Bare Chests and Bare Branches

Some thought it was frightening, others found it delightful, but all agreed that a 72 degree (22 C) day in January was astonishing. On a date that normally demands hats, gloves, mufflers and heavy overcoats, New Yorkers ventured out in t-shirts, shorts and sandals.

If not for the bare branches overhead, this could have been mistaken for a day in May. Since the unseasonably warm weather came on a Saturday, when most residents were free of commitments to work or school, many families were able to enjoy the sunny weather together.

Brooklynites walked, ran, rode and skated to Prospect Park to jog, picnic, relax, mingle and play. They scampered across still-green lawns flying frisbees and kites, read and picnicked under shadeless trees, romped through the playground and practiced yoga and Tai Chi under the clear blue sky. Tennis rackets shed their covers, volleyball nets were strung up, footballs taken out of closets and a clown made an appearance at the playground.

Tomorrow the temperature will drop 20 degrees; jackets will again be worn, ears will again be covered, tennis rackets and footballs will again be relegated to the closet. But for one bright, shining day, Mother Nature gave Brooklyn a brief, shining, early taste of spring.


The brilliant blue sky above Grand Army Plaza  


Sitting in the sun at Grand Army Plaza  


Sunbathing on the lawn  


Father teaching daughter to play  


Playing with a remote-control car  


Jogging  


Boys on the Harmony Playground  


Mastering training wheels  


Skateboarding  


Making balloon animals at the playground  


Muffin the cat, secure in his harness  


Climbing the harp sculpture  


Crowded roadways  


Biker in an Oscar the Grouch shirt  


Walking a dog  


Reading  

NY Times: 72-Degree Day Breaks Record in New York
Prospect Park