Philly Tries to Diss The Bronx—Now It’s Time to Fight Back!

Ok so a friendly contest just got real and we need you all to vote and WIN!

A Philadelphia journalist took a shot at The Bronx with regards to USA Today’s reader’s choice award for the best botanical garden.

For days now, The New York Botanical Garden has been alternating first place with Philadelphia’s Longwood Gardens.

In the post they write:

“What does the New York Botanical Garden have that Longwood Gardens lacks? Perhaps its surrounding neighbors.

The New York site’s 250 acres lie within the Bronx, one of the nation’s densest, greenery-starved locales. How else to explain  the fact that the New York attraction keeps grabbing the lead from Longwood in the 2016 USA Today Readers’ Choice Travel Awards?

Certainly, it’s not a question of acreage: At 1,077, Longwood boasts more than four times the display space.”

First of all, according to The Trust for Public Land, New York City ranks the top in the nation in terms of green space—19.5% of our land is dedicated to parks and The Bronx’s total area is almost 25% of its total.

Philadelphia comes in 7th on the list with 12.6% of its land dedicated to green spaces.

That’s almost half of what our beautiful Bronx has. In fact, if The Bronx were a separate city, we’d leave rest in the dust and would be #1. (We’re also one of the greenest urban counties in the country!)

Not to mention that we also have 3 of the largest parks in NYC.

The New York Botanical Garden may be smaller but it’s a recognized global leader in botany not to mention its world-class exhibition and it sure packs a lot in those 250 acres.

So if we’re continuously knocking Philadelphia’s Longwood Gardens down to second place, it’s only fitting given the grandeur of our beautiful garden.

Now get out and vote, vote, vote ! You’re allowed to vote once per day until Monday at Noon (March 28th) but you can vote from all your devices.

Spread the news and let’s secure the #1 spot!

Isn’t the conservatory just splendid?

The beautiful Enid A. Haupt Conservatory — a New York City and National Landmark

Lauren Click, Director of Community and Public Programs at The Bronx Museum was one of my fellow judges. Of course she had to come into character for the event!

Can we talk about the adorable children who entered the contest?

Cannot HANDLE the cuteness in this picture with Frida and Diego in the children’s contest!

So many Fridas yet only a few could be chosen as winners. This was hard. Oh so hard.

Frida contestant and child.

Is this fun or what? These two Fridas are originally from The Bronx but now live in Yonkers came to join in the fun.

One of the winning Fridas who one not only for props and looks but the authenticity she gave us!

1st Place winners of the couple’s contest. Look at Frida gazing into Diego’s eyes.

All our Fridas patiently waiting for the announcement of the winners.

And the winner is…

A Frida look-alike contest with her daughter at NYBG this past Saturday.

Ed García Conde

Ed García Conde is a life-long Bronxite who spends his time documenting the people, places, and things that make the borough a special place in the hopes of dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with The Bronx. His writings are often cited by mainstream media and is often consulted for his expertise on the borough's rich history.