Did you know that several practitioners travel from as far as Inwood/Washington Heights to work at Element? You might be wondering why we would endure a commute that can sometimes be as long as an hour-and-a-half. Well, obviously Element is a great, enriching place to work, AND upper Manhattan happens to be a great place to live! So it is all worth it.
The beautiful Fort Tryon Park is what sold me. I highly recommend spending part of a day exploring it, especially if you want to feel that you’ve “gotten out of the city” but don’t have a full day to escape.
What I love about Fort Tryon Park is that the topography seems to be much more interesting and dramatic than it is in the city’s other parks. Of course, it has the typical features, such as playgrounds, paved basketball courts, and a dog park, but the more unique elements make it special. There are cliffs and tunnels, steep stone staircases and high rock walls. Most of it sits at a higher elevation, so even on the hottest of days, there is always a light breeze blowing off the Hudson, not to mention that the view across the river features the Palisades (instead of more buildings!).
Near the center of the park sits the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to the official website, it is “devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe [and] was assembled from architectural elements, both domestic and religious, that largely date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century,” which basically means that there is a fairytale castle perched at the heart of everything.
I find that moderate exercise in such fresh air combined with the way the environment stimulates my imagination, awakens my senses and leaves me feeling rejuvenated. I hope you, too, have a chance to enjoy this change of scenery!
Some practical pointers:
*There are nice clean bathrooms open to the public in the basement of the New Leaf Café (near the lovely heather gardens)—enter from the back.
*If you don’t feel like starting the adventure with an uphill slog, simply take the elevator up to the top (rather than exiting through the long tunnel) when you get off the A train at 190th. It only takes an hour from Carroll Gardens when the A train is running express!
*Don’t miss out on seeing the whimsical unicorn tapestries! The $25 admission fee to the Cloisters is merely a suggested donation, (just like at the main branch of the Met).
– by Sarah Bellino, Licensed Massage Therapist