gracieallen

Carl Schurz Park , which starts at Gracie Square and goes up past Gracie Mansion, along the East River, is one of Manhattan's less-known treasures. The park has a great Parks Department gardener, well-supported by donors, neighborhood volunteers, and the non-profit Carl Schurz Park Association.
In April there are thousands of daffodils. They were planted in autumn, 2001, part of a gift to the city from Dutch bulb growers and the city of Rotterdam, as condolence for September 11. In May comes the flowering of a famous colonnade of cherry trees at the eastern end of 86th street. At all times of year, on sunny days, you'll see people sitting on benches along the East River esplanade. A half-mile jog or bike ride north takes you to a bridge to Randall's Island, which has bike paths, soccer fields, and new Parks Department plantings along the river.
Asphalt Green is one of the good points of the neighborhood. Good yoga, pilates, and other classes, plus weight rooms and machines. It has the best swimming pool in Manhattan.
Prices in the area are good right now. One Gracie and Ten Gracie are the legendary buildings. Irving Berlin lived at One Gracie when he was writing the words and music for Annie Get Your Gun. Madame Chiang Kai-Shek lived in Ten Gracie until her death at age 105.