New York Central Park

New York Central Park is an urban oasis embedded in the heart of Manhattan. The following is a detailed description of the park's overview, historical background, core attractions, special activities and operation mode:

‌I. Park Overview‌

New York Central Park starts from 59th Street in the south and reaches 110th Street in the north. It is surrounded by Fifth Avenue and Central Park West Avenue on the east and west sides. It covers an area of ​​about 3.41 square kilometers. It is the largest urban park in New York and one of the largest man-made natural landscapes in the world. The total length of the walking path in the park is 93 kilometers, spanning 51 blocks in length and 3 blocks in width, providing New Yorkers and tourists with a leisure space away from the hustle and bustle and close to nature.

‌II. Historical Background‌

‌Construction motivation‌: In the mid-19th century, New York City developed rapidly in the wave of industrialization and urbanization, with a large influx of immigrants and a sharp expansion of the city's population. Although the urban grid system introduced in 1811 planned some small open spaces, it could not meet people's urgent need for large leisure spaces. At that time, New York streets were narrow and crowded, sanitary conditions were poor, and diseases were rampant. People were extremely eager to have a piece of pure land that could comfort their souls.

‌Construction process‌: In 1853, the New York State Legislature approved funds to purchase land from 59th Street to 106th Street between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. The land was originally rocky and swampy, with some small farms and settlements. In 1857, a high-profile design competition kicked off, and the "Greensward Plan" submitted by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux stood out. In 1858, the park officially broke ground, and about 20,000 workers participated in this great construction project. They reshaped the terrain of the site and carefully created the beautiful and charming pastoral landscape today. In 1873, Central Park was finally completed.

‌Development stage‌:

‌Elite Park Stage (1850s-1870s): In the early days, Central Park mainly served the elite class, and only a few wealthy people could go there frequently.

‌Popular Park Stage (1870s - 1950s): With the popularization of cars and the opening of subways, Central Park gradually opened to the common people and became a leisure resort for the general public.

‌Desolate Park Stage (1960s - 1970s): Affected by the process of counter-urbanization and the economic crisis, Central Park fell into decline and became a place with a high crime rate.

‌Revival Stage (1980 to Present): In 1980, the non-profit organization "Central Park Conservancy" was established to take over the daily operation of Central Park. With the efforts of the Conservancy, Central Park gradually regained its vitality.

‌III. Core Attractions‌ ‌Bethesda Fountain and Platform‌: Bethesda Platform is the most concentrated embodiment of the architectural style. The name of the platform, Bethesda, comes from the Bible, John. The designer chose this name to establish a connection between its religious connotation and the cleanliness and moral implications of public space. The upper level of the platform corresponds to 72nd Street, which is far above the ground. There is a bicycle lane, which pedestrians must pass through when crossing the park from east to west; the lower level is an arcade, and the column base of the nearby stairs is inlaid with stone carvings. The theme is mainly flowers and birds, and the colonnade is responsible for evacuating the flow of people in the north-south direction.

‌Central Park Zoo‌: Although the area is not large, it is "small but complete". There are more than 160 kinds of animals from all over the world living here, which is a happy place for children. The sea lion pool in the center of the zoo is very popular, and the penguin area is no less popular. It is also the prototype of the zoo where the four animal protagonists in the famous cartoon "Madagascar" live.

‌Formal Garden‌: Such as Shakespeare Garden, Greenhouse Garden, etc., are full of poetry and romance. Shakespeare Garden was built in 1913, and it is planted with various flowers mentioned in Shakespeare's plays or poems; the Greenhouse Garden brings together rare plants from all over the world, and different flowers bloom in all seasons

‌Large Lawn‌: It is one of the most popular leisure areas in the park, where people can picnic, sunbathe, and engage in various outdoor asian escorts near Central Park activities.

‌Sheep Lawn‌: After being restored, it has become one of the favorite attractions for tourists. The surrounding environment is beautiful and suitable for walking and resting.

‌Observatory Castle‌: Located on a high ground in the park, visitors can overlook the beautiful scenery of the park and the city skyline of Manhattan.

‌IV. Special Activities‌ ‌Spring Cherry Blossom Viewing‌: Near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the breeze blows, and the petals fall like snow, like a dreamy pink rain curtain.

‌Summer Open-air Activities‌: The park will hold open-air concerts, open-air movies and other activities in the summer, attracting many music lovers and citizens to participate. Children play in the playground, and the lake in the park has become a good place for people to cool off.

‌Autumn Maple Viewing‌: Central Park in autumn is like a colorful dream painting. The leaves in the park seem to be dyed with various gorgeous colors by the magical colorist of nature, attracting countless tourists and photography enthusiasts to check in and take pictures.

‌Winter Skating‌: Wollman Rink is a traditional skating venue for New Yorkers, where many people take their first steps in ice skating. During the day, skaters glide lightly on the ice, surrounded by the natural beauty and skyscrapers of Central Park; at night, the lights are on and the skating rink is like a shining pearl.

‌V. Operational Model‌

Since 1980, the non-profit organization "Central Park Conservancy" has taken over the daily operation of the park and is responsible for training managers of other parks. The New York City government is responsible for the overall supervision, regulation and law enforcement of the park. As of 2013, the annual budget of Central Park is $65 million, of which 75% comes from private donations.