DAYTRIPPING TO THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN: By Polly Guerin

As New York City slowly opens up people anxious to get out, after months of guarrantine, need only Day Trip it to The New York Botanical Garden, to reconnect with nature. The reopening of Outdoor Gardens and Collections marks a welcome general oublic.  The best way to get there is by public transportation and Metro North where 250 acres and one million plants await your pleasure to experience nature in all its glory.  New safety protocols in accordance with State of New York requirements wearing masks and social distancing.                                                                                                As the great outdoor adventurer John Burroughs wrote "I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses in order."                                                                                                                               NYBG is an urban oasis and integral part of he cultural fabri of New York City, located in the Bronx. The verdant landscape currently features a trove of vibrant daylilies, hydrangeas, water lilies, and lotuses among its one million plants. Take a leisurely stroll waking paths and trails that crisscross the Garden providing moments of discovery through nature.                                         As the French painter wrote "There are always flowers for those who want to see them."                                                                                                                                                          The  reopened gardens, outdoo collections and natural features include the Native Plant Garden  with its meadow , woodland promenade and centerpiece water feature, Bronx River with its waterfall which runs through the 50-acre Train family forest, layered and colorful patterns and plant group-ings of the Perennial and Herb Gardens, lushly shaded Chilton Azalea Garden, the award-winning Rockefeller Rose Garden, tropical and aquatic plant-filled Conservatory Courtyards and Pools, and so much more to enchant you and soothe your eyes by the glorious colors that have so much significance. As the color therapist's say: Red for life itself, green for healing, blue for spiritual growth, yellow for happiness and sunshine to name a few that remind us that the colors in nature are the perfect tonic to restore one's pent up feelings. As Albert Einstein wrote "Look deep into nature nd then you will understand everything."                                                                                                                The reopening incorporates enhanced safey measures including staff and visitors  over the age of two to wear face coverings and obseerve social distancing pratices; rewuiring time-entry tickets purchased in advance which will promote social distancing and mitigate the risk of crowding in high-traffic areas. TO RESERVE TIMED TICKETS IN ADVANCE visit the NYBG website nybg.org. Visitor Amenities include: Pine tree Cafe (10 a.m-6p.m, limited menu and outdoor seating) Hudson Gardeb Grill Terrace (12-5 pm; snacks and refreshments, including water, and beer.  The Clay Family Picnic Pavillion.  Please check the NYBG websute for a ccmplete list.                                              THE NEW YOK BOTANICAL GARDEN IS LOCATED AT 2900 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, bRONX, New York 10458.  Visit nybg.org.