I have lived by and loved the High Line Canal for most of my adult life. I logged countless pleasant miles on its dirt and tree-lined path, but my most memorable and joyful time on the Canal was when I was joined on the path by my little grandson.

Our walks began when he was a one-year-old while his parents worked. We walked once or twice a day, every day, in all the seasons and pretty much any weather.

My grandson loved these walks; he especially loved it when I said, “Let’s go visit the animals.” It didn’t matter to us if we had to spend a lot of time waiting for the horses, the three goats, and the one lone donkey to show their faces at the mini-farm adjacent to the Canal. We’d entertain ourselves by strolling around the area picking up small rocks, cottonwood twigs, feathers, and kicking fallen leaves. Spotting ducks diving into a pond was always a special treat along with observing the many birds and squirrels. Sometimes we’d walk the Canal to my favorite fabric store where my grandson’s excitement inspired many a craft project for me.

I continue to do those walks and revisit the times spent with the grandson because they are still part of both of us. And to think —  the path through nature that brought us so close was right in my backyard! As a special remembrance for my grandson, I made a jigsaw puzzle out of a treasured photo of us on the Canal. On the back of the box, I wrote: “Grandson, May you have a lifetime filled with ‘nature walks’. Love, Grandma & Grandpa”

I am so grateful for the High Line Canal.

– Ann Kitchin