I live about half a mile from the 4,400 acre Superior Municipal Forest in Superior, Wisconsin. It's the third largest forest within a city in the US. Fine hiking, biking and crosscountry ski trails.
I enjoyed your post, Amy. Again, I learn much about the US from your writing. There are no forests near where I live in the UK. But we do have lots of open spaces, rivers and lakes, and large parks with woods. And plenty of trees everywhere. Many places to sketch!
Great article. In Philly we lived near Pennypack Park which is about 1,600 acres and the Wissahickon, which is about 1,800 acres. Not as big as Texas but not bad for a City that was around from the late 1,600s, and kept those parks and forests in spite of becoming very industrial.
I saw a sign very similar to that one warning about mountain lions, at a New Mexico forest park [not urban at all] where we stopped while on our way using back roads from Santa Fe to Los Alamos. It had a big lovely painting of a fiercely snarling mountain lion on it for emphasis. I have to admit, our picnic in its shade was uneasy and no one else joined us in the park area, despite it being a lovely early autumn day with the trees in full autumnal glory. We selected the table nearest our car for our meal... wonder why? I took a photo of the sign of course. It joined my small collection of memorable signs, one of which still makes me smile, found outside a pub in Pembrokeshire, UK... near some picnic tables, a swing and teeter totter ... "Children's playground and beer garden"
Hi! I was the one who won the two books, thank you very much! I thought you should know I received The Encyclopedia of Cocktails but not The Drunken Botanist. In case it’s lost in the mail (like the gift I sent to a friend in South Africa) I wanted to inform you. Thanks! Kathleen Kenna
Thanks for your shout-out for urban forests. As a suburban Portlander who's visited quite a few urban forests around the country, I agree that Forest Park is one of the best. Louisville's is mighty special, particularly in light of its proximity to Bernheim Arboretum and Forest - together they form an incredible green space, and to top it off - the Olmsted-planned park system. Which brings up Boston's Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace and park system. A delight on many levels.
I really enjoyed this post (and I have a son going to college in the Dallas Fort Worth area so I really enjoyed that part!). One thing that came to mind as I read: the opposite of giant urban forests - Pocket Forests - they seem to be a thing and I love it, too
I live about half a mile from the 4,400 acre Superior Municipal Forest in Superior, Wisconsin. It's the third largest forest within a city in the US. Fine hiking, biking and crosscountry ski trails.
This is delightful! There are a few great foresty parks here In Nashville. I love getting out for a hike through them.
I enjoyed your post, Amy. Again, I learn much about the US from your writing. There are no forests near where I live in the UK. But we do have lots of open spaces, rivers and lakes, and large parks with woods. And plenty of trees everywhere. Many places to sketch!
Great article. In Philly we lived near Pennypack Park which is about 1,600 acres and the Wissahickon, which is about 1,800 acres. Not as big as Texas but not bad for a City that was around from the late 1,600s, and kept those parks and forests in spite of becoming very industrial.
I saw a sign very similar to that one warning about mountain lions, at a New Mexico forest park [not urban at all] where we stopped while on our way using back roads from Santa Fe to Los Alamos. It had a big lovely painting of a fiercely snarling mountain lion on it for emphasis. I have to admit, our picnic in its shade was uneasy and no one else joined us in the park area, despite it being a lovely early autumn day with the trees in full autumnal glory. We selected the table nearest our car for our meal... wonder why? I took a photo of the sign of course. It joined my small collection of memorable signs, one of which still makes me smile, found outside a pub in Pembrokeshire, UK... near some picnic tables, a swing and teeter totter ... "Children's playground and beer garden"
Hi! I was the one who won the two books, thank you very much! I thought you should know I received The Encyclopedia of Cocktails but not The Drunken Botanist. In case it’s lost in the mail (like the gift I sent to a friend in South Africa) I wanted to inform you. Thanks! Kathleen Kenna
Rock Creek Park in DC isn't nearly as large as these others, but it's quite delightful in all seasons.
Thanks for your shout-out for urban forests. As a suburban Portlander who's visited quite a few urban forests around the country, I agree that Forest Park is one of the best. Louisville's is mighty special, particularly in light of its proximity to Bernheim Arboretum and Forest - together they form an incredible green space, and to top it off - the Olmsted-planned park system. Which brings up Boston's Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace and park system. A delight on many levels.
I really enjoyed this post (and I have a son going to college in the Dallas Fort Worth area so I really enjoyed that part!). One thing that came to mind as I read: the opposite of giant urban forests - Pocket Forests - they seem to be a thing and I love it, too
I want to drive up and visit this some time:
https://www.berkeleyside.org/2022/12/08/miyawaki-pocket-forests-berkeley-unified-school-district
and, in general:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/climate/tiny-forests-climate-miyawaki.html