Sidewalk Gardens Of New York

Description

Described by the New York Times as a "Champion of Gardens in New York," Betsy Pinover Schiff has been photographing urban plantings and chronicling the "greening" of the city for nearly a decade. Once limited to private spaces and elite neighborhoods, these plantings now proliferate throughout the boroughs, enhancing the streetscape throughout the city. Sidewalk Gardens of New York presents the range of possibilities- tree wells, planters and flowering baskets, lush medians that mitigate the frenzy of the street; plazas and pocket parks offering respite to pedestrians; building plantings that create a transition between public and private; community gardens; and the major parks and gardens that are newly planted along the waterfront. Informative text by horticulturalist Alicia Whitaker describes strategies for successful planting and garden design in the harsh urban environment. "Just try keeping up with her on West 10th Street between the Avenue of the Americas and Fifth Avenue. The block became a new favorite once she realized how many trees and shrubs and flowers had been planted there. Another new favorite is on Bainbridge Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, a block with front-yard gardens and planters and well-tended tree wells. "I think I've walked every street in Manhattan and well beyond into the other boroughs," Schiff said." --The New York Times, August 15, 2015

Betsy Pinover Schiff is the photographer of six books on gardens and landscape architecture, including three about New York City. Former director of public relations for the New York Public Library and the New York Botanical Garden, Ms. Schiff serves on the boards of New York cultural organizations including the American Federation of Arts. Alicia Whitaker, a passionate gardener and horticulture specialist, serves on the board of the Horticulture Alliance of the Hamptons. Adrian Benepe, now senior director for parks development at the Trust for Public Land, served as commissioner of parks and recreation in New York City under Mayor Michael Bloomburg. During his tenure more than 700 acres of parkland were opened, including Brooklyn Bridge Park and the High Line.

"New York may be a concrete jungle, but you can find some stunning greenery between the skyscrapers and high-rise apartment buildings if you know where to look. In Sidewalk Gardens of New York, photographer Betsy Pinover Schiff reveals the most gorgeous gardens on sidewalks across the five boroughs." - Town & Country "It would take a monumental effort to travel across this huge metropolis to gauge just how widespread and transformative the trend of urban gardening has become. Luckily photographer Betsy Pinover Schiff has done that job for us. Open her new book, and you will find a comprehensive treasury of the new, green New York City. The beauty of Sidewalk Gardens of New York is that it can be both a travel guide to the new and greener city and also a primer for the urban home gardener. Anyone with horticultural desires can find inspiration in this book. Particularly in the chapter 'Urban Front Yards, ' there are plenty of commonsense ideas for beautifying one's own small patch of ground." - Gardenista "Across the country, urban landscapes known for concrete and glass have been embracing foliage and flowers. And not just the occasional geranium-filled flower box. Greenery-lined waterfront promenades have replaced windblown stretches of highway, gem-like 'pocket parks' featuring flower gardens and waterfalls have replaced empty lots, and even blighted rail tracks have sprouted gardens brimming with native grasses and shrubs. 'I noticed it all of a sudden one day while walking to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ' said photographer Betsy Pinover Schiff, 'New Yorkers clearly love to enter and exit their homes and offices through gorgeous garden spaces.'" - Associated Press "A welcoming book of fine photographs and equally fine descriptions of the new garden conscious city world. As New Yorkers themselves, the authors' love of place shines throughout the book." - Elaine Peterson, Board Member and Past President, The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons "There is always something blooming along the sidewalks of New York City. Landscape architects, garden designers, and plantsmen create magic year-round. Betsy Pinover Schiff's collection of photographs captures the great art of city gardening, the beauty, variety, and surprise." - Mary Jane Pool, Editor and Author