• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
April 29, 2009

Tale of Two Brothers in Neufled Playground, Riverside Park, NY

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Another hot, sunny, pseudo-summer day in NYC.  I looked outside my window and saw the street vibrant with people in shorts and summer dresses, entering and exciting shops, eating ice cream, and enjoying the sun’s heat.  My boys, on the other hand, were busy undoing whatever organizing I had done, getting on each other’s nerves, and a little bit on mine as well.

I decided I had enough and dressed the kids in shorts (amazing that I found any that fit, the warm weather had caught me by surprise and before I had done any shopping for them), and we set out to the park.  Initially I thought to head to Central Park.  I envisioned us having a picnic on the Great Lawn and playing ball in what I suspected would be an uncrowded field.

However, as I made my way down Riverside Drive (not sure why I decided to drive instead of taking the bus which is faster), I noticed the trees along the drive hovering over the lanes, covering the sky with their greenery.  It seemed like an image out of a fairy tale and I didn’t want to leave it.

Bikers and runners made their way along the Greenway, and boaters docked their sails at the Boat Basin on 79th Street, and this is where I thought it would be best to let the boys run off some steam.  The air was heavy, as the humidity started setting in, and the sun was relentless, but the boys couldn’t run into the park any faster, immediately playing ball and chasing each other around.

img_4745

img_4746

img_47473We walked past the lawn off of 77th St where New Yorkers sunbathed and read, relaxing away from the busy-ness of the city.  I had hoped to sit for a snack with my boys in this very spot, but they instead found their way to the playground and all the other kids there.

img_4748

img_4749

The Neufeld Playground was filled with kids on school trips and younger ones with the moms or caregivers.  The sprinklers aren’t on yet, and won’t be till after Memorial Day, and only after it gets super hot. The water from all the water balloon battles taking place covered the slides and swings, cooling them off for the little ones to play on. It’s a small playground, perfect for little kids, well contained, with easy access to bathrooms.  It has a basketball court well separated to the play area for older kids.

img_4771

img_4752

img_4754

img_4756

img_4757

img_4758

img_4762

The boys followed each other around, playing with each other, making friends quickly.  The 3.5 would worry if he didn’t see his younger brother around, and the 2.5 year would call out to him when he wanted him to join him at a certain play section.

img_4760

It was, in essence, just another day at the playground.  But I had begun to notice that the boys are playing better with each other, taking better care of one another, worry for the other and make sure to include each other in everything they do.  This behavior was on full display and my heart melted at the sight of it.

It will be a year next month since we moved back to NYC.  All three boys have grown so much and matured in so many ways. As I sat there watching my boys play, surrounded by the beauty of the park, I couldn’t help but feel how fortunate I was to have the opportunity to spend this time with them, in the city I love, showing them everything I can.

We had a great time, but eventually headed out in search of ice cream. (turns out the water and ice cream vendors frequently found on every corner of the park are not there during weekdays).  The boys walked out playfully, running after their ball…even taking a moment to hug each other long enough for me to snap a shot.  A picture I will cherish forever.

img_4766

img_4772

img_4768

img_4770

[subscribe2]



Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
4 Comments
  • Travis
    April 29, 2009

    OMG! That last photo is the cutest shot ever of the boys. I want a big one framed for my desk.:)

    Reply
  • Carolyn G
    May 10, 2009

    Ay chica, que lindos. I just want to go to NY and squeeze them!

    Reply
  • Prospect Park Zoo, Brooklyn, NY |
    July 11, 2009

    […] not the only park in New York to be so.  NYCity Mama has written about Riverside Park here and here, but not so much about Prospect Park, in Brooklyn.  And though in this Adventure, she and her […]

    Reply
  • Marrakech Hotel, A Budget-Friendly Stay on Upper West Side | NYCity Mama
    November 9, 2010

    […] located on the corner, but if you’d rather stay local, you are close to both Central Park and Riverside Park, shops, restaurants, and many other local […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Marrakech Hotel, A Budget-Friendly Stay on Upper West Side | NYCity Mama Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Carnival Fun at Queens County Farm
Next Post
Spring in Bryant Park, NYC

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes. Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes.
A wonderful weekend was had. We worked hard, but t A wonderful weekend was had. We worked hard, but then we rested even harder. We celebrated a successful cafe pop-up and a birthday in the city we love with people we love even more. Feels lucky, and we are grateful. 

#newyorkcity #newyorker
We are celebrating @travisjcain today on his birth We are celebrating @travisjcain today on his birthday but also for all he does for me and our sweet little family. Here we are in a lux NYC hotel, enjoying early morning room service to start his day. 

This weekend Travis navigated the chaos of New York City traffic with our cafe trailer in tow, for what was my insane dream to do a pop-up in the city. And he did so beautifully and safely. 

To say that my dreams and wild pursuits in life have kept this man *stressed* and on his toes for the 20+ years we have been together is an understatement. And while we may butt heads, in the end he doesn’t say no and supports me and uplifts me. 

An amazing father, and those who are lucky enough to call him friend know he’s a treasured one. A talented artist and creator. And we love him to pieces. 

Happy birthday, my beautiful Travis. May life give you all you deserve and all your dreams, even if peace while being married to a crazy dreamer like me isn’t one of them. 🤣🤭 I love you. 

#birthday
So the first day of September has been pretty stun So the first day of September has been pretty stunning. 10/10. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #september
Bucket list coffee shop: @mercurycoffeeco 🤎 Fr Bucket list coffee shop: @mercurycoffeeco 🤎

From a mobile coffee cart that started in March of 2024 to a brick and mortar that opened in the cool Rochester neighborhood of South Wedge in June 2025, this sweet little shop is serving up cool vibes and delicious coffee. 

Was it my third cup of coffee of the morning? Yes. Was it worth it? A million percent. 

Go give them some love. 🫶🏾☕️

#rochesterny #fingerlakes #coffeetiktok #coffeelover @visitrochester
Two things easily sooth my soul: coffee and books. Two things easily sooth my soul: coffee and books. And this afternoon was for books. Enter this cool bookstore find in Pittsford, NY: @bookculturepittsford. New for me, but this gem has been a part of the Pittsford community since December of 2021, with another location in NYC on 112th and Broadway. (Founded as Labyrinth Books in 1997).

It looks small on the outside, but it’s a massive space taking up two shops, and a garage in the back dedicated to kids’ books and gifts.

Honestly, they have such a diverse collection I am surprised I only walked away with three books. Could have easily done more damage. 

Pittsford itself is a pretty area outside of the city of Rochester and a short drive from the same, with tons to do including enjoying a bike ride on the trail along the Erie Canal (or take a cruise!), shopping in cute stores, and dining in quaint locally owned eateries. A very sweet experience. 

Add this shop to your book lover’s must see. 

#rochesterny #pittsfordny #fingerlakes #booklovers #bookshops @visitrochester

Copyright © 2025 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice