New York photographer Jeffrey Milstein wanted to capture aerial photos of the places "where humans gather" across New York and California. His photo series Parks and Recreation features Milstein's dizzying style of sky-high photography, created by leaning out of a helicopter.
Midtown Manhattan
Parks and Recreation shows public spaces like Times Square, Bryant Park, and Washington Park, museums and monuments like Griffith Observatory, the Getty Museum, and the Statue of Liberty, and sports and amusement parks like Venice skatepark, Santa Monica pier, and Coney Island.
Venice Beach surfers in California
Milstein told the Rex USA agency: "From earliest times people gathered in public spaces for community events, sharing of information, and sporting competition. Italian towns formed around public piazzas. The Greeks had the agora, the Acropolis, and outdoor theaters. Great cities like London and New York have devoted valuable land to public parks."
The Statue of Liberty in NYC
Milstein was inspired to pay tribute to these open public spaces by research from Dr. Laura Payne of the University of Illinois, who says that people who take part in park activities have fewer doctor visits, a lower body mass index, and lower systolic blood pressure.
Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn
Racetrack at Coney Island
Universal Studios in Los Angeles
Santa Monica Pier in California
Downtown LA
Central Park West in NYC
Union Square Park in NYC
Bryant Park in NYC
Times Square in NYC
View of the Chrysler Building in NYC
Venice Beach drum circle
Venice Beach fishing pier in Los Angeles
Getty Museum in California
Venice Beach skatepark in Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles
LAX Terminal
Baldwin Hills apartments in LA
