Raspberry Picking in New York City

City-Kid Review:

There’s one! I’ll get it.
City Kid clambers into the undergrowth and picks a vibrantly red raspberry.

It’s raspberry season! I’m so excited.
First the Juneberries,
then the Mulberries
and now…Raspberries.

If we can go berry-picking in New York City, then why not?

The ones we picked are on a scrap of land between the north and south lanes of the West Side Highway as head down under the George Washington Bridge. It’s not as precarious as it sounds – it is the downward spiraling entrance into Fort Washington Park on the Hudson river. This, also, happens to be the way to the Little Red Lighthouse.

Most folks jog, run or bike past this shady scrap of woodland but if you stop for a moment at this time of year, you will see the shining red raspberries ready to be picked. There were still several not yet ripened, so next week I suspect they will have all turned red.

Raspberries are wonderful antioxidants and excellent for growing brains. More specifically, they are rich in Vitamin C and B-Complex Vitamins. They are filled with minerals such as manganese and potassium and are known for anti-aging properties (good for me, not so much for City Kid)

Due to pollution, most city berries don’t taste as sweet as the ones you find in the countryside, but these raspberries have a crisp freshness that we love. Another place you can scavenge for wild raspberries is in Central Park, as you enter the rambles opposite the American Museum of Natural History. I am certain they are in other parks too; if you spot some, please post below and we can map them.

Need to Knows:

You can get to this park by walking downhill along 181st street, towards the river. When you hit the highway, turn right and you will find a pedestrian bridge which takes you over the highway and onto the other side. Follow the bike/pedestrian path along the side of the highway (there are concrete bollards between you and the road) and you’ll see it turn to the right and spiral downwards. Very soon, you will see the berries on your right. If you have reached the bridge, you have gone too far.

FYI – there is another bush on the left just in front of the bridge behind the fence. We couldn’t reach but the berries looked perfect and will be wonderful bounty for someone with longer arms than mine. 🙂

Top-Tip

Try not to pick raspberries low to the ground. Dogs may have peed on them.

Have you spotted any raspberry plants ready to be harvested? Please share you information in the comments section, below.

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