Central Park NYC

Central Park is the Crown Jewel of NYC. At 843 acres, it is the most visited urban park in the United States. It offers a diverse terrain, perfect for running, biking, rollerblading, horse back riding and more. In addition to equestrian trails, the 1.58 mile reservoir, as well as many hiking/running trails, there is also a mile and a half road running through the park that is closed to cars on the weekend.

Central Park NYC

I grew up in NYC – Central Park was my beloved friend…a reliable place to escape to when I was sad, skip through when I was happy, or just wander through when I was bored. When I felt adventurous, I would hike through the park while pretending I was on a safari. Central Park is massive. It runs from 59th Street to 110th Street. By the time I was a teenager, I knew almost every part of the mid-section of this urban jungle. Each day I would pocket the bus fare given to me by my parents and walk across the park to my high school. I would choose a new route each time. I’d feed the squirrels, talk to the birds, and visit the polar bears in the Central Park Zoo. It made school bearable.

An Urban Oasis

As an adult it continued to be a refuge as well as a destination for wellness and fun. I ran in the park, rollerbladed those dangerous hills and rode my bike around the entire park (not the cut-thru shorter loop through 72nd).

When I moved to Los Angeles. I missed my good friend – Central Park. So, whenever I returned for a visit (2-3 times a year) I would always schedule a day to walk the park. I am currently visiting NYC, walking through central park and writing. I just realized I walked from the top of the park at 110th to 72nd Street. That’s a lot, but seriously you are not aware of how far you are walking when you are surrounded by such beauty.

Favorite Spots in Central Park

One of my favorite parts of the park is the Conservatory Water which can be reached via the Eastside through the 72nd Street entrance. Here miniature boats sail the Model Boat Pond, made famous by E.B. White’s 1945 story, Stuart Little, and its 1999 film adaptation.

Quite close, is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture by Spanish born, French trained sculptor Jose de Creeft (1900-1982). This was a gift to the park from philanthropist and publisher George Delacorte. My high school class of about 62 students actually posed on the Alice in Wonderland sculpture for our senior casual photo. I continued to visit this portion of the park as an adult, and I giggle watching the younger generation’s reaction to this very special place.

If there are any New Yorkers reading this, you may recognize the name George Delacorte, as he also donated other popular attractions to Central Park: the Delacorte Clock next to the Central Park Zoo, and the Delacorte Theater, where one can watch free Shakespeare in the Park. I have taken advantage of this free Central Park perk, and enjoyed numerous Shakespeare productions here.The theatre is currently under construction as of November 2023.

*Entrance to the Shakespeare Garden; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

However, don’t miss the Shakespeare Garden (very close to the theatre). This is another favorite spot of mine…fantastic any time of year. Spring of course brings out the garden’s full glory. Spring is a special time in NYC, as everyone emerges from their winter hibernation. New Yorkers flock the the Great Lawn to picnic and soak in the sun.

The Lake at Central Park

Be sure to stop by the Belvedere Castle, which is also very close. Here there are superb views of the park. Another highlight is the eight lakes and ponds of Central Park. These picturesque views offer free romantic experiences for all New Yorkers, as well as visitors. A 20 acre body of water simply named ‘the lake’ offers stunning views from a rowboat or the covered Hernshead Boat Landing.

*Belvedere Castle; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

In addition to renting boats at the Boathouse (formerly known as Loeb Boathouse) you can also dine in its outdoor cafe. You can’t imagine how many first dates I have had on a rented boat in Central Park. I will admit, I may have wanted to throw a few of my first dates overboard, but it was always a good day as long as I found myself in the park.

In 1985, on the 45th anniversary of John Lennon’s birth, Strawberry Fields officially opened. Yoko Ono dedicated it to her beloved John Lennon who lived across the street in the famous building…the Dakota. The site was chosen because the couple could view this part of the park from their window. This has become another favorite tranquil spot of mine.

*Strawberry Fields; photo by Kathy Leonardo; courtesy of ETG*

Upper Central Park

Then in the 1990s, my sister and her husband got married in the Central Park Conservatory Garden. It is a gorgeous garden, that I did not even know about until this momentous event. You won’t want to miss it when visiting Central Park. I return frequently to bask among the flowers.

In the early 2000’s my sister and her family moved up to Harlem. This is when I truly discovered the upper part of Central Park. By this time, I had already moved to Los Angeles. When I visited, I would stay with my sis and explore. Even though I had ridden my bike through the upper part of the park many times, I never explored it. With each visit, I learned more and more.

I would power walk around the Harlem Meer Lake, situated in the northeast corner of Central Park. It is absolutely gorgeous. Then I would head west and climb the hills. I had no idea these even existed in the park. It is a hiker’s paradise.

Birdwatching is also another popular thing to do. Head to the Ramble for the best bird watching spot (near the Belvedere Castle, enter through the 80s park entrance). Another great spot for bird watching and serenity is simply named ‘the pond.’ Located at the very beginning of Central Park at 59th street and 5th Ave (just across from the Plaza Hotel). It has a paved trail for an easy walk around the pond. Hallett Nature Sanctuary which overlooks the pond offers a bit more rustic trails, and even more access to wildlife.

Seneca Village

Alas, as with most places in America’s history, even New York City (which I have always thought of as the most progressive state in the country) has a storied past. Researchers, focused on maps and census records in the 1990s, uncovered Seneca Village, an African-American community that existed from 1825 to 1857 before the construction of Central Park. This led archaeologists to discover artifacts buried for over 150 years.

Unfortunately, in 1857 the city of New York used eminent domain to acquire the land for the creation of Central Park. This displaced an established community, predominantly African-American, with about one-third Irish immigrants and a small number of German families.

In 2001, over 140 years after Seneca Village was destroyed, a historical marker was placed at its former location. Then in 2019, the Central Park Conservancy installed a temporary outdoor exhibit of signage informed by decades of research, including the approximate locations of buildings that existed in Seneca Village.

Visit the Central Park Conservancy website to learn more. Tours as well as videos featuring descendants of the displaced families are available. Despite this disappointing fact, I’m reassured that the Central Park Conservancy isn’t trying to hide the history.

If you visit New York City and you love nature, be sure to save a day or more to explore the park. It is one of the wonders of the world. Visit the Central Park Conservancy website to find out more about everything I have mentioned and then some. https://www.centralpark.com

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