A self-described wanderer, or flâneur, neighbor Bob Lejeune walks himself right into many a photo opportunity. His Flickr page has a disproportionately large number of truly fine photographs. Some have an ethereal quality and look not in the least like photographs. Others capture patterns and quickly become objects of abstract art. Still others, such as the three featured here with Bob's kind permission, translate the kinetic energy of the city and its citizens who are, like Bob, out and about.
As you'd expect from a wanderer, his photos hail from all over the city. But I have a particular fondness for his local shots, such as these three taken right here in Riverside Park. You may recognize the site as the traveling rings playground which is down at the river sandwiched between soccer fields at the level of W. 105th Street. The rings have a wonderfully community-minded history, thanks to Dorlene Kaplan and her husband, and the Riverside Park Fund. It bears retelling that back in 2002 this section of the park almost became an "adventure" concession called "Adrenaline Heights."
If you've never been down there, stop by and take a look at the paragons of upper body strength swinging freely from ring to ring. The folks who make the traveling rings look easy are poetry in motion. I've never seen a hula hooper down there, but after coming upon Bob's shots, I am going to keep my eye out for one, as well as for unicyclists, stilt and tightrope walkers and jugglers...all denizens of this little hidden nook of Riverside Park.
By Caitlin Hawke
P.S. If you are really into it, check out this site and this one.
Update: On July 24, 2014, the New York Times ran this piece on our rings.
As you'd expect from a wanderer, his photos hail from all over the city. But I have a particular fondness for his local shots, such as these three taken right here in Riverside Park. You may recognize the site as the traveling rings playground which is down at the river sandwiched between soccer fields at the level of W. 105th Street. The rings have a wonderfully community-minded history, thanks to Dorlene Kaplan and her husband, and the Riverside Park Fund. It bears retelling that back in 2002 this section of the park almost became an "adventure" concession called "Adrenaline Heights."
If you've never been down there, stop by and take a look at the paragons of upper body strength swinging freely from ring to ring. The folks who make the traveling rings look easy are poetry in motion. I've never seen a hula hooper down there, but after coming upon Bob's shots, I am going to keep my eye out for one, as well as for unicyclists, stilt and tightrope walkers and jugglers...all denizens of this little hidden nook of Riverside Park.
By Caitlin Hawke
P.S. If you are really into it, check out this site and this one.
Update: On July 24, 2014, the New York Times ran this piece on our rings.
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