Central Park - Central Park

Central Park is a district of the city of New York.

To know

Central Park it is a huge park of New York, and forms a large green area in the Uptown area Manhattan and a real district in itself that almost separates theUpper East Side fromUpper West Side, staying south of Harlem. It has an area of ​​about 3.4 km², in the shape of a rectangle with sides of 4 km and 800 m respectively. It is located in the center of the island of Manhattan and it represents a real oasis for New Yorkers who come here to relax and get away from the skyscrapers. Central Park is very famous, having appeared in hundreds of films and television programs, so much so that it has become one of the most famous parks in the world.

Geographical notes

Central Park borders are Central Park North (110th Street) to the north, Fifth Avenue to the east, Columbus Circle and Central Park South (59th Street) to the south, and Central Park West (Eighth Avenue, or Frederick Douglass Boulevard to the west). north of Central Park).

Background

In the mid-nineteenth century, after realizing New Yorkers' need for a public green space where they could relax and get away from the grime and chaos of the city, the New York administration took over a large area of ​​Upper Manhattan. Exterior architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux developed the park's design, influenced by the natural landscapes that were so fashionable among the public parks of the time. Every architectural feature and road had to visually integrate with the surrounding landscape to maintain the "rustic" appearance of the park. Central Park was officially completed in 1873, with hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of land brought in from New Jersey along with millions of trees, bushes, plants that went to decorate the park.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the park fell into a state of neglect due to lack of maintenance, with dead trees, untreated lawns, dirt and vandalism. In the 30s of the twentieth century Central Park received a new strong impulse and many of the problems were solved until the end of the century when it again fell into disrepair also due to the high crime recorded between the 60s and 70s. In 1980 the company was founded. Central Park Conservancy by order of the city with the aim of restoring and managing the park. Today the violence of the past has disappeared and the only thing you need to stay safe in Central Park is simply common sense.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By subway

Central Park can be reached by subway, with lines TO, B., C., D., is 1 stopping at Columbus Circle (southwest corner of the park), with the B and C continuing along Central Park West, stopping at 72nd St, 81st St (under the Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side), 86th St, 96th St, 103rd St and 110 St. Just west of the 1 (local) and lines 2/3 (express) go on Broadway, although this avenue goes further and further west as it passes north of Columbus Circle. Lines 2/3 also stop between 110th Street and Lenox Avenue, near the northeast corner of the park. On the Upper East Side the park can be reached by lines 4, 5 is 6 along Lexington Avenue and then walking 3 blocks west. There is also a line stop No., Q is R. between 5th Avenue and 60th Street, and one of the line F. at 57th Street and 6th Avenue, both of which are near the southern edge of the park.

By bus

The park is crisscrossed by several bus lines running east to west along the cross roads (M106, M96, M86, M79, M72, and M66, all connected to the Metro), as well as lines M1, M2, M3, and M4 along 5th Avenue / Madison Avenue, and M10 along Central Park West.

How to get around

What see

Central Park for convenience is divided into 4 "quadrants". From south to north:

South End

• Arsenal, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue. Free. Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm. Picturesque building before the park. Built in 1851 as an ammunition depot for the New York State National Guard and designed as an old medieval fortress. Today the building houses refreshment areas and murals representing the various activities of the park. 

• Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, Terrace Drive (72nd St.) (in the middle of the park). One of the most important meeting points in Manhattan, the symbol is the fountain Angel of the Waters of 1873 and one of the true icons of the park. 
• Billy Johnson Playground, 5th Avenue and 67th Street (north of the Children's Zoo). A "rural" themed playground, some of the rides are done in cedar wood. 
• Central Park Zoo, 5th Avenue and 64th Street, ☎ 1 212 439-6500. $ 10 adults, $ 7 seniors, $ 5 children, children under 3 free. Nov-Mar: every day 10-16: 30, Apr-Oct: Mon-Fri 10-17, Sat-Sun, holidays 10-17: 30. Small, and a true gem, the Central Park Zoo as it is now opened in 1988, but has actually existed since the 1860s. It is a small zoo and does not host many animals but you can still see sea lions, penguins, polar bears, monkeys, red pandas, and exotic birds. Also included in the price is the Children's Zoo with farm animals to stroke, a pond with ducks and lots of spaces to play. 
• Dairy, 65th Street, ☎ 1 212 794-6564. every day 10 am-5pm. Built in 1870 as a real farm, its structure resembled a country church. Today it is a visitor center and souvenir shops for park visitors. In part there is the Chess & Checkers House, another visitor center and home to volunteers, with many chess and checkers tables under a shaded pergola. 
• Friedsman Carousel, 65th Street, ☎ 1 212 879-0244. $2. Apr-Oct: Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat-Sun 10-19; Nov-Dec: every day 10-sunset, Jan-Mar: Sat-Sun / holidays 10-sunset. An old carousel from 1908 and in this spot since the 1950s. 
• Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Avenue (between 58th and 60th Streets). Free. A public plaza on the south-east corner of the park and one of Central Park's main entrances. The square owes its name to the Union Army (American Civil War) and houses a statue of General William Sherman and the Pulitzer Fountain, surmounted by the bronze figure of Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit. 
• Heckscher Playground. The largest playground in Central Park. 
• The Pond, Central Park South (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). "". Near Grand Army Plaza, the Pond is a quiet area on the edge of the park. A wooden structure, "Cop Cot," overlooks the park near the entrance from Sixth Avenue. 
• Rumsey Playfield. Home of the free shows SummerStage. 
• Sheep Meadow, west side of the park (between 66th and 69th Streets). A vast meadow that was once used to graze flocks of sheep, nearby is the Victorian restaurant building Tavern on the Green (see below). 

• Strawberry Fields, Central Park West at 72nd Street. Named in 1981 in memory of John Lennon, the former Beatles member a short distance from here in front of the Dakota Building where he resided. Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, who still lives in Dakota, later donated a million dollars to beautify the area with flowers and trees, including strawberry plants. The area is a sort of "Garden of Peace" and is decorated with a mosaic (donated by the city of Naples) which bears the writing "Imagine", obviously referring to the homonymous song by Lennon. The name "Strawberry Fields" instead is a direct reference to "Strawberry Fields Forever", one of the most famous songs of the Beatles which was composed by John Lennon. 

Great Lawn

The Great Lawn is the area that runs from the lake to 86th Street Transverse Road.

• Ancient Playground, Fifth Avenue and 85th Street. Inspired by the Egyptian wing of the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art, this playground has several pyramid-shaped structures. 
• Belvedere Castle, 79th Street, ☎ 1 212 772-0210. free. Tue-Sun 10 am-5pm. Sit on Vista Rock, one of the highest points in the park for views of Central Park. It is a very popular tourist spot, just below the castle Turtle Pond, a small pond with fish, frogs, insects and birds. 
• Conservatory Pond, east side of the park (between 72nd and 75th Streets). Better known as Model Boat Pond, tourists can often watch the regattas among the members of the Model Yacht Club, or they can rent boats and have a drink by the pond. To the north is the sculpture of Alice in Wonderland which reproduces the tea scene, while on the west side there is the sculpture of Hans Christian Andersen which portrays the writer intent on reading a book to his character's Ugly duckling. 
• Great Lawn. In the center of Central Park, the Great Lawn is a large open space perfect for playing, sunbathing or picnicking. In the east there is Obelisk, a 30 meter high structure from Heliopolis, Egypt, where it was erected around 1500 BC. 
• The Lake. boats can be rented for $ 12 per hour. The lake is one of the symbols of the park as well as the Bow Bridge, which runs through it. 
• Pat Hoffman Friedman Playground, 5th Avenue and 79th Street. Playground for the little ones with many animal sculptures. In front of the gates is a sculpture by Paul Manship called Group of Bears. 
• The Ramble, 79th Street (entry from Loeb Boat House to the south or from Belvedere Castle to the north). A kind of mini forest described by its creator as a "wild garden". Trails, rocks, a creek and more, Ramble is also a great place for bird watchers as there are over 250 species of birds. 

