Photo by Billy.
Two lush green lawns around the Museum of Natural History that were closed to the public for years are now open for part of the day as part of a city pilot project through the end of September.
The Northwest Lawn at Teddy Roosevelt Park, at 81st Street and Columbus Avenue, and the Southwest Lawn, at 77th and Columbus are both open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., though animals and sports are not allowed.
The lawns were first opened on Saturday, and some visitors welcomed the new open space with joy. Devin Hessler, 4 years old, was the first person on the North lawn. “She loves it!” wrote her mom Elyssa Shapiro.
The opening of the lawn did cause some controversy, which we detailed here.
The museum is also considering ways to open Margaret Mead Lawn, located on the Columbus Avenue side of the park, to visitors as part of its expansion project.
Thanks to Billy, Elyssa and Deri for the tips and photos.
Pres. “Teddy” Roosevelt said something like : if an immigrant doesn’t learn English language in 5 years, he should leave. Did he help John Muir ? What if Cuba has stayed in Spain ? Shall there be fewer : pigeons, sparrows, seagulls, rats, mice in that park? Anyone else hear Margaret Mead as she was a guest lecturer at a college ; one day ? I miss the old Hayden planetarium. How many old trees near that Museum ?
If they mess with the seagulls I am going to be very upset.:)
You’re very welcome for the photo my fellow upper Westsiders. please come and enjoy your park and remember whenever you come in with please take back with you. Let’s keep this Park clean…this is “your park” treated it like your home. As a lot of you know I have been pushing this the last 38 years for you to enjoy this most beautiful park of my 50 years living here on West 80th Street and as the West 80th St. Block Association president. Please bring the kids and enjoy.
Thank you for pushing to reopen the lawns.
Thank you Dannyboy – It was too good not to push and argue but now you see the results… Times and people have of changed since the 60s and 70s, It was a rough neighborhood to deal with back than but it paid off. I knew it would when I first moved here, I like challenges… Now we can appreciate the better things around us.
What about our dogs, Billy???!!!
leave them home!!!!!!
Sorry Beverly no dogs or organize sports — it’s best not even though I am a dog lover and have a beautiful one called “Zac”… “Teddy’s Park” is designed for peace and quiet and it would not be fair to the parents and the kids and our senior citizens who bring their blankets and have there family picnics on the grounds…We do have the bullrun dog run and soon to be renovated to be designed with the newest technology and finish by the end of 2019.
Thank you for the attempt to keep dogs out. I doubt it will work, but A for effort. I see dog poop more on the UWS side walks, than anywhere else in Manhattan. The sense of entitlement is mind boggling.
OK Billy, Zac and Spike will just have to go to Central Park🙂
PR for expansion.