As the weather becomes increasingly warm, one of my favorite things to do in New York City is explore the many parks spread across the urban sprawl, like the High Line in the last edition of this column. Today, I will take you along one of my favorite routes of a park in the city: an evening tour of Central Park.
Before diving into what to do in Central Park, it is essential to understand the history of how the park came to be. In 1811, the city implemented the grid design we know today, but in 1853 the city was still drowning in overpopulation, pollution, and dense city blocks. Following a competition seeking design proposals, the city went with the idea of famed architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who included easily accessed walking paths and sprawling hills with different levels of passages to keep carriages (or later cars), bikes, and pedestrians. The construction began in 1858 and opened incrementally over the next 15 years to great success. Central Park saw numerous developments, like sporting fields, park infrastructure updates, and landscaping upkeep as time passed.
It is crucial to recognize that before the construction of Central Park, the area was Seneca Village, a community of African-Americans and immigrants, all land-owning in an escape from the discrimination of the rest of the city. Through the controversial process of eminent domain, where the government can essentially pay to kick you off your land, the city took over the land that was Seneca Village. Many say when eminent domain is used, the landowners are often not given fair compensation, especially people of color with limited rights at the time.
The history of Central Park is often at the forefront of my mind as I wander around. The park includes many diverse areas for its purpose. During the warm, sunny months, I have enjoyed a picnic with friends at Sheep Meadow or playing lawn golf on the Great Lawn. Enjoying the park in a completely different light is just as easy. Last fall, I visited Central Park to explore its music history. I’ve walked through Strawberry Fields and the Dakota memorials to John Lennon or the location of the famous Simon and Garfunkel concert of 1982. At other times, I enjoy the park’s architecture, admiring the original arch bridges and paths.
Beyond what is in the park, Central Park is—central—spanning from 60th St. to 110th St. and 5th to 8th Avenue. I will often not go to Central Park. Still, it is the only way to get from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the American Museum of Natural History or from one of my favorite Italian restaurants on 60th and Madison to the Lincoln Center to enjoy a symphony—one of my all-time favorite weekend evening excursions.
Central Park is one of the highlights of New York City. It suits everyone from history and music nerds (like me) to ultra-marathoners who enjoy the 58 miles of paths and everyone in between. As the spring turns to summer, get out and enjoy this gem of the city, and if you don’t see me at Stevens, check Central Park!
