In the concrete high-rise city of New York, in upper Manhattan, is a green oasis that is entirely man-made – Central Park. The history of the park began in 1844 when the Evening Post editor, William Cullen Bryant, called for a creation of a large public park. Along with landscape gardener, Andrew Jackson Downing, they continued to push the board of commissioners to set aside land for a park. Between 1853 and 1856 the commissioners paid more than five million dollars for land from 59th to 106 streets between fifth and eight avenues. The commissioners also sponsored a public competition to design the new Central Park. The plans submitted by Frederick Law Olmstead, an engineer and superintendent of the park work crews, along with British architect Clavert Vaux were chosen. They both were considered to be the founders of professional landscape architecture in America. The Central Park Conservatory and the city of New York have invested more than 450 million dollars into maintaining the park and making it a model for urban parks world wide. The park has been declared a National Historical Landmark and in 1974 it was named New York City’s First Scenic Landmark. Through the parks history many projects and restoration have occurred and now with long-term planning from the city and the Central Park Conservatory, this 843 acre park will remain a green oasis. This view is in the early fall. |
