New York City’s landmark Central Park plays host to one of the country’s largest 5K races, the annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women. On May 1, thousands of people participated in the event, which raises awareness for women’s health and fitness. Isabella Rossellini was among the many celebrities who donated her time to highlight the cause. While she has spent the majority of her life pursuing acting, modeling, writing and most recently creating perfume, she is at heart a philanthropist. Her activities include helping the Central Park Conservancy, and preserving land in Long Island, N.Y. In Hollywood, Rossellini may be considered an atypical artist, who always seems attracted to non-traditional films such as David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet,” and Guy Maddin’s, “The Saddest Music in the World.” But in nature, Rossellini is down to earth, seeking the quietude that only a horizon filled with trees can deliver.

 

Isabella Rossellini: I moved from downtown—where we lived in Tri- BecA—to 85th street near the Metropolitan Museum, and I started going to the park everyday with my dogs and my children. My neighbor at the time was the former president of the Central Park Conservancy and I contacted her about making a documentary about the wildlife of Central Park. Through the documentary I got to know people at the Conservancy. I help Central Park with donations or activities, but [no longer] as a trustee of the Conservancy. I don’t have time now, maybe when I’m older and retired.

 

Rossellini: I live close to The Reservoir, where I generally take my walks. In the northern part of the park, the wooded area and the Harlem Meer are really beautiful. It’s further away than where I live, and maybe that’s why when I get there with my bike I find it so magical. Also, the wooded area is pretty thick and wild, you feel like you’re really far from the city.

 

Rossellini: I have lived in New York City for 33 years, and most of my traveling is between Paris, Los Angeles and New York, although I go to visit my family in Rome, and we have several beautiful parks. They don’t seem to have as much activity and initiatives as the one in New York City—there are some museums, and the zoo and bike riding. I can’t compare. It just seems that Central Park, maybe because it’s the only greenery in all New York, seems to be more crowded and more full of people. It seems to be the only place for people to go. While in Rome, every neighborhood has its park.

 

Rossellini: It is a lot of fun to be Katya —Jennifer Garner’s aunt in “Alias.” I love Jennifer, she is a great, great gal—very sympatica. And so is the rest of the cast. There is always an atmosphere of great fun and friendship. I’m always looking forward to flying to Los Angeles and being with them at the time when we shoot the episodes.

 

Rossellini: I don’t train at all. Most of the time, I shoot people or I have a stunt person. Sometimes I kiss people and I don’t need any instruction for that.

 

Rossellini: I generally go to the gym every day for an hour. I mostly do yoga and swimming and Pilates, and I walk my dogs every day in the park. And often, when it isn’t raining or not too cold, I take my bike and ride around the park. My dogs sometimes run up to me or I have a little basket where they can sit and I ride with them.