Our friends over at Planet Green came up with five low-impact ways to explore New York City’s Central Park. Most of them are free and all of them are decidedly earth-friendly. So why aren’t you there right now enjoying nature?

The first landscaped public park in the United States, Central Park has been the Big Apple’s 843-acre oasis for over 150 years. Perhaps the ultimate staycation destination in NYC, Manhattan’s backyard is home to:

26,000 trees

61 species of bird (numbering 7,776 birds in total)

A 71-foot, 244-ton obelisk originally erected in Egypt around 1500 BCE

6.1 miles of trails for running, cycling, hiking, and rollerblading

Lakes, meers, castles, skating rinks, and a whole lot more

To learn more about America’s most popular park, check out Planet Green.

Editor’s note: Article by Mickey Z. Originally published by our friends at Planet Green. Planet Green is an offshoot of Discovery that covers every aspect of green living, from tofu to tattoos. Be sure to visit them and say hi, and follow Planet Green on Twitter, too!

Image: edyourdon

Who doesn’t love vacations? You get to take a break from your daily routine, relish days of uninterrupted laziness, indulge in your favorite activities and spend time with your friends or loved ones. Oh yeah, and completely forget about your job! (At least we hope.)

Of course, with the recession still affecting many of us, and the steep cost of airfare, hotels, meals and events that comes with a vacation, you might consider a staycation instead (it’s definitely green!). Live in San Francisco and never been to Alcatraz? Pencil it in for your next staycation. Or maybe you’re a D.C. dweller and have yet to tour the Smithsonian. Why not make it a date?

VivaTerra is helping to make the staycation concept even more appealing with a chance to win this classic Painted Reclaimed Redwood Adirondack chair.

Just e-mail your ideas for the perfect stay-at-home vacation to ideas@vivaterra.com before June 1 to enter in the drawing. Only one entry is allowed per person. Good luck!