The world’s ultimate concrete jungle is not at all satisfied with its image of concrete forest and trash. Last year the city managers got together and planned a huge pilot program to reduce litter. In view of the fact that there was too much litter around town, they are placing recycling container in all the city parks in all five boroughs and in the Staten Island Ferry terminals. The receptacles are of the sorting kind, with separate drops for bottles, cans, etc. Recycling bins are also being placed in parks and on public streets where, hopefully, New Yorkers will dispose of their recyclables and not put them into the regular trash, where they go to waste – literally!

Although we don’t think of New York in terms of trees, the city as a whole boasts an amazing five million trees. As a beautification project, the city is encouraging residents to plant more trees, around their townhouses if possible, as well as any place a concrete plant container would fit without obstructing auto and foot traffic. Concrete works better, the city believes, because they can’t be carried off very easily. Neighborhood areas take on a new, friendly face when there are trees and bushes gracing the sidewalks, and even better, with outdoor seating such as concrete benches - also hard to carry away without being noticed by the neighbors or the cops. It is well known that there has been a problem in some neighborhoods with vandals, defacing or just straight carrying off any benches or furniture. So concrete furniture makes great sense. Places to sit outside can help calm the soul of folks who are housebound so much of the time, and benches where people can sit and rest their feet and maybe even chat with their neighbors, could start a new wave of friendliness, something that has been all too rare in this bustling metropolis.

The city is proud of its parks, and with good reason. Central Park is one of its most famous attractions, world famous, in fact, filled with beautifully maintained green meadows, lakes big enough to go rowboating on, trees and shrubs of great beauty and idyllic walks. There are concrete fountains and statues that soothe the mind with their beauty and tranquility.

Athens Park is a more recent acquisition. Actually it was a simply playground space, but in 1990 the city decided to do honor to the Greek heritage of many New Yorkers. Greek statuary and other reminders of the glory of ancient as well as modern Athens have been donated by Greece for this space.

One of the most famous ways New York is going green is in its neighborhood parks. Here recycling bins provide a relief from drinking cans and beer bottles, and the concrete benches and tables are safe and friendly. The city is realizing more and more that humans need some open space, some things that grow, and a place to dig in the dirt and maybe grow something to feed the body as well as the soul. Small parks are springing up in vacant lots in neighborhoods all over the city. Residents have formed coalitions to manage these parks and gardens. They find ways to keep them safe from vandalism, like
concrete benches, and they are encouraging gardeners with talent who can grow real food. Some of the neighborhood park groups have instituted community picnics where they can share the bounty. The parks have picnic tables and other concrete site furnishings that make the backyard picnic of the suburbs a possibility for the urbanites as well.

So, no more snide remarks about the concrete jungle! Even here the green revolution is forging ahead.

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