With the weather getting colder, the trees changing colors, and the holidays around the corner, what’s not to love about fall? The beautiful array of oranges, greens, and browns outdoors mark the end of summer but the beginning of the best time of the year, in my humble opinion. Even though running outdoors in the summer might seem more practical, there are still plenty of reasons to go outside on your runs! Manhattan certainly has charming parks all around, but one of the spots where you can get the best trails and overall views is right across the bridge in Brooklyn! Here is why your next running spot must be Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, and why this is the best time of year to do it!  

1. The many running paths- Contrary to a lot of parks where you run/walk in a loop, Prospect Park has a wide variety of different paths you can take! You can choose to run along the wide sidewalks beside Prospect Park West, the many different trails within the park, or the loops around large baseball fields! 
2. The friendly environment- New Yorkers might get the stereotype of being rude and fast paced, but in Prospect Park it is like a whole other world. Families are out passing each other footballs, friends are on walks, and people are out walking their dogs. All these groups are enjoying the peaceful and beautiful natural scenery that is Prospect Park! It is truly a mood lifter to see so many people out enjoying their day, as opposed to the stern and focused faces Pace students are used to seeing on their way to class. These friendly faces make running that much more positive.  
3. The beautiful views- If you’re looking for a break from the tall cityscapes of Manhattan, and want to surround yourself with nature, Prospect Park is the place to be. Just a few blocks down from the typical streets of Brooklyn you’ll find this large park with picturesque sights ranging from a horizon of colorful trees to cascading sunsets overlooking the borough of Brooklyn. It’s almost impossible to not stop on your run to snap a shot! 
4. The lighting- Running outdoors is truly a ticking time bomb, especially with daylight savings taking away out afternoon sun. This, however, is not a huge issue for students wanting to get their run in during the afternoons because of the many light posts all along every path! Even when the sun is down, the park is still full of people enjoying the outdoors and having a great time. Prospect Park is a great option for students who have morning classes but still want to get their afternoon run in without wanting to be out in the dark. This is also a plus for girls who want to find a safe place to run after sunset!  
5.  So many people are active– Whether you see people biking, running, throwing a ball, walking their dog, or simply out for a walk, everyone is active! One of the things that personally inspires and motivates me to get active is when I see other people doing the same! It encourages me to keep going and continue to surround myself in this positive and healthy environment – and incentivizes me to want to keep coming back! 

All in all, no matter where you run and get your body moving during these stressful academic times, you’re doing yourself a huge favor! Taking some time for yourself, especially as a busy college student, is crucial to keeping yourself happy and healthy, and Prospect Park is a perfect space for you to do so!