Central Park, a New York Jewel

Located in the center of Manhattan, Central Park is a large urban park of 840 acres bordered by 110th Street on the north, 59th Street on the south, and Fifth Avenue on the west.

Designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Clavert Vaux (both winners of a design contest held by the Central Park Commission), construction of this sprawling urban park began in 1853.  Officially opened in 1873, Central Park was initially a playground for the wealthy.  On any given day of the week and Sunday afternoons, the rich and the famous used the park as opportunity to take carriage rides, attend concerts and socialize.

Move forward to today and under the leadership of the Central Park Conservatory, Central Park boasts its own Zoo and miles of walking tracks used by runners, joggers, bicyclists and skaters.  Serving nearby communities, Lasker Rink and Pool converts to an ice-skating rink in the winter and an outdoor pool in the summer.  Central Park is also home to a wildlife sanctuary (Center Park Conservatory Garden), and is a haven for migrating birds along with bird watchers.  The park contains many lakes and ponds, a large area of natural woods, and a 106-acre reservoir encircled by a running track.  For entertainment there is an outdoor amphitheater known as Delacorte Theater, which is home to Shakespeare in the Park summer festivals as well as concerts, symphony performances and operas.  Children can take advantage of numerous playgrounds, puppet shows at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre and the famous Carousel built in 1870.

There are so many things to do and places to see in Central Park.  Make it a point to see for yourself, this jewel of New York City, the next time you visit!