1

SUBJECT: TRADITIONAL & CONTEMPORARY

LANDSCAPE
TOPIC: CENTRAL PARK , NEWYORK ( 1857)
PLAN BY F.L.OHMSTEAD & CALVENT VAUX

CENTRAL PARK

CENTRAL PARK

NEW YORK

ARCHITEC
T
&CONCEP

ARCHITEC
TS:
Frederick
Law
Olmsted
&
Calvert
Vaux
CONCEPT
S:
Greenswar
d Plan
A
sweeping
pastoral
landscape.
uplifting
recreation.
Socialize
peopl

VICINITY
HISTOR
Y

840 ACRES
of LAND
ACQUIRED
1,600 people
Migrated
Terrain was
unsuitable
for
commercial
building.
AME Zion
community
destroyed.
Unaffordable
for middle
class.
The lower
reservoir
was drained
and turned
into the

Oasis in
between
the hectic
city.
CENTRAL

ACTIVITI
ESS
SIGNIFICANC
E

LANDSCAPE
ELEMENTS

North
Central
park
Conservatory
Garden
Lasker Rink and
Pool
North Meadow
and Recreation
Center
Harlem Meer

Birding

Relaxation.

Lawns

Boating

Recreation.

Trees,bushes

Carriage
horses

Entertainment.

Sculptures, statues,
Pools, ponds.
still water, water
fountain

Mid
Central
Park

Children park

Central Park
Tennis Center

Castles

Metropolitan
Museum of Art
Belvedere
Castle
Delacorte
Theater

Rocks, meadows,

Zoo

Rock
Climbing
Ice Skating

Monotony
breaker of the
city
Green zone .

Cycling

Complete open
breathing space
of the city.

Walking

Social Thread.

Jogging

Tourist
attraction.

Fields

Competition
s

Boat house

Swimming

Conserved
fauna.

Lakes

Playing

Imageability .

Pedicab
rides

Landscape

Great Lawn
Park

South
Central
PARK
NEW
Park

Sports

Educating

YORK

Four
Its is a welcome oasis
in this hectic city
Wollman
transverse
Skating Rink
roads to

Natural
gaming
Gardening

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INTRODUCTION:

Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City.

The park initially opened in 1857, on 770 acres (3.1 km2) of city-owned land.

In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to
improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan. Construction
began the same year and was completed in 1873

NEED FOR THE PARK:

As the city expanded, people were drawn to the few existing open spaces, mainly
cemeteries, to get away from the noise and chaotic life in the city.

New York City's need for a great public park was voiced by 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, similar to the Bois de Boulogne in Paris or
London's Hyde Park, was felt to be needed by many influential New Yorker.
The purpose was to refute the European view that Americans lacked a sense of civic
duty and appreciation for cultural refinement and instead possessed an unhealthy and
individualistic materialism that precluded interest in the common good
The bruised egos of New York high society envisioned a sweeping pastoral landscape,
among which the wealthy could parade in their carriages, socialize, and "be seen," and in
which the poor could benefit from clean air and uplifting recreation without lifting the
bottle.
PARK AREA, VISITORS & MAINTENANCE:

AREA: It was opened on 770 acres (3.1 km2) of city-owned land and was expanded
to 843 acres (3.41 km2; 1.317 sq mi). It is 2.5 miles (4 km) long between 59th Street
(Central Park South) and 110th Street (Central Park North), and is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide
between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West

VISITORS : The park, which receives approximately twenty-five million visitors

annually, is the most visited urban park in the United States.

MAINTENANCE: the park is currently managed by the Central Park Conservancy

under contract with the city government. The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that
contributes 85% of Central Park's $25 million dollar annual budget, and employs 80% of the
park's maintenance staff.

LOCATION:

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Central Park is situated in Manhattan between 59th and 110th street and between Fifth and
Eight Ave.

