Central Park

Central Park is a green oasis in the heart of the concrete jungle known as New York City. The ten million dollar park plan was the vision of two architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who were the winners of a public design competition. The city chose Manhattan for the park's location and bought 840 acres of land for it. Central Park's design was ahead of its time, with efforts made to keep all structures as natural as possible to fit in with the existing landscape. After evicting 1,600 people and compensating the landlords who owned the property, construction of the park began in 1857, and took about twenty years to construct.

In the early years, the park served as a status symbol for the elite, who paraded their carriages, socialized with their wealthy friends, and enjoyed Saturday concerts. Over time, the park evolved into a working class family park with lawns and playgrounds. Even ballclubs were allowed to play where previously, “Please Keep Off the Grass” signs existed.

Today, Central Park is the park of the people, and it is hard to imagine the hardship involved in creating the masterpiece that so many enjoy. Throughout the years, the park has gone through cycles of decline and renovation. A staggering 25 million people visit the park each year. There are 58 miles of pedestrian paths, 150 acres of water, 250 acres of lawn, and 136 acres of woodlands right in the middle of the largest urban area of the country.