Essay: Spring Walk in the Park with George

Last Sunday, May 3rd, was our Spring Laudato Si’ Earth Day Walk in Central Park with George Rudenauer from the Central Park Conservancy and a parishioner of St. Ignatius Loyola.

Even a fierce wind off the Central Park reservoir did not deter any of the forty St. Ignatius Loyola parishioners and friends from journeying onward to the Conservancy Gardens and eventually to the North Woods otherwise known as the Manhattan Adirondacks.

After walking the bridle path for some ways, and then meandering up through the East Meadow where there can be found a concentration of many various species of beautiful trees, we entered an oasis of nature at its best— or as George said a kaleidoscope of nature’s colors—the Conservancy Gardens. There, George shared with us the stunning English, Italian and French Gardens, with their own distinct elegance, beauty, and charm.

From there, we travelled further north and truly started to escape the chaos of NYC, by experiencing an idyllic woodland oasis with cascading waterfalls, streams, and thriving greenery.

The 40-acre North Woods is a peaceful respite of nature with soaring trees, winding paths and so much more. We could hear the crunch of twigs under our feet, see historic arches, breathe fresh air in these quiet woods, and enjoy the tranquility of Central Park’s nature.

The afternoon was replete with beauty and wonder while enjoying nature and the outdoors with our friends from Church. In the spirit of Laudato Si’, we reverenced the beauty of God’s creation.

— Geraldine Rizzo, Laudato Si’/Care of Creation Ministry