General info. (212) 360-3444
Parks and recreation. (212) 360-8111
See 360 Degree Picture of Central
Park
See 360 Degree Picture of Tavern
on the Green
Central Park was the first
landscaped public park in the United States, and continues to
function as a sort of oasis in the heart of a sprawling
metropolis. It is located between Fifth and Eighth avenues and
59th and 106th streets, and serves as a
refuge for millions of the city’s residents, as well as a
popular tourist attraction and site of several interesting
things to see and do. Besides jogging, biking, and rollerblading
trails and wide open spaces, the area offers several
activities that will allow you to stop and take a breather from
the concrete jungle.
The park was conceived
back in 1853, when the state legislature authorized the City of
New York to use its political might to use up over seven hundred
acres of land in the heart of Manhattan. The park was created by
moving almost two thousand poorer residents from their
shantytowns and completely overhauling the area, planting grass,
leveling land, and basically beautifying an area that wasn’t
all too beautiful. When complete, it started attracting crowds
almost immediately, and by 1865, over seven million people
visited annually. This holds true right up to the present day,
with free concerts and events adding even more to the park’s
charm.
One of the most noted
highlights of the park is the CENTRAL PARK Wildlife Center, a
zoo which is host to over a hundred species, including sea
lions, penguins, and even polar bears. It is amazing to see
exotic animals in the middle of a park in the middle of a city,
and creates a sort of surreal atmosphere (well, to us, anyway).
Near the zoo is the famous Delacorte Clock, which depicts a
collection of mechanical animals on its face.
Delacorte Theater is a
completely free, open-air venue that hosts summer performances
from the Joseph Papp Shakespeare Theater Company. A night of
Shakespeare in the Park is great for couples of all ages; very
romantic. Showtime is usually around 8 o’clock in the evening.
The Great Lawn is
essentially everything in the middle of the park. It’s
magnificently maintained and tended, with baseball fields and
prime picnic groves for everyone. The perfect place to toss a
Frisbee or catch a few rays, the Great Lawn is often crowded and
always enjoyed.
Strawberry Fields is a
bittersweet portion of the park. Dedicated to the memory of John
Lennon in the wake of his tragic shooting just across the
street, the Fields immediately call to mind the Beatles song of
1967. A vigil is held annually on December 8th, the
day of his death in 1980.
Wollman Memorial Rink is
another refuge—a massive skating facility. Although its loud
music can be a little too much at times, it is ideal for a spin
on the ice during the winter months, or a rollerblade during
summer.
To further enjoy the
attractions of Central Park, their renowned hansom carriages are
always available for you and your sweetie to travel its trails.
This experience is especially romantic at night. It is
definitely recommended that you enjoy this luxury during your
visit to the Big Apple.
