You don’t have to be a New Yorker, or even have visited the city, to appreciate what Aaron Poochigian is writing in Four Walks in Central Park. While I’ve never personally walked those paths myself, I still found something grounding in this poetic journey through one of the world’s most iconic parks.

The book is divided into four thoughtfully crafted sections, each one designed to guide you through Central Park based on your emotional state. Whether you’re feeling burnt out, lost, heavy-hearted, or just disconnected from the world around you, there’s a walk for you:

• A walk for the overworked
• A walk for the fallow
• A walk for the melancholy
• A walk for the disillusioned

Each route comes with clear directions, maps, and even photos, highlighting well-known landmarks and hidden corners. But what really stands out is how these walks are more than just physical. They’re emotional and reflective, like little invitations to slow down and reset. Even without a personal connection to Central Park, I could feel the underlying message, such as take a breath, keep walking, and don’t be afraid to begin again after a fall.

My Favorite Bits

• The Artists’ Gate

(..) It’s not a race (you are already winning),

so how would you prefer to travel? (..)

but recommend, most humbly, we should walk,

like, at an easy pace. You know, like stroll.

That way we wide-eyed connoisseurs can talk

about the visions this ambitious outing

delivers without sputtering or shouting. (..)

• The Children’s Gate

Perfect: ice creams and a nice day out

Today we’ll enter through the Children’s Gate

That’s right: we’ll go on mkse-believe safari,

pretend a walkabout and laugh and shout

like fascinated children, but (I’m sorry)

this tour’s for grownups. Our ambitious route

must pass through omens of our nation’s fate,

a hoax and history and homicide.

There will be much to notice, much to mull,

much we agree on, much that will divide.

---

Author: Aaron Poochigian

Publication date: 9 September 2025

Number of pages: 144 pages

---