Fordham is a place that is full of things to do. I have been here two years and still have not done everything. However, there is one place at Fordham that I have been to many times and would consider one of my favorite things to do at Fordham. It is walking in the Botans.
The New York Botanical Garden, or “The Botans” as many people call it, is located across the street from the main entrance to Fordham. Yet when you enter, it feels a world away. The garden is 250 acres full of trees, plants, animals and peaceful paths. The greatest thing about the Botans is that it is free for all Fordham students. This is a great bargain because regular admission costs $35. Thank God we get free access because if I had to pay for every time I visited the Botans, I would be broke.
What is there to do at the Botans, you may ask? Well, a lot. A good way to get acquainted with the gardens is by taking the tram. It runs throughout the park and has plenty of stops to get off at. Also, the tram is a good choice if you just want to relax and watch the park go by from your seat.
When I visit, I like to go walking. There are many paths that meander through the park, which means you can walk a different way any time you visit. My favorite walk is to go around the perimeter of the park. I start by taking a left at the entrance and walking by the enormous greenhouse. Sometimes, the greenhouse is open to the public, and I would highly recommend checking it out. Inside, there is a tropical rainforest biome and a tunnel that leads to a desert biome. In the winter, it is a great place to go and warm up. After passing the greenhouse, I like to take a right down a path surrounded by trees. In the spring, a collection of Japanese cherry trees bloom along the path, which makes it a scenic stop on the walk.
Further along the walk I take, there is a split. One of the paths leads across a bridge that goes over the Bronx River. Fun fact: The Bronx River is the only freshwater river in New York City. The other path leads into the “Thain Family Forest.” The Thain forest is the largest piece of untouched natural forest in New York City. I always like walking through the forest because it reminds me of the woods near my home in Massachusetts. After walking in the forest, you come across another bridge that is suspended high about the Bronx River. When standing on that bridge, seeing the trees, and hearing the roaring river, it is easy to forget that you are in the middle of a bustling city.
When looping back to the entrance, there are two interesting areas to check out. The first is the “Chilton Azela Garden.” Flowers are not my specialty, but I like how pretty they are. In the Spring, the Azelas in this section of the park sprout into a colorful display that is very calming to look at.
The other area is the “Native Plant Garden.” It is a garden full of plants native to the New York region, and at the centerpiece is a beautiful artificial pond.
If you want to sit down after a walk and soak in the sun, there are plenty of benches along the pond to rest on.
Another reason to visit is the numerous year-round events held throughout the park. One popular event is the Farmers Market which takes place on Wednesdays from May 31 to Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors from around the City go, and it has been ranked one of the 10 best farmers markets in NYC by TimeOut New York. During the holiday season, the botanical garden hosts a holiday train exhibit in the greenhouse, which attracts many visitors. It is a popular place to visit because there are 200 miniature models of famous New York landmarks.
