At the northern edge of Central Park, a row of a modestly sized brick apartment buildings sit facing southward.

DSC02698-1edited 123
Museum of the City of New York

Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile boasts the Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio and The Africa Center in the Upper, Upper East Side known as East Harlem.

DSC02703-1edited 123
The Conservatory Garden, Central Park
DSC02691-1edited 123
Central Park. *This was taken just before we came across a man walking two turtles on a leash. #onlyinnewyork
Central Park North

At 116th, the street is designated Luis Muñoz Marín Boulevard, after the poet, journalist, politician and statesman, and notably the first democratically elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

On this sunny Easter Sunday, the streets were quiet and the church doors closed, leaving the Spring-like day to the amblers. Puerto Rican flags and empty chairs dot the many alleyways in the area.

On Park Avenue at 116th, the avenue takes on a different shape from its infamous wide stature further south. The buildings are brick instead of stone and the train rides above ground instead of below.

DSC02690-1edited 123
Mounted Auxiliary Unit, Central Park

Beneath the rumbling Metro-North, a delightfully welcoming garden center catches my eye. The Urban Garden Center has been family-run for four generations, in various locations around the city.

DSC02714
Urban Garden Center at La Marqueta

In 2010, they took over an empty lot known as “Lot 6” at La Marqueta and turned it into a sprawling green shop.

DSC02716
Urban Garden Center

The lot also boasts a private party space that is available for rent.

DSC02715-1edited 123
Party Rental Space at Urban Garden Center

The invitation might read: Party Under the Bridge.