Urban backyards

Last week i was in New York City and totally fell in love with the collective community spaces sprouting up in random little spots. One in particular was the Little creative garden, situated in between two buildings .  This mini oasis was put together by the neighborhood block of avenue B and has been a community backyard since 1978.  With a weeping willow tree and a beautiful garden with benches it was a lovely surprise to escape into a little work free from the hustle and bustle of the busy Manhattan work!  I began to think about these collective gardens and spaces that bring a sense of peace and reflection to the nieghborhoods.  Its amazing how architecture and landscapes really effect people!  

Another place that i found to be really stellar and awesome was the High line in the meat packing distract.  'The High Line was built in the 1930s, as part of a massive public-private infrastructure project called the West Side Improvement. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan's largest industrial district. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980...The project gained the City's support in 2002. The High Line south of 30th Street was donated to the City by CSX Transportation Inc. in 2005. The design team of landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, created the High Line's public landscape with guidance from a diverse community of High Line supporters"  I went there and felt so connected to the space and the people around me!  It really puts you into perspective when you look out across the hudson and see the city line and realize what an amazing work we have created!