6. Lotus Garden, Upper West Side

If you find yourself in the Upper West Side, do check out Lotus Garden, a private community garden on 97th Street, open to the public on Sundays between 1 and 4pm. It was in fact, one of the first green roofs in the city, created as a concession by the high rise built on the same plot, and credited with the turn-around of the developer’s business.

There are 29 plots on the 1/6 acre plot, which sits above a garage. The volunteer gardeners pay dues to the garden, which account for 1/3 of the budget. Community members who have access to the garden pay $20/year–there are 1000 keys in circulation. Original member fees were only $15 for a lifetime, but it quickly became clear it would take more than that to maintain the space for perpetuity (The garden only runs on about $6,000-$7000 per year).

With a fish pond, dense vegetation and a living wall, Lotus Garden is nothing short of a magical escape just above street level.

For more “untapped” respite in New York City, check out these five spots to enjoy some quiet in the city. Also, for more parks, check 13 of the best pocket parks in New York City.