The Lotus Garden

Most New Yorkers are used to small apartments with little natural light. It’s the price we pay to live in the city that never sleeps. However, if you are craving a little oasis in the city you should check out the Lotus Garden. This unlikely gem is hidden in plain sight. The 7000 sq foot garden is above a garage on W 97th street between Broadway and West End Avenue.

The Lotus Garden is a rooftop paradise on the Upper West Side.

The garden boasts flowers, trees, and an enchanting koi pond. This urban sanctuary is comprised of plots tended by garden members. The garden is open to the public on Sunday afternoons from April to November. If you are a member you may visit the garden during daylight hours during the season. Members may also choose to volunteer at events or with cleaning up the garden at the end of the season and preparing It for winter.

The Lotus Garden is open from April to November

The garden maintains a tranquil environment. It’s not a place for members to hold parties and they don’t allow pets or alcohol. The garden is meant to be a small pocket of zen in the city. I enjoy sitting near the koi pond with an iced coffee during the summer and enjoy reading a book up there on a cooler day.

Membership is a bargain. $20 a year will get you your own key to the garden. Seniors may purchase a key for $10 a year. If you are interested in visiting, joining, or donating to the Lotus garden you can find more information on their website.