Metropolitan Museum of Art

• Metropolitan Museum, 1000 Fifth Avenue (82nd St), ☎ 1 212 535-7710. free offer; includes same-day admission to the Cloisters Museum & Gardens in Upper Manhattan (suggested prices $ 25 adults, $ 17 seniors, $ 12 students, free under 12). Tue-Thu 9: 30-17: 30, Fri-Sat 9: 30-21, Sun 9: 30-17: 30, closed on Mondays. 

One of the largest and most important museums in the world to which you have to dedicate several hours or even a whole day (if not more) if you want to do this place justice. Opened in this Gothic-like building in 1872 and expanded several times over the decades, it has hundreds of rooms on two floors in which thousands of pieces of art from all over the world and from every era are exhibited, covering every existing artistic sphere. . In addition to the permanent collections, there are many other temporary ones on display.

On the first floor there is the American Wing, with rooms relating to periods and art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the hall Arms and Armor with armor, swords, rifles and other weapons from around the world; Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas; Egyptian Art, considered one of the most important Egyptian collections in the world after that of Cairo, where the Temple of Dendur from the Roman period is located; European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, with several rooms divided by periods and Renaissance sculptures; Greek and Roman Art, sculptures, vases and bronzes of the classical Roman and Greek era; Medieval Art, in a room in the shape of a cathedral inside which there are several pieces in Romanesque style; and the Modern and Contemporary Art, where you can find works by many modern artists such as Balthus, Boccioni, Bonnard, Matisse and Picasso.

On the second floor there is a continuation of the American Wing; Ancient Near Eastern Art, with bas-reliefs and monumental statues of the Assyrian period; Chinese Art, with Buddha sculptures, jade works, calligraphers and other rooms; Cypriot Art, the ancient art of Cyprus; European Paintings and Sculptures, with masterpieces by Cezanne, Monet, Renoir, Rodin, Van Gogh, and old masters such as Johannes Vermeer (the largest collection of Vermeer works in the world); a large collection of Islamic art, Japanese art, with prints and fabrics; Korean Art, which continues the Modern and Contemporary Art rooms; it's a South Asian Art, with works from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet and Southeast Asia.

The Reservoir

The Reservoir is the area of ​​the park that runs from 86th Street Transverse Road to 97th Street Transverse Road.

• The Reservoir. Built between 1858 and 1862, the Reservoir is a chaste urban lake that covers 106 acres of Central Park and is the largest reservoir in Manhattan. Renamed "Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir" in 1994, it is best known for the 2 km long route that surrounds it, much loved and frequented by joggers who can run and admire the skyline. 
• Safari Playground, Central Park West at 91st Street. A thematic playground with hippo statues, canoes and tree houses. 
• Wild West Playground, Central Park West at 93rd Street. Another "western" themed playground. 

North End

The North End is the area from 97th Street Transverse Road to Central Park North.

• Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th Street (between Fifth and Lenox Avenues), ☎ 1 212 860-1370. Tue-Sun 10 am-5pm. North shore of Harlem Meer, the Discovery Center organizes courses and exhibits as well as being a great spot for sport fishing (catching and releasing fish!). 
• Conservatory Garden, 5th Avenue (between 104th and 106th Street). Free. 8-sunset. A 6 acre garden that reproduces the typical Italian, French and English style gardens, with different plants and sculptures. 
• Great Hill, west side of the park (between 103rd and 107th Street). One of the highest points in the park, Great Hill is a hilltop meadow surrounded by trees and ideal for a picninc. 
• Harlem Meer, east side of the park (between 106th and 110th Street). 11-acre lake which is one of the most beautiful spots in Central Park; surrounded by trees and populated by turtles and fish. 
• The Pool, west side of the park (between 100th and 103rd Street). One of the quietest areas in Central Park, it is ideal for relaxing on the grassy banks and near the waterfalls. A brook, The Loch it flows northeast through a small valley called The Ravine. There is a path that follows the Loch under the trees through waterfalls and also under two stone arches. 

