How did I not know about this gem? How can I call myself a New Yorker? It took my friend Elena, a current NYC resident, originally hailing from Italia, to introduce me to this magical spot.
There was a purpose in her introduction, and a strong desire to turn me onto it, because she knew … she knew it would transport me to a place in Firenze that I love. And she was right. Grazie mille Elena!
As we approached Elizabeth Street Garden, a Little Italy institution (again, how did I not know this?!) it gracefully began to unfold before my eyes. With its sculptures, luscious greens, fig trees, and stone pathways it hit me - Boboli Gardens!! Behind the Pitti Palace, in the Oltrarno section of Firenze, you’ll find the vast, luscious and meravigliosi i Giardini di Boboli - the Boboli Gardens. I’ve been wandering through them on my visits to the city since 1992, and there are spots in Boboli that I have committed to memory, visiting them often in my mind’s eye. Can you imagine how excited I was?
Now, Elizabeth Street Garden is extremely small by comparison, but its size did not affect the expansion of my heart. I loved the visit so much that I returned the following week to take another stroll, soak it in a bit more, and photograph it with purpose. As I took my time, lost in this treasure, I was not only transported to Firenze, but having my feet planted firmly on the ground here in NYC, afforded me the experience of blending the two places I love most. Blending is always a bit magical for me. I’d like to take you on a mini journey for a slice of NYC life with a hint of Firenze…
Now for some bad news, unlike Italia where they preserve their spaces, Elizabeth Street Garden is yet another spot that is threatened by destruction, replacing it with …what else … housing units. ugh - so many ugly new buildings, so little time. Ok, it is for affordable housing for seniors, which is important, but there are other options, like some of those empty office buildings - hello hybrid schedules, as well as other city-owned properties around town. Allora, if you want to know more about Elizabeth Street Garden and/or donate to help them save this gem click HERE
To sum things up, back to the garden I will go, as much as possible, and hopefully well into the future. I encourage you to treat yourself and do the same. Maybe I’ll see you there? Big Love & Happy Blending, PatriciaG
One last thing before I go, some of you may have previously heard me speak of Elena, co-founder of Franky In New York. She and her husband Massimo are doing interesting and great things over at Franky. I’m honored to know them professionally, having been featured in “The Beautiful Life” newsletter, but more importantly, I am blessed to now call them friends. Sign up for their newsletter and learn about their special project “Who’s Who of the Italian Americans“ the first collection ever of Italian American biographies by clicking HERE
*** I continue to expand my Society6 Gift Shop collection and invite you to come on over and take a look. And I’d love to hear from you if any of these new photographs spark your interest as something you’d like to see there. Grazie! ***