get the same thrill glimpsing the whirling snowflakes, kissing the earth gently. The feeling so magical as if a fairy angel is sprinkling love on earth.

As it lay in a blanket of snow, the Great Lawn

The Great Lawn
The lush oval lawn (Great Lawn) that opened in 1937, was Frederick Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s vision of a rural retreat in Central Park. This green 55-acre area is the geographical center of the Park, and one of the most famous lawns in the world. Located Mid-Park from 79th to 85th Street, the Great Lawn is popular among New Yorkers for a mid-afternoon picnic in Spring or for relaxing in the summer sun. It is open from mid-April until mid-November. When covered in snow the lawn looks like a winter wonderland, as you see in the picture above.

It is interesting to know, that the site of the present-day Great Lawn was not always the pastoral meadow we see today. The space was instead occupied by the rectangular Croton Reservoir, constructed in 1842.  However, in 1917, the reservoir was made obsolete when a new water tunnel was built and all of its water was drained in 1931.  During the Great Depression the area served as the home of displaced residents and surplus supplies and materials leftover from the construction of a subway line and Rockefeller Center.

Over the next few years there was much debate about what would be done with the space. Options on the table included everything from a WWI Memorial to an opera house to underground parking garages. Eventually the debate concluded in 1937 and grass was planted, creating the oval styled-field now known as the Great Lawn.  During the 1950s, eight baseball diamonds were installed along the outer rim of the lawn. (Centralpark.com)

Kids playin’ in snow at Central Park

As I walked in Central Park after a 30 minute run in the winter wonderland, watching the kids play in snow got me thinking of the many wonderful moments we create in our life on a snow day. For instance, a snowball in the face is a perfect beginning to a lasting friendship. I am sure many of you cherish these incredible childhood friendships even today. As I passed Cherry hill, I saw a little boy making a snowman with his mother in the middle of the hill. Seeing the beautiful mother-son bond, I couldn’t resist playing with them for sometime.

As I said goodbye to them, I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? Covers them in a warm white blanket until summer comes. With this wonderful feeling and priceless experience I made my way out of the park. It was time for a delicious hot chocolate in the cozy corner of my house.

Signing off with warm holiday wishes.

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