Parks Archives - Reflections of Place

3 of 8, St James Park, The Green Park, Hyde Park

“The parks be the lungs of London.”
– Charles Dickens

Late fall is a great time to visit London and it’s 8 Royal Parks are perfect for strolling. If you’re out for a hike or you’re searching for a peaceful ramble after a day of shopping and sightseeing, these 3 parks offer the tranquil space you crave.

From Trafalgar Square, down Whitehall to the Horse Guard enter St James Park.

St James Park with it’s beautiful flower gardens, weeping willows, fountain and fowl. Ducks, geese, swans and pelicans roam the grounds. Swans may approach you looking for a snack and if you’re timing is right you will witness the Horse Guard Parade. The Life Guard change takes place here at 11:00am daily and 10:00am on Sundays.

From St James Park, cross the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace to enter The Green Park.

In Green Park you’ll treasure the beautiful walks wandering the paths. Find a bench and linger to relish the green space of grasslands and magnificent trees. Bring a picnic to savor a meal on the lawn. Don’t be surprised if you see two friends sharing a bench and a nip from a brown bag.

When your meal is complete roam the pathways to emerge at Hyde Park.

In Hyde Park enjoy watching locals feeding breadcrumbs to the pigeons and squirrels.

Hire a bike and bicycle Hyde Park or stroll the paths. Appreciate the lake view, hire a boat and row or pedal the lake at Serpentine Lake. Visit the many memorials and don’t forget to find the statue of Peter Pan. On a Sunday Morning meander to the north east corner and have a listen to the orators at Speaker’s Corner.

After spending time in these parks you’ll want to discover more of their history, and with a nod to Dickens you’ll agree “The parks be the lungs of London”.

For more on the history of the parks visit their official site

https://www.royalparks.org.uk/

Be Well. Stay Safe. Much Love.

Lace up your sneakers and enjoy the City of New Boston Parks, these parks a gift from the City of New Boston offer many opportunities to be outdoors. Tapp Park’s walking trails wind around the park through shaded paths of oak and pine trees and the asphalt trails of Trail Head Park take you from downtown New Boston to Hwy 98 through more than three miles of walkway surrounded by nature. This newest trail runs along the old Texas & Pacific Railway rails and the paved asphalt way ends at HWY 98.

One of my favorite things to do is walking and my favorite walking companion is my husband. We keep about the same pace so walking together is easy. Any season, our favorite place to walk is New Boston’s Trail Head Park. This past weekend in mid-April was no exception. The spring time weather made it the perfect morning walk. The City of New Boston completed this asphalt trail in 2016. The trail to HWY 98 from downtown New Boston- passing Scout Lake and return to town is about six miles, the walk is just over three miles to Scout Lake and back to town.
No matter your route, this is a beautiful nature walk. Lacey blooms of white, yellow and purple line the walk along Front Street from Trail Head Park to near Frost Street. On the trail, you’ll meet families riding their bicycles, parents pushing their children in strollers and dog walkers out to give their dogs some exercise.

Near Frost Street the trail changes, frilly blooms in shades of yellow line the walk as the trail is enveloped in a canopy of green and the heady sweet scents of privet hedge and honeysuckle fill the air.

The trail is lined with many pines and hardwood trees on each side and west of Robertson there is a lush thicket of bamboo.

Along the way are wildflowers scattered about, royal thistles with blooms faded and exhausted but still standing proud. Purple Spiderworts with their showy blossoms. Depleted cattails awaiting their renewal for a fall performance. Shoots of yellow petals reaching up. Then, arriving at the creek, a short walk over the bridge is Scout Lake. You will likely see ducks or fishermen enjoying the lake.

When you return checkout the dandelions with their bright yellow blossoms and some with their seed head blooms, pick one – make a wish. This all-purpose trail is great for walking, jogging, bike riding or just to be out for a leisurely stroll and as you return to downtown New Boston notice the walkway lined with crepe myrtles with their promise of a spectacular display of summer blooms.

Previously Published: “When You Know You’d Rather Be Outdoors.” Bowie County Citizens Tribune & DeKalb News 3 May 2017, F5

Tag: Parks

London’s Royal Parks In Their Fall Colors

New Boston, TX- Parks & Walking Trails