Autumnal London Plane Trees At Bryant Park

Bryant Park is bordered in its northern and southern sides by tall London plane trees (Platanus acerifolia). These trees can grow up to 120 feet in height. These photos were taken at the northeastern corner of the park. 

Roosevelt Island Autumn Hues

The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge

Trees at the FDR Four Freedoms Park with the United Nations Building (across the East River) in the background

Autumn leaves at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station

The Queensboro/Ed Koch Bridge

Autumn leaves with the Smallpox Hospital (Renwick Ruin) in the background

Roosevelt Island, a narrow island in the East River of New York City, lies between Manhattan to its west and the borough of Queens to its east. The parks on this island, especially the FDR Four Freedoms Park are beautiful and serene all throughout the year. Autumn is a magical time to visit the island and enjoy fall foliage.  

Fall Blooms and Foliage

New York City may not be the best place to see spectacular autumn leaves, but there are some spots around the city where fall colors are alive in mid-October. The photos of the trees  were taken in Central Park near the Bethesda Terrace while images of the colorful flower beds (mums) were made on Park Avenue. 

Autumn Foliage at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants, an educational institution, and a scientific research organization. It was founded in 1891 and is now a national historic landmark. At the heart of the garden are 50 acres of virgin woodlands which represent the last stretch of the original forest which covered all of New York City before the arrival of European settlers. During the fall, the garden displays enchanting autumnal colors like those captured in the images above.

Central Park Conservancy Receives $100 Million Donation

John Paulson, a billionaire hedge-fund manager recently donated $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy. It is believed to be the largest donation to any park in US history. Paulson, who joined the conservancy board in June, said he wants to make New York City a center of his philanthropy and decided Central Park, which he has visited regularly since his childhood and where his grandparents courted, should be No. 1 on the list.

"It's been an important part of my life and my family's life for a very long time." he said. "I wanted the amount to make a difference."

"It is a great privilege to be able to contribute to the Central Park Conservancy, one of the most important cultural institutions in New York,” Paulson said. He’s No. 28 in the Forbes 400 and No. 61 in the list of Forbes Billionaires.

The images above were taken two days before Superstorm Sandy hit the northeast.