For the Love of Brooklyn - Archive

rekindling the love for prospect park

It’s been awhile since I used to spend much time in Prospect Park. When I first moved to Brooklyn, the park used to be my oasis – a place of refuge and relaxation. I’m not sure if it’s work or life or all the work I COULD be doing on the house at any given moment, but somehow that quiet time amongst the trees has been one of the things I’ve accidentally given up over the last few years.

Thanks to CH Cycles and the longer daylight hours, my newly-repaired bike and I have been taking an evening spin around the park and falling right back in love. Nighttime bike rides in Brooklyn are one of life’s sweetest pleasures, and it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to relax after a long day at the office. Using gmap-pedometer.com, I’ve discovered a couple of great 7 to 8-mile loops from my house through the park and back, and it’s been blissful. Plus, I just realized this past week that I can actually use that site to track my rides and workouts — I’m hooked!

I thought I’d share a few recent Instagram photos from my nighttime bike rides and I can’t wait to take more this week. If you ever want to go on a nighttime ride / photo outing, let me know! It’s even more fun with friends.

flickr faves: botanic beauty

April 9th, 2012 | Posted by Jill in brooklyn botanic garden | meet-up - (1 Comments)

Last weekend, our impromptu meet-up at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden turned out to be a lovely time. We had a chance to see a preview of the new visitors’ center which is scheduled to open May 16th and also the extension plot for the upcoming native flora garden extension. Plus, the cherry blossoms were indeed beginning to bloom around the Japanese pond — life is good.

Check out a few of my favorite shots from the walk and have a lovely week!

“Out of Reach,” by Barry Yanowitz:

“Panorama, Pond, Japanese Garden,” by Chris Kreussling at Flatbush Gardener:

Untitled, by Michael Pearce and “Ents”, by Chris Kreussling at Flatbush Gardener:

Untitled, by Michael Pearce:

Instagram snapshots, by Adam Lerner:

Untitled, by Michael Pearce:

Panorama of the expansion site for the Native Flora Garden, by Chris Kreussling at Flatbush Gardener:

… and though he couldn’t make it to this meet-up, I couldn’t help but include Shawn Hoke‘s lovely photo from the garden this week! Brooklyn is for lovers, indeed.

adam lerner, barry yanowitz, chris kreussling, flatbush gardener, michael pearce, shawn hoke

happy new year!

January 1st, 2012 | Posted by Jill in instagram | prospect park | slow down - (1 Comments)

The last few days have afforded me some time for reflection, and I am so looking forward to the promises and opportunities that a new year brings. This past year has been huge for me — a new consulting career, a new house to renovate, new friends and coworkers. I’ve risen to challenges, redefined my goals, and redrawn my boundaries — and not always in the healthiest of ways. Only in the past few weeks have I realized that despite all the newness of the past year, I haven’t taken enough time for myself.

Last night in Red Hook, as the sun set one final time in 2011, I made a silent commitment as I looked out over the bay. I’m not yet sure what my resolutions will be this year, but they definitely include far more *me* time. Bring on the selfishness! Today I celebrated by taking a decadent walk through Prospect Park. The sunshine was wonderful. Out with the old and in with the new, indeed.

Here’s to a great year ahead, and may your 2012 be filled with lots of *you* time!

shaking off the summertime

October 4th, 2011 | Posted by Jill in prospect park | slow down - (3 Comments)

The night air has a chill now, and truthfully, it’s hard to believe October is here. Where did September go?! Though my flowers keep on blooming, it’s clear that we’ve finally shaken the last warm days of summer. I’ve been going through photos of this past summer in Prospect Park and just wanted to share a little warmth over my cup of tea tonight. Enjoy!