Geology

Rat Rock is an example of Hartland Schist

There are four different types of bedrock in Manhattan, two are exposed in various
outcroppings in Central Park, Manhattan schist and Hartland schist (both are
metamorphosed sedimentary rock); Fordham gneiss an older deeper layer which does
not surface in the park and Inwood marble (metamorphosed limestone) which overlays
the gneiss are the others.
Fordham gneiss, which consists of metamorphosed igneous rocks, was formed a billion
years ago, during what is known as the Grenville orogeny that occurred during the
creation of an ancient super-continent. It is the oldest rock in the Canadian Shield, the
most ancient part of the North American tectonic plate.
Manhattan schist and Hartland schist were formed in the Iapetus Ocean during the
Taconic orogeny in the Paleozoic era, about 450 million years ago. During this period the
tectonic plates began to move toward each other, which resulted in the creation of the
supercontinent, Pangaea
Cameron's Line is a fault zone that traverses Central Park on an east-west axis
Various glaciers have covered the area of Central Park in the past, with the most recent
being the Wisconsin glacier which receded about 12,000 years ago. Evidence of past
glaciers are visible throughout the park in the form of glacial erratics (large boulders
dropped by the receding glacier) and north-south glacial striations visible on stone
outcroppings

History of central park.

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The Creation of "a Central Park"

After years of debate over the location, the park's construction finally began in
1857, based on the winner of a park design contest, the "Greensward Plan," of
Frederick Law Olmsted, the park superintendent, and Calvert Vaux, an architect.

Using the power of eminent domain, the city acquired 840 acres located in the
center of Manhattan, spanning two and a half miles from 59th Street to 106th
Street (in 1863 the park was extended north to 110th Street) and half a mile from
Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue. I

n the process, a population of about 1,600 people who had been living in the
rocky, swampy terrain--some as legitimate renters and others as squatters--were
evicted; included in this sweep were a convent and school, bone-boiling plants,
and the residents of Seneca Village, an African-American settlement of about 270
people which boasted a school and three churches.

The members of AME Zion, Seneca Village's most prominent church, were
scattered throughout the city, their community destroyed. Though the city did
compensate the landowners with an average of $700 per lot of land, many
residents estimated this far below the value of their property, which, despite the
(until then) undesirable topography, contained their homes, their history, and
their livelihoods.

The Vision

Chosen by the city and the park planners because its terrain was unsuitable for
commercial building, the site for the new park offered rocky vistas, swamps which
would be converted into lakes, and the old city reservoir.

These varied elements would be refined, enhanced, diminished, and eradicated

to create a park in the style of European public grounds, with an uncorrupted
countryside appearance.

To this end, Olmsted and Vaux's plan included four transverse roads to carry
crosstown traffic below the park level. Architectural structures were to be kept to
a minimum--only four buildings existed in the original plans for the park--and the
design and building material of the bridges were chosen to assure that they were
integrated as naturally as possible into their surrounding landscapes.

Building Central Park

Thousands of Irish, German, and New England-area laborers toiled ten-hour days
under the direction of architect-in-chief and head foreman Olmsted for between a
dollar and a dollar fifty per day.

In the winter of 1858, the park's first area was opened to the public; December of
that same year saw New Yorkers skating on the twenty-acre lake south of the
Ramble.

The final stages of the park's construction began in 1863, with the landscaping
and building of the newly acquired area from 106th to 110th Streets.

Due to budget constraints and the tight financial control that Andrew Green, the
new comptroller, exercised, the area was less laboriously and meticulously
designed, giving it a more untamed appearance.

The Park of the Wealthy

In the first decade of the park's completion, it became clear for whom it was built.
Located too far uptown to be within walking distance for the city's working class
population, the park was a distant oasis to them.

Trainfare represented a greater expenditure than most of the workers could

afford, and in the 1860s the park remained the playground of the wealthy; the
afternoons saw the park's paths crowded with the luxurious carriages that were
the status symbol of the day.

Women socialized there in the afternoons and on weekends their husbands would
join them for concerts or carriage rides. Saturday afternoon concerts attracted
middle-class audiences as well, but the six-day work week precluded attendance
by the working class population of the city.

