- Opened in: 1857, officially opened in 1876
- Area: 843 acres
- Entry fee: Free
- Timings: 6:00 AM until 1:00 AM
Central Park is a beautified public park that is located midway at Manhattan on the land of the far-famed New York City. This urban type of park was originally opened on an area of 843 acres in 1857. The park was meliorated and enlarged under the direction of Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law. The development work of the park was done using a plan called the ‘Greensward Plan’.
At present, the management of the park is done under a contract with the city government by the Central Park Conservancy. The park was entitled as the National Historic Landmark of America in 1962. The park owns a personal police department, that is, the New York City Police Department (Central Park Precinct), engaging both subsidiary and standard police servicemen. Likewise, the patrolling services of the Central Park are taken care of by the New York City Park’s Enforcement Patrol.
Things of Attraction
The Central Park is filled with different kinds of tourist attractions that pull in nearly 35 million tourists each year. Let us take a look at some of the dignified attractions of the park.
Central Park Carousel
The Central Park Carousel is one of the greatest amusements for the children, which is in operation since 1871. This famous merry-go-round project has 58 horses and 2 chariots craved by hand. The skillful craving work was initially done by Harry Goldstein and Solomon Stein in 1908. It was originally set up at the Coney Island in Brooklyn.
The Ramble and Lake
The Ramble and Lake is an indispensable attribute which adds to the beauty of the Central Park. It is actually a woodland walk-through that is combined of nearly 38 acres of meandering pathways. It is considered to be one of the main venues for bird-watching activity in the park. The tourists get to see 230 unique species of birds with more than 20 unparalleled species of warblers. These warblers are generally spotted through the months of April and October, which is the period of spring and fall migration.
The Oak Bridge crossing the Bangkok Bay is a major entryway to the park. It is sagely decorated with unbarred cabinets of cast iron and white oak. The Ladies’ Pavilion is another attraction at the Ramble, which is a molded iron structure constructed in a frisky architectural style. It was constructed to provide lodging for the ladies who use to wait for boarding streetcars at the Central Park’s Columbus Circle.
Loeb Boathouse
Boating at the Loeb Boathouse has been the favorite pastime of the travelers exploring Central Park. This unparalleled boathouse was financed by the philanthropist, Carl M. Loeb, and it was operated from 1954. At times, it functions as a topographic point for the bird-watchers who are usually involved in the work of noting down their observations on a 2-inched leaf notebook. The publication on bird life written by hand is placed inside the boathouse for the visitors to view the various observations made by other visitors.
Tisch Children’s Zoo
The Tisch Children’s Zoo is a phenomenal addition done to the Central Park in the recent time. After its renovation, it was re-opened in the year 1997 with a free hearted gift from the businessman, Laurence A. Tisch. The zoo provides a parking slot at a sculpted gate for the parents to enter the zoo with their children. The children enjoy the various features of the zoo exclusively made for them, which include huge spider webs, children’s theater, artfully presented toys, entertaining exhibits, etc.
It creates a learning atmosphere along with entertainment for the children as they get to know and view the different species of animals and their characteristics. The zoo gives an opportunity for the children to touch, pet, and even feed the animals. The Acorn Theater showcases different shows and performances for the children where they can interactively learn about the various animal sounds and get entertained at the same time.
Belvedere Castle
The celebrated Belvedere Castle is an exquisitely built construction that gives a beautiful view of the entire Central Park. It has two splendorous balconies that facilitate the visitors with marvelous broad eye shots of the various decorous landmarks of the Central Park such as the Turtle Pond, Delacorte Theater, Ramble and Lake, The Great Lawn, etc.
Designed in 1865, the castle was planned to be a Victorian Folly in the earlier periods. It provided a fantastic backdrop and view but was left without a tangible intentional purpose. Its solid stone frontage, heroic tower, and antic flag proved as a sensational tourist attraction of the Central Park. Later in 1912, the National Weather Service started using the castle for taking measurements related to wind direction and speed. Today, it is also utilized for recording rainfall and other weather conditions as well.
Cherry Hill Fountain
The Cherry Hill Fountain is a neatly decorated water fountain that is fenced in a cyclic plaza. This intensifying structure is located west of the Bethesda Fountain. It was initially organized as a watering trough for the horses and a resting place for the horse-riders back in the 19th century.
The water in the fountain gracefully spurts out of the 8 small gold flowers and flows back into the princely goblet shaped bowls colored in black. It has a granite concave structure and graven blue-stone vessel with Milton tiles. Besides, it is crowned with 8 opaque glass lamps that are circular in shape. It also has a golden spire which amplifies its beauty in an effective way.
Arsenal
The Arsenal is a symmetrically shaped brick building that was originally constructed as a warehouse for arms and ammunition of the New York State Military Unit. At present, the Arsenal building accommodates the offices of the ‘Wildlife Conservation Center’ of the Central Park and the ‘Parks and Recreation Department’ of New York City.
This is not it! There are many more elating and amusive travel destinations in New York City’s Central Park. Find out to make the best tour of a lifetime.