By my definition of park, there are only two in New York

Although Google Maps suggests there is a park every half-mile, Holly Baxter finds that to discover true greenery, Central and Prospect are the only options

Prospect Park in Brooklyn offers an escape from the urban metropolis (iStock)

When I first moved to New York, my British friend – who’d been resident in the city for a few years – told me to “live by the park”. I thought that was quite quaint. I’m moving to the Big Apple here, not considering a retirement home! I thought smugly to myself.

Parks?! What about hidden underground bars, overpriced spas, subways with lines that go directly to Times Square, proximity to restaurants which serve burgers bigger than my head?! Who cares if I don’t see a tree for the next seven years? I’m going to the big city!

Well, it turns out we all love trees more than we think we do.