Everyone knows Central Park in New York, a verdant oasis among Manhattan’s skyscrapers that is simply impossible to miss. Covering 1 mi², it’s one of the largest urban parks globally and perhaps the only place in New York where one can find a moment of tranquility.
-
Table of Contents
History of Central Park
The origins of Central Park can be traced back to the 1840s. New York City was experiencing massive population growth at the time, which resulted in a limited amount of space for locals to relax in peace. Ironically, the only quiet places were the cemeteries where people went to rest.
After being lobbied by several prominent New Yorkers, the city purchased the land in 1853 for the then-current value of $5 million. Converted to 2023 prices, that would be $195,350,649. The winning design for Central Park was developed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Before construction of the park began in 1857, about 1,500 occupants, most of them impoverished African-Americans, had to be evicted.
The majority of construction work took place between 1860 and 1873, during which more than 4 million trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants were planted in Central Park. More gunpowder was used for landscaping than what was used in the entire Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
Central Park opened to the public in 1873. Its darkest period came in the 1980s, when crime was at an all-time high. More than 900 serious crimes were committed in the park annually, surpassing the total number of crimes committed in the entire 19th century. In recent years, the number of crimes has been around 100 annually.
Today, Central Park welcomes approximately 42 million visitors each year.
-
What to See in Central Park
📍 Picnic in Central Park
One of the most popular (and affordable) activities in Central Park is picnicking with a view of the surrounding skyscrapers. The ideal place for a leisurely meal on the grass is Sheep Meadow, which used to be a grazing ground for sheep.
Especially in sunny weather, be prepared for crowds of people to fill the meadow rapidly. Besides a blanket and snacks, make sure to pack sunscreen.
📍 Cycle Through Central Park
You can explore Central Park effectively from the saddle of a bicycle. Though cyclists are restricted to the main paths, everything is well marked, reducing the risk of collisions with pedestrians. Several companies offer bicycle rentals in Central Park, with prices starting at $11.00 for a one-hour rental.
📍 Central Park Zoo
The most significant attraction in Central Park is the zoo, established in 1934. As early as 1864, the site housed a menagerie, a place where exotic animals were displayed for entertainment.
The zoo is home to red pandas, snow leopards, and poison dart frogs. The Central Park Zoo also features in the animated film Madagascar.
The zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until at least 4:30 p.m. Adult admission is $19.95, while children aged 3 to 12 pay $14.95. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
📍 Statues in Central Park
Central Park is home to 29 statues. Among the most famous are Cleopatra’s Obelisk (also known as Cleopatra’s Needle), which has a counterpart in London. The park also features statues honoring Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America, Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish storyteller, and William Shakespeare, the English writer.
📍 Boating in Central Park
For a ride on the pond, you can rent a boat. A one-hour rental costs $20.00, with each additional quarter-hour priced at $5.00. A deposit of $20.00 is required before rental, and only cash payments are accepted, so remember to have change ready.
📍 Public Skating in Central Park
Two rinks in Central Park are open for skating during the winter: Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink. With skate rentals and lockers available for personal belongings, there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying a skate among the skyscrapers.
Admission for adults is $10.00 during off-peak hours, $25 during peak hours, and $35 on public holidays. Children are always charged $10.00, and skate rental costs $10.00. You can buy rink tickets online.
Rink opening hours depend on current weather conditions, so it’s advisable to check the rink’s website early.
📍 Strawberry Fields Memorial
The Strawberry Fields in Central Park serves as a memorial to Beatles member, John Lennon. He was shot to death on December 8, 1980, in front of his home, the Dakota House, which is 130 yards from Strawberry Fields.
The landmark features a mosaic with the lyrics “Imagine,” and musicians can be seen here every day, along with, unfortunately, crowds of people. The entrance is near West 72nd Street.
📍 Concerts and Theatre Performances
The park hosts a number of concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, and sporting events daily. You can find a current list of them on the Central Park Authority website.
-
Fun Facts About Central Park
At 1 mi², Central Park is larger than Monaco and the Vatican combined. The total area of these two European countries is only 1 mi².
Approximately 1,600 lamps are scattered across Central Park. If you get lost, you can quickly find your way around using the labels attached to them. The first two or three digits indicate the nearest intersecting street, while the last digit points to the nearest side of the city. Odd numbers represent the west side, even numbers the east side.
Central Park has been featured in a number of films, perhaps most famously Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The Plaza Hotel, the most elegant hotel in New York City, is visible from the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street. Central Park has been the filming location for a variety of works, and according to some sources, it is the most filmed place in the world. This includes TV series like Friends and Crime Scene Investigation New York, as well as movies such as Spiderman 3, Sex and the City, and Borat.
The landscape of Central Park is entirely man-made, with all the hills and ponds designed by an architect. Spread across Central Park are over 18,000 trees, 10,000 wooden benches, 210 species of birds, 150 drinking fountains, and 42 bridges.
The park’s maintenance costs approximately $74,000,000 per year, with the majority of funding coming from environmental programs.
-
Tips for Visiting Central Park
🚇 How to Get to Central Park
Along the western boundary of the park, you’ll find subway lines A, B, and C. In the southeast corner of Central Park is the 5 Av/59 St station for the N, R, and W lines. Finally, in the north of the park is the Central Park North (110 St) station, where lines 2 and 3 run.
⌚ Central Park Hours
Central Park is open every day from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.
🎟️ Admission to Central Park
Admission to Central Park is free, with no tickets required.
💡 Good to Know
A thorough tour of Central Park, including a picnic break, will take approximately three hours. The park is a great destination for children, who will enjoy the playgrounds as well as the ever-present squirrels.
-
Photos of Central Park
Contribute with Your Question or Personal Experience