What to do

As the only large green space in a densely populated area, Central Park is hugely popular and frequented by all who enjoy being outdoors. It's a really beautiful place and New Yorkers love it very much.

• On foot. Central Park is a paradise for lovers of walking but also for those who love to keep fit by practicing jogging. The entire park is perfect for these activities, with lots of terrains and hidden corners to explore. For those who want to go for a run, there are 3 really essential places: the Park Drives, which surround the park and have a specific lane for runners; the Reservoir, with the path that surrounds it; and three different Bridle Paths, one adjacent to the Reservoir, one at the North Meadow, and one at the southern edge of the park, all are looped and extend for approximately 2km. 
• Bike and roller skate. The Park Drives around the park are perfect for cycling or rollerblading, complete with a reserved lane. Those who have skates can also use the internal paths of the park which, however, are forbidden for cyclists (they are pedestrian paths). Bikes can be rented at the Loeb Boathouse. 
• on horseback, ☎ 1 914 633-0303. The Riverdale Equestrian Center is near Riverdale, New York offers horseback riding tours through Central Park, but advanced level is required. 
• Sport. There are various sports facilities in Central Park. There's a Tennis Center near West Drive between 94th Street and 96th Street with several courses. There are tennis courts at both the Great Lawn and North Meadow basketball, baseball / softball is football, other baseball fields at Heckscher Ballfields, 63rd Street between west and center drive. There are tennis courts in North Meadow football is handball. Lawn bowling is croquet they can be done north of Sheep Meadow. Fields from volleyball to Sheep Meadow and Great Lawn. Warning: Permits are required to use these facilities except for basketball, handball and volleyball. 
• in water. In Harlem Meer you can fish, there is also a fishing tackle shop on the north side. If you want to swim you can go to the Lasker Pool outdoor pool at the northern edge of the park: it is free to enter but you can only bring a towel, shoes, books, and bottles of water along with a padlock, bags are not allowed. Take a ride on a boat , you have two options: on The Lake (from Loeb Boathouse, $ 12 for half an hour and $ 6 for another 15 minutes) or small sailboats at Conservatory Pond. 
• Winter sports. Ice skating in two places in Central Park: the Woolman Rink near the center of the park (which in summer becomes the Victorian Gardens Amusement Park), is Lasker Pool, which turns into a skating rink in winter when the water freezes. the cross country skiing it is very popular in Central Park and can be done anywhere there is enough snow. 
• In carriage, carriages are located in Central Park South (59th Street) (between 5th and 6th Avenues, in front of the Plaza Hotel), ☎ 1 212 246-0529. $ 50 for the first 20 minutes and $ 20 for each subsequent 15 minutes. Year-round (if the weather holds), a horse-drawn carriage ride is an interesting way to see Central Park. 
• Delacorte Theater. Home of the Public Theater / New York Shakespeare Festival during the summer. 

Shopping

How to have fun

Where to eat

Central Park is full of places to eat, on the street you can get a hotdog, or a pretzel or even just a drink or ice cream. Inside the park there are several bars, but since there are no roads it can be difficult to find them. Many are also seasonal and are only open from April to October. Many of these also serve sandwiches (including vegetarians), sandwiches, coffee / tea and cold drinks. Some are on 65th Street (north of the playgrounds near the carousel), Conservatory Pond near the Alice in Wonderland statue (around 73rd Street, east side of the park), north end of Sheep Meadow (west side of the park , about 69th Street), and North Meadow (100th Street).

Average prices

• The Boathouse, Park Drive North on The Lake. In the Loeb Boathouse on the Lake, it also has a restaurant overlooking the lake, an outside bar, and even an espresso bar where you can get food and then go out. 
• Leaping Frog Cafe, at the Central Park Zoo. Counter and table service inside and outside the zoo. 

Where stay

Remember that it is illegal to spend the night in Central Park. In neighboring neighborhoods like Midtown and the Theater District to the south andUpper West Side to the west, however, there are dozens of hotels and hostels of all categories, from the quietest and cheapest to the most luxurious hotels in the city.

How to keep in touch

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Central Park
• Commons contains images or other files on Central Park

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