As a result, workers comprised but a fraction of the visitors to the park until the
late nineteenth century, when they launched a successful campaign to hold
concerts on Sundays as well.

The Park of the People

As the city and the park moved into the twentieth century, the lower reservoir
was drained and turned into the Great Lawn.

The first playground, complete with jungle gyms and slides, was installed in the
park in 1926, despite opposition by conservationists, who argued that the park
was intended as a countryside escape for urban dwellers.

The playground, used mostly by the children of middle and working class parents,
was a great success; by the 1940s, under the direction of parks commissioner
Robert Moses, Central Park was home to more than twenty playgrounds.

As the park became less and less an elite oasis and escape, and was shaped
more and more by the needs of the growing population of New York City, its uses
evolved and expanded; by the middle of the century, ball clubs were allowed to
play in the park, and the "Please Keep of the Grass" signs which had dotted the
lush meadows of the park were a thing of the past.

Transverse Roads
-

Even though Central Park was planned and executed before the
development of the automobile, the architects of the park realized that
there would be a need for commercial traffice between the both sides of
the park, but did not want that traffic interrupting the bucolic experience
of park patrons.

One of the most innovative

features of the original design
of Central Park are the four
subterranean Tranverse Roads
that carry traffic across the
park unimpeded between the
East and West sides of the park.

These Transverse Roads at

65th, 79th, 86th and 97th
streets are dark, dirty and often
crowded, carrying their filthy .

Few of the Park Attractions and

landmarks Listed from North to
South:
The vicinity of the central park:
A North Central Park - above 97th
St.
Harlem Meer - 11 Acre Lake Area
featuring 2 Playgrounds
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center Visitor center featuring environmental
exhibits and programs. North side of the
Meer.
Lasker Rink and Pool - public
swimming pool . In its ice skating mode
(Thanksgiving - March), Lasker has two

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oval rinks: one for high school hockey teams and one for all ages. Less used than
Woolman Rink.
Conservatory Garden - The six-acre Conservatory Garden is Central Park's only formal
garden is a colorful and quite retreat from the surrounding city. The Italian garden is the
site of many wedding photography sessions. Enter through the Vanderbuilt gate on 5th
Ave at 102nd. Admission is free. (8AM - Dusk)
North Meadow and Recreation Center
Indoor and outdoor recreational facility indoor climbing wall 12 fields for baseball,
softball, and soccer.
B Mid Central Park - below 97th St. above 79th St.
Central Park Tennis Center - 26 clay and four asphalt courts
Reservoir a 106-acre water feature with a 1.5 mile running track surrounding it. 3
pedestrian cast-iron bridges crossing a Bridle Path.
Great Lawn Park 8 softball fields, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - World-famous masterpieces.
Delacorte Theater open-air theater is the summer home of the Public Theater/New
York Shakespeare Festival.
Belvedere Castle designed by Frederick Law Olmsted a miniature Gothic castle - that
offers an elaborate scenic overlook. The Castle is home to the Henry Luce Nature
Observatory.
C South Central Park - below 79th St.
The Ramble - 37 acre wooded area - Great Location for Birdwatching.
Conservatory Water - Model Boat racing on Saturdays -Near by West is a Statue of
Hans Christian Anderson, to the North a bronze grouping of Characters from Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland.
Loeb Boathouse - Boat rides - Venetian gondolas and bike rentals
Bow Bridge cast iron bridges spans sixty feet across the Lake, linking Cherry Hill with
the Ramble - choice of many photographers
Bethesda Fountain and Terrace - Considered to be the Heart of Central Park. It is
located between the Lake and the Mall. The Spanish style terrace is a great place to
relax.
"Strawberry Fields", the memorial to late Beatle, John Lennon. Located on the south
side of the park this 2.5-acre tear-drop-shaped landscape features a reproduction of a

