Central Park

No visit to New York City is complete without a tour of Central Park, probably the most famous park in the world. Central Park encompasses about 843 acres and is located within the borough of Manhattan. The east side of the park borders along swanky Fifth Avenue. The other streets bordering the park are Central Park West, Central Park North (110th Street); and Central Park South (W. 59th Street).

Central Park opened in 1859 but was not always the cultural Mecca it is today. It began as a place where residents could get away from the noise and crowds one finds in all large cities. Throughout the years, Central Park underwent many changes, experienced years of neglect followed by several rehabilitative efforts by the various entities that took charge of the park.

Fiorella LaGuardia was the first New York City Mayor to “clean up” the park. He hired one of the world’s most successful urban planners, Robert Moses, for the job. Moses not saw that the grass was well maintained and flowers were planted, he filled in an existing reservoir to create the “Great Lawn” which is located in the center of the park, between the now existing reservoir and lake and the home of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on the East side of the Great Lawn.

In addition, Moses created baseball fields, handball courts and several playgrounds. During this time, Tavern on the Green, one of the most famous restaurants in the world, opened within the park. Central Park soon became the outdoor recreational capital of the city.

In the turbulent 1960s, Central Park became not only a cultural attraction, as still existing programs such as “Shakespeare in the Park” were introduced, but also a political venue as many demonstrations were staged within the park. Unfortunately, it was during this period that, again, the park began to fall into another period of neglect.

In the late 1970s, under Mayor Edward Koch, the Central Park Task Force was created over a growing concern of crime within the park. In 1980, a non-profit group, the Central Park Conservatory, was created to, again, rehabilitate the park. The Central Park Conservatory presently still oversees the park and, since its inception in 1980, has invested over 350 million dollars in making Central Park not only a place of beauty, but a the cultural, social and recreational center of Manhattan.

Cultural events such as plays, concerts and “Shakespeare in the Park” are presented each year in the open-air Delacorte Theater in the park, near Turtle Lake. Those who have performed in these productions include Academy award winners Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken as well as other well-known actors.

Overlooking The Garden of Central Park is Tavern on the Green, still in operation and famous for it’s “Crystal Room” that is completely enclosed in glass and overlooks the gardens. Each year, Tavern on the Green is the finish line for the New York City Marathon which takes place within Central Park.

Athletes enjoy the many sporting events that take place each year within the park, in addition to the Marathon. In addition to the many organized sports taking place throughout the year, the park is a center for recreation sports as well, including jogging along the six mile long Park Drive or ice skating in the winter on Lasker Rink.

Families can enjoy Central Park all year long. There are 21 different playgrounds for children and puppet show performances in the well known Swedish cottage that was first built in 1870. The park also offers various organizational activities for children throughout the year.

Art enthusiasts can not only visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but can view the park’s 29 sculptures, donated by various artists over the years, as well as several statues, including the Bronze Christopher Columbus statue created by Jeronimo Sunol in 1894.

There is literally so much to see and enjoy in this lovely park that is open to the public, free of charge, all year long. Central Park is an outdoor tribute to everything one loves about New York City.