Today’s volunteer event was park revitalization at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem (?). The park started on 128th, it was way in upper Harlem and I biked around 11 miles to get there over the Brooklyn Bridge and up the Westside pedestrian path.
There we did mulching for maybe 2 1/2 hours [10:15-12:45]. I’m excellent at moving mulch, but I was no match for the tiny Asian lady who kicked all our asses. We shared a moment about how neither of us were a competitor to our mothers, who would mulch [mulch] faster than anyone we knew.
Overall the crew was excellent. We had a good attitude and work pace and energy. It was fun, as we shoveled and spread mildly decomposing wood on the first nice Saturday mornings in months.
I climbed rocks. I played with sticks. I worked really hard. It was all and all an excellent day. The park was cool I wanted to do more exploring after the work but the long ride back made me just pick up and go. I used the 2nd ave green bike path to come back, then over the Manhattan bridge. Even with the goddamn car accident 2nd ave might have been a better ride. [I was slowing down a bit approaching a crossing I had a greenlight and check my right to see a car signaling for a left turn. I continue, since I have the right of way and momentum. But I straight up see her continue her turn without looking at me. I have a second to slam my breaks, de-clip, and turn away but I still end up smacking into car and falling. She stops, I have the tiniest scarp on my elbow, everything is fine. The crossing guard checks up on me. I’m good if a little jarred. Whatever, learning lesson right thur. Also bike culture is real here. Also, the one clip hangout at lights.]
The other volunteers did some raking and brush work to clean up the path. Our group was solidly the more efficient workers, we ended up moving about like 10 cubic yards between the 4-6 of us that rotated in an out of work. I also dug an irrigation edge ditch around the perimeter.
I’m always a fan of the work. Something about the physical work involved in the digging and mulching is highly rewarding. You find a groove of work and are able to get things done. Then you can see the results of the labor.
I love working in parks in the sun too, it’s just an enjoyable feeling.
The bike rides were fun and fast, I used all my good karma though getting clipped by that car.
No damage tho, so I can’t even be upset. And got it looked at in the shop. So all good!
I plan on doing a little more riding, trying to go to work on Monday (?) with bike
I am volunteering twice next week I guess? The Farm, the book drive? I mean I don’t have to plan/practice anymore, might as well.
Side note, I ended up near the movie theatre I saw Black Panther in with PS 208 one more of those, I am getting around