9
mosaic from Pompeii - a gift from
Naples, Italy with a single word
IMAGINE.
Tavern on the Green Landmark
Restaurant
The Dairy Victorian Gothic Building
which is the home of the visitors
center. It is a good place to get the
latest info on current park events.
Nearby to the west is the Carousel
featuring 58 hand carved hourses.
To the east visit the popular "Balto"
Statue (Heroic Dog).
Central Park Zoo - Oasis of
wildlife
Wollman Skating Rink is located
between the Dairy to the north and
the Pond. October to April Skating.
Skate Rentals Available.
For information on hours and
admission fees call 212-439-6900
Carriage Rides find them at
Central Park South (59th Street)
between Fifth and Sixth Avenues at
a cost of $34 for the first 20
minutes and $54 for a 50 minute
ride.
CENTRAL PARK PLANNING BY
FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AND
CALVERT VAUX
PLANNING:
The park boasts with several lakes,
theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis
courts,
baseball
fields,
many
playgrounds and other facilities. It
is also home to the Central Park
Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum
of Art.

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Plan Conception

When the terrain for the Central Park was

bought by the City of New York in 1853, it
faraway
from
civilization,
somewhere
between the City of New York and the village
Harlem.

Winding
pedestrian
roads
were separated from main
roads and the huge number of
trees
ensured
the
city's
buildings were not visible from
within the park.

was

The area contained sheds from colonists, quarries, pig farms and swamps.
In 1857, the city of New York organized a
competition for the design of this new park,
had to rival with the great parks in London
Paris.
A design by Frederic Law Olmsted and
Vaux, named 'the Greensward Plan' was
chosen.

Central
Park
immediately
became a popular place for all
New
Yorkers,
attracting
millions of visitors each year.

which
and

Calvert

This plan featured an English style landscape with large meadows, several
lakes and hills.

Balto Statue
Plan Creation
To convert the swampy area into the park the designers had envisioned, several
hundred thousand trees were planted, more than 3 million cubic yards of soil was

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moved, roads and bridges
were constructed and a large
reservoir was dug out.
It took more than 15 years
before the 20,000 workers
had completed the park.

After the appointment of Robert Moses in 1934 as

New York City Parks Commissioner, the focus of the
park shifted from relaxation to recreation. During
moses's 26 year tenure he constructed many sports
facilities, playgrounds and the Wollman rink.

The Lake
From Relaxation to Recreation
Frederic Law Olmstead's goal was to create a place where people could relax and
meditate.
He saw the park as a kind of social experiment where people from both upper and
lower
classes
would
meet, a
rather
revolutionary
idea
at
that
time.

Small bridge at The Pond

Decline and renovation
After the departure of Moses in 1960, Central park started to decline. Graffiti, garbage
and criminality kept both citizens and tourists from visiting the park. In the 1970s the
park
became
a
symbol
of
New
York
City's
decline.

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The tide started to turn in 1980 when a group of citizens created the Central Park
Conservancy.
Together with the city, it started a 50 million dollar renovation project. Several parts of
the park, including the Sheep Meadow and Bethesda Terrace were restored.
Three employees were hired to remove the graffiti - it took them three years to
complete this task. The criminality was reduced by a large police force.
Thanks to these efforts by both the city and private groups, the Central park is now a
relatively clean and safe place, visited by more than 20 million people each year.

Landscape elements,their location

,importance & usage
Lasker Rink & Pool
It was constructed in the late 1960, made possible by a
contribution by the extremely philanthropic (and wealthy)
Lasker sisters.
It displaced a corner of The Meer and was therefore seen by
park purists to be nothing short of desecration.

Photo Copyright (C) Mark H.

Location : Mid-Park between 106th and 108th Streets.

North Meadow
The recently renovated North Meadow is, at 23 acres, one of
Central Park largest open areas.
Ball fields first appeared there in the 1870s and it has been
extensively refitted with carefully managed baseball diamonds

Photo Copyright (C) centralpark.com

which are in use throughout the spring and summer.

Located just to the north of the reservoir the gently rolling landscape around it creates a
slightly more secluded ambience than the Great Lawn to the south.
Location : Mid-Park at 97th Street

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Delacorte Theater
The outdoor Delacorte Theatre is the summer home of the
annual "Shakespeare in the Park" production.
Begun in 1957 by Joseph Papp as part of the Public
Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival the annual productions
draw thousands to the open air theater at the heart of Central Park.

