November 2021

When the Pandemic started in 2020, no one knew we would still be dealing with it in November of 2021.  

Eastern Red Bud trees along the west side of Park Terrace West, planted in 2015 by Million Trees New York, are now in full fall color. Their clearly bright yellow leaves are the color compliment to their spring fuschia or purplish-pink flowers. Black seed pods hang on them in profusion. 

Isham Park was given to New York City in 1911; its opening ceremony was held on September 28, 1912. So next year, 2022, will be the 110th anniversary for the opening of Isham Park which has quietly served the city through two Pandemics. 

 

The historic Broadway mile marker in Isham Park

 

Above: Broadway entrance to Isham Park on the occasion of the Isham Park Centennial September 29, 2012. The marker is at left; the poster at right was part of a temporary signage series by VIP identifying the elements of Isham Park.

Today a small group of volunteers for Isham Park worked along Broadway, in and around the south entrance to the park, once the entrance drive to William Bradley Isham's estate.

Maria Lall invested countless hours creating and maintaining gardens this area of the park which she deemed "Isham Alley."  A community effort is underway to name the path in her honor.

There is a worn stone mile-marker embedded in the retaining wall beside the north pillar at the entrance that has been described by many over the years.  A friend at the Historic Districts Council sent VIP a link to a recently posted article about the marker from the blog Ephemeral New York:

https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2021/09/06/the-only-colonial-era-mile-marker-remaining-on-a-manhattan-street/

This Butterfly Bush hedge has matured

 

Maria & Walter planted this Butterfly Bush hedge

a while back; this summer it is blooming profusely.

 

Stone edging was donated by our neighbor Jackie.

 

Isham Park Summer 2021

 

Missing Maria

 

    

 "Hey Baby!"  

Who will greet us this way now?