A History of Central Park in New York City
Central Park
Who
Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903)
Calvert Vaux (December 20, 1824 – November 19, 1895)
Where
Central Park is bordered on the north by West 110th Street, on the south by West 59th Street, on the west by Eighth Avenue. Along the park's borders however, these are known as Central Park North, Central Park South, and Central Park West respectively. Fifth Avenue retains its name along the eastern border of the park. Most of the areas immediately adjacent to the park are known for impressive buildings and valuable real estate.
Why
Between 1821 and 1855, New York City nearly quadrupled in population. As the city expanded, people were drawn to the few open spaces, mainly cemeteries, to get away from the noise and chaotic life in the city. Before long, however, New York City's need for a great public park was voiced by the poet and editor of the then-Evening Post (now the New York Post), William Cullen Bryant, and by the first American landscape architect, Andrew Jackson Downing, who began to publicize the city's need for a public park in 1844. A stylish place for open-air driving, like the Bois de Boulogne in Paris or London's Hyde Park, was felt to be needed by many influential New Yorkers, and in 1853 the New York legislature designated a 700-acre (280 ha) area from 59th to 106th Streets for the creation of the park, to a cost of more than US $5 million for the land alone. The park is the largest on Manhattan Island.
When
In 1853, the New York legislature designated a 700-acre (280 ha) area from 59th to 106th Streets for the creation of the park.
In 1857, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux developed the so-called "Greensward Plan," which was selected as the winning design of the Central Park.
In 1873, the park was officially completed.
What
Around the turn of the 20th century, the park faced several new challenges. Cars had been invented and were becoming
Who
Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903)
Calvert Vaux (December 20, 1824 – November 19, 1895)
Where
Central Park is bordered on the north by West 110th Street, on the south by West 59th Street, on the west by Eighth Avenue. Along the park's borders however, these are known as Central Park North, Central Park South, and Central Park West respectively. Fifth Avenue retains its name along the eastern border of the park. Most of the areas immediately adjacent to the park are known for impressive buildings and valuable real estate.
Why
Between 1821 and 1855, New York City nearly quadrupled in population. As the city expanded, people were drawn to the few open spaces, mainly cemeteries, to get away from the noise and chaotic life in the city. Before long, however, New York City's need for a great public park was voiced by the poet and editor of the then-Evening Post (now the New York Post), William Cullen Bryant, and by the first American landscape architect, Andrew Jackson Downing, who began to publicize the city's need for a public park in 1844. A stylish place for open-air driving, like the Bois de Boulogne in Paris or London's Hyde Park, was felt to be needed by many influential New Yorkers, and in 1853 the New York legislature designated a 700-acre (280 ha) area from 59th to 106th Streets for the creation of the park, to a cost of more than US $5 million for the land alone. The park is the largest on Manhattan Island.
When
In 1853, the New York legislature designated a 700-acre (280 ha) area from 59th to 106th Streets for the creation of the park.
In 1857, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux developed the so-called "Greensward Plan," which was selected as the winning design of the Central Park.
In 1873, the park was officially completed.
What
Around the turn of the 20th century, the park faced several new challenges. Cars had been invented and were becoming