New York’s “backyard,” an 843-acre swathe of green,
provides recreation and beauty for over two million visitors each year.
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the park
took 16 years to create and involved the planting of over 500,000 trees
and shrubs, the hauling in of vast amounts of stone and earth to form
hills, lakes, and meadows, and the building of 30 stone-and-iron bridges
and arches.
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Central Park was the
first landscaping project for Frederick Law Olmsted, who was already 43
years old. Rejecting the usual formal plantings, he created passages of
contrasting scenery, calm and pastoral against the rugged and
picturesque. Areas for active and passive recreation were separated, and
dense raised plantings shut out the surrounding city. The park brought
Olmsted high praise and set a pattern for landscapes that followed. He
went on to become America’s most prolific designer of parks.
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The Beresford apartments on Central Park West
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Refreshments and light lunches are available at the Boat House snack bar; The Boat House restaurant serves gourmet meals.
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Make your first stop The
Dairy, a Victorian Gothic building housing the Visitor Center. Ask about
the free nature workshops and guided walks.
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Rent bicycles, rowboats, and gondolas from the Boathouse, and skates at the Wollman Rink.
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The Visitor Center is open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun, and can be contacted on: 212 794 6564
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Top 10 Features
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Great Lawn
This
is a 13-acre oval of green lawn. In summer, free concerts by the
Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic draw as many as 100,000
people.
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Bethesda Terrace
Overlooking
the lake and Ramble, the ornate terrace and its fountain are the focal
point of the park. On the adjacent tree-lined Mall inline skaters often
show off acrobatic stunts.
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Belvedere Castle
A
19th-century stone castle atop a rock, complete with towers and
turrets, offers peerless views in all directions. Inside is the Henry
Luce Nature Observatory with exhibits covering the surprisingly diverse
wildlife found in the park.
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The Ramble
This
wooded 37 acres of land is crisscrossed by paths and streams and is a
paradise for bird-watchers. Over 270 species have been spotted in
Central Park, which is on the Atlantic migration flyway.
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Reservoir
The
106-acre lake is rimmed by a 1.6-mile (5-km) running track used by
joggers. It is the largest of the park’s five lakes and ponds, which
include Conservatory Water, where model boat races are held each
Saturday.
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Strawberry Fields
This
peaceful garden area was created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon,
who lived in the nearby Dakota apartments. Gifts for the memorial came
from all over the world.
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Conservatory Garden
An
elegant 6-acre formal garden with fountains and beautiful displays of
flowering trees, bulbs, annuals, and perennials is at its best in the
spring, when crab-apples, tulips, and azaleas are in bloom.
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Hans Christian Andersen Statue
Children’s
storytelling sessions are held here in the summer. Other activities for
youngsters include nature workshops, a vintage carousel, and a
marionette theater.
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Central Park Zoo
This
conservation center and children’s zoo has three climate zones. The
space features a rainforest and over 100 species, including seals,
monkeys, and penguins.
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Delacorte Theater
The
New York Public Theater presents two “Shakespeare in the Park”
productions in July and August. Free tickets are available on the day,
but get in line early. Other free park entertainment includes a Summer
Stage series of popular music and dance.