Location : Mid-Park at 80th Street

Swedish Cottage
For over fifty years, puppeteers have been bringing to life
magical tales of princesses, paupers, genies, and giants to
hundreds of youngsters and their parents at Central Park's
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater.
The Marionette Theater originated as a 19th century
schoolhouse designed for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in
Philadelphia as an example of Swedish building design.

Location : West Side at 79th Street

Shakespeare Garden
One of the many hidden gems of Central Park, the Shakespeare
Garden is a lovely spot to "stop and smell the roses".
Nestled between Belvedere Castle and The Swedish Cottage
the garden first came into existence in 1913. Known as the
Garden of the Heart it was patterned after Victorian era rock
gardens.
Then, in 1916, to celebrate the tercentennial of Shakespeare's
death, it was rechristened in honor of the Bard and only plants mentioned in his plays were
planted there.

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These include columbine, primrose, wormwood, quince, lark's heel, rue, eglantine, flax and
cowslip, many of which sound as if they would be right at home boiling and bubbling in a
caldron.
Location : West Side between 79th and 80th Streets

Belvedere Castle
Sitting high atop Vista Rock (the second highest natural
elevation in the park) Belvedere Castle provides a panoramic
view in almost every direction.
It is also perhaps the most magical monument in Central Park,
one that combines function, form and romance - all in one
convenient, central location.

Location : Mid-Park at 79th Street

Loeb Boathouse
The Loeb Boathouse, one of the most famous icons of Central
Park is located at the northeastern tip of the Lake and houses
the Boathouse Restaurant.

It is a romantic setting for dinner on a mid-summer evening,

watching the sun sink behind the trees and maybe catching a gondola slowly poling past.
Location : East Side between 74th and 75th Streets

Alice in Wonderland
At the northern end of Conservatory Water you will find yourself
at perhaps the least exclusive soiree in Manhattan, a party where
everyone is the guest of honor 364 days a year.

It is, of course, Central Park permanent installation of it very

own unbirthday party.
Location : East 74th Street, north of Conservatory Water

Photo Copyright (C) nycgovparks.org

15

Hans Christian Andersen

At the western edge of Conservatory Water is one of the most
popular staues in the park - a statue of master storyteller Hans
Christian Andersen.
Created by George Lober and donated to the park in 1956 this

Photo Copyright (C) nycgovparks.org

statue of the beloved Danish storyteller, along with his famous

duckling companion, is the site of a story telling program that delights children every summer.

Location : East 74th Street, north of Conservatory Water

Bethesda Fountain
Bethesda Fountain rises high above Bethesda Terrace, looking
over the hundreds of visitors that come every day to enjoy the
view of the Lake and relax at the "heart" of the Central Park.
The sculpture that tops it, Angel of Waters, was designed by
Emma Stebbins in 1873 and is one of the most recognizable
icons in the entire park. S

tebbins designed the statue to celebrate the new Croton Aqueduct which not only fed the
fountain, but also supplied fresh water to a city that had long been plagued by infectious
diseases caused by an unsafe water supply.
Location : Mid-Park at 72nd Street

Strawberry Fields

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On December 8th, 1980 John Lennon was shot dead as he

entered his home at the Dakota Apartment Building at 72nd St.
and Central Park West.
A long time resident of New York City Mr. Lennon had taken
many walks with his wife and young son through the friendly confines of Central Park. Long a
favorite son of his adopted city John Lennon wasn simply New York Beatle, he was, for
many, the embodiment of the spirit on which city had been built.
One half urbane cynic and one half romantic dreamer, he unabashedly embraced the
disparate parts which, as every New Yorker knows, combine to form a uniquely gifted,
passionate individual. And city.
Location : West Side between 71st and 74th Streets

