History of Central Park
As New York City’s population grew exponentially in the first half of the 19th century, crammed residents began looking for open green spaces to escape to. In 1851, then-mayor Ambrose Kingsland proposed a plan for the park that would one day become Central Park; it was passed by the state legislature in 1853.
After an open competition, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, two landscape architects, were chosen to design the park. Their plan focused on separating the roadways running through the park from the park itself, and making the environment look as natural as possible. The park as Olmsted and Vaux planned it was completed in 1876.
However, to make space for Central Park, the city government seized a thriving majority-Black area called Seneca Village under eminent domain. The residents were forced to move out and their houses were torn down; the settlement was largely forgotten until the 1990s, when historians brought the village’s story back into the public eye.
Things to Do in Central Park
From carriage rides to leisurely strolls, boating on the lake to birdwatching in the Ramble, Central Park has countless things for New York City residents and visitors alike to do. The park boasts 6.1 miles of scenic paths, which include protected bike lanes; it is also home to a number of baseball and soccer fields, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, and two ice rinks.
Beyond these recreational activities, Central Park is home to dozens of attractions, natural and otherwise. Here are some of the park’s most interesting features:
Belvedere Castle
Italian for ‘beautiful view,’ Belvedere Castle perches atop the second-highest outcropping in Central Park, Vista Rock. The entire castle has gorgeous, panoramic views of the park; it is also home to one of the park’s visitor centers and a gift shop.
The Ramble
Over 36 acres in the heart of the park, The Ramble is a recreation of the pastoral woodlands of upstate New York. Dense and natural, walking through the Ramble feels a little like being lost in the woods — despite your position at the center of the city. It is a stop on the Atlantic Flyway, which designates many birds’ migratory pattern, so it is also a great place for birdwatching.
Bethesda Fountain
Possibly Central Park’s most iconic destination, Bethesda Fountain and its nearby terrace are central architectural features of the park. Sculpted by Emma Stebbins, the fountain’s elegant angel represents a blessing for the city. The terrace, meanwhile, was constructed in two sculptural levels, and is now often the site of many public performances.
Conservatory Garden
Central Park’s only formal garden, Conservatory Garden, is split into three sections, each inspired by a European Renaissance tradition. The South Garden was designed in the formal English style, the North Garden is French, and the Center Garden is Italianate. It is one of the most romantic spots in the entire park, lush as it is with perennial flowers and ornate decor.
Central Park has something for everyone. Besides these most prominent features, guests should also visit Delacorte Theater — where Shakespeare in the Park is performed every summer — as well as the mononymous Lake. Visit Central Park’s official website for more information.
