The History of Central Park

Before Central Park became a tourist attraction, it was home to 1,600 residents who lived in makeshift shanties built upon the rocky terrain. Wealthy landowners were the ones who envisioned the park, borrowing ideas from the parks in London and Paris. Because the land was filled with swamps, rocks and hills, it was not suitable for any kind of development. The park covers 840 acres of land and was bought in the late 1850s to early 1860s for $7 million.

Thousands of immigrant workers were hired to help build the park. The days were long and filled with strenuous labor and they did all this for a mere $1.00 to $1.50 per day. They designed the park hoping that it would give families a place to spend time together. They made sure that anything they added to the landscape, like bridges and roads, blended in with its surroundings, making it look like it was one with the natural beauty around it.

Central Park is located in Manhattan and it is the first urban landscaped public park in the United States. Today, Central Park offers a multitude of scenery for visitors. There are wooded areas, four lakes, lawns for picnics and a pool. Many people who live in the area get their exercise by walking, running, jogging or bicycling down one of its many paths. They are many amenities available at the park, such as, ice skating, tennis, and roller skating to name a few. Central Park also has a zoo and beautiful gardens for your strolling pleasure.