The Mall
Designed by Vaux and Olmsted as a grand promenade the
mall joins with Bethesda Terrace, both geographically and
stylistically, to fulfill the park need for a place that offered
visitors a chance to socialize; an alternative to the secluded
paths and solitary walks that populate so much of the terrain.
The forty foot wide Mall, flanked by its majestic rows of American Elms, provides the perfect
place for a leisurely stroll in any season.
One can easily imagine the scene a century ago, women with parasols and men in top hats
perambulating towards the Concert Ground that stood adjacent to its northern end.
Now you are more likely to find skateboards than waistcoats, but the effect is still the same
and even the visitors on wheels are apt to slow down just a bit and admire the cathedral-like

17

ambience.
Location : Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets

Children's Zoo
One of the most popular additions to Central Park in recent
years is the Tisch Children's Zoo.
Lying at the northern edge of the Central Park Zoo it was
added in 1997 and financed by a generous gift from

Photo Copyright (C) PapaAndDaddy

philanthropist Laurence A.
Location : Just north of the Central Park Zoo at 64th St.

The Caroucel

As the park spins by and the calliope tootles it is easy to imagine yourself at a country
fair miles outside the urban confines of New York City.

The original park carousel opened in 1871 and was

powered by a blind mule and a horse which walked a
treadmill in an underground pit.

Location : Mid-Park at 64th Street

Wollman Memorial Rink

Wollman Rink was built in 1949 when Kate Wollman

donated $600,000 for it's construction. In the early
1990's, it was purchased and is now run by Donald
Trump.

18

It has been a success from the day it opened - over 300,000 skaters glided across the
ice in its first year of operation.

In use the year round the summer months find hundreds of in-line skaters taking
lessons or perfecting more advanced skills.

The Pond

Located at the southeast corner of the park, near the

entrance at Grand Army Plaza, the Pond provides
immediate relief from the hustle and bustle of the city
just outside.

This is due to a veritable wall of trees and shrubs, as well as the inspired landscaping
of Olmsted and Vaux, which placed the pond below street level.

This entrance was originally designed to handle most of the traffic into the park, and
continues to do so until this day.
Location : Central Park South between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Grand Army Plaza

Grand Army Plaza features the statue of General William

Tecumseh Sherman astride his horse.

Across the street is the Plaza Hotel, the scene of

countless movies, from North by Northwest to Home
Alone.

The Grand Army Plaza was completed in 1916 and is named after the Grand Army of
the Potomac that fought for the Union side during the Civil War.

19

The statue of General Sherman is by the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

This was his last great work and fulfilled a long standing dream of his to pay tribute to
the heroes of the Civil War.
Location : Cetral Park South (59th Street) and Fifth Avenue

Conservatory Garden

One of the hidden wonders of Central Park is the

Conservatory Garden at Fifth Avenue and 105th St.

A secluded oasis, just a few steps down from one of the

Cityfs busiest thoroughfares; the garden offers a fragrant
respite from the gasp and

The only formal garden in Central Park, the Conservatory Garden derives its name
from a huge glass conservatory that once stood on the same spot, which was built in
1898.

It was here that many of the first shrubs and trees that were later planted in the park
were first cultivated.

Location : 5th Ave and 105th St.

The Great Hill

The Great Hill is an open hilltop meadow with picnic tables, a
three-quarter mile soft surface oval path (good for a jog), and
green grass under stately American elms. Olmsted and Vaux
designed the Great Hill as a carriage concourse where
passengers could enjoy commanding views of the Hudson River
and the Palisades.

Photo Copyright (C) Paul Moeller

20

Jacqueline Kennedy Oassis

Reservoir
The Central Park Reservoir - now offi-cially named the
Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir - is located between 86th
and 96th and covers a full one eight of the park surface.
The 106-acre water body is 40 feet deep and holds over a billion gallons of water.
Once a critical part of the city fresh water system it was disconnected as an active
component since the new water tunnel was opened in 1991.
It is probably best known now as home to the 1.58 mile running track that surrounds it.
The reservoir is also currently the subject of a very public debate as several different plans
are considered for its future; these include fishing piers, a marina, ball fields, restaurants and
beaches.

Sheep Meadow

While it has been many years since sheep actually inhabited this verdant lawn on the
west side of the park, Robert Moses having exiled the sheep to Prospect Park in 1934,
it still remains a pastoral setting that invites sunbathing
and the enjoyment of a good book.

. A Sheepfold was built across the drive in 1870 and

twice a day a shepherd would hold up carriage traffic,
and later automobiles, as he drove the animals to and
from the meadow.

After the sheep had been banished to Brooklyn the

Sheepfold was converted into what is now the world famous restaurant Tavern on the
Green.

21

Location : West side, mid-Park from 66th to 69th Streets

Central Park Zoo

A walk around the Zoo five plus acres will take you
through a variety of habitats, all carefully designed to
recreate the natural environment of the animals they
house.

At the left you see a list of links to the pages describing all of the Zoo inhabitants.

The Polar Circle contains two of the Zoo's most popular guests - Polar Bears Ida (on
the right) and Gus. Alongside Polar Bears lies an exhibit featuring Harbor Seals and
nearby is the Ice Pack building which houses 61 Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins along
with the Tufted Puffins.

The Rain Forest houses a brilliant collection of tropical birds including the Fairy Blue
Bird of Southeast Asia and the Scarlet-chested Parrot of Southern Australia. Here you
also find enough frogs, lizards, snakes, toads and various other squirmy things to keep
any little boy enraptured for his entire visit. Then there are the Colobus Monkeys, as
well as three species of Tamarins, to represent the primates of the tropics.

The Temperate Territory includes the California Sea Lion tank at the center of the
exhibit and stretches around the rear of the Zoo. This section is home to the Red
Pandas, Japanese Macaques and the almost urbanly manic North American River Otter.
Here you also find the Mandarin Ducks (happier residents then their cousins at nearby
restaurants) and the lovely Swan Geese.
Location : East Side between 63rd and 66th Streets

Dairy

22

At its inception the southern portion of Central Park was

considered by designers Olmsted and Vaux as the
Children District.

This was because it was the first area of the park that
would be reached by families traveling from the heart of the city, most of which lay
below 38th St. at the time.

One critical need of children at the time was for fresh milk, a series of scandals, as

well as cholera outbreaks, having placed the dairy production of the city under a cloud of
suspicion. To satisfy this need and provide a place where families could find a ready
supply of fresh milk when traveling to the park the dairy was built.

Location : Mid Park at 65th St.

The Great Lawn

The Great Lawn has, over the years, hosted some of the

most popular musical events in the city history.

Besides hosting the New York Philharmonic and the

Metropolitan Opera for two free performances every

summer the area just north of

Belvedere castle has been the stage for acts as diverse as Simon and Garfunkel and

Pope John Paul II. It was even the site for the 1996 opening of the Disney Movie
"Pocahantas".

Location : Mid-Park from 79th to 85th Street

Turtle Pond

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Turtle Pond, so designated in 1987 in honor of its most

prominent residents, began life as Belvedere Lake, which
was, in turn, originally part of the Croton Reservoir that
once covered what is now the Great Lawn.

At its inception Belvedere Lake was a shallow pool of

nondescript shape that soon became the home to an itinerant collection of fish, frogs,
turtles, dragonflies, and aquatic fowl. While not part of the original park plan it quickly
became clear that the pond was in an ideal location at the base of Vista Rock,
perfectly complimenting the view of Belvedere Castle.
Location : Mid-Park between 79th and 80th Streets

The Lake

At twenty-two acres the Lake is Central Park largest body

of water, excluding the Reservoir, and offers a variety of
activities for park visitors to enjoy.

It also offers a startling array of views as its meandering

shoreline snakes around the landscape. Created originally from a large swamp the lake
has provided generations of park visitors with startling vistas and countless
opportunities for exploration.
Location : Mid-Park from 71st to 78th Streets

Harlem Meer

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The northern end of the park was the last to be

constructed as the blocks from 106th to 110th Sts. were
the last to be purchased.

Nestled up in the north east corner is the Harlem Meer, at

11 acres the second largest manmade body of water inside the park and, since its
renovation during the mid-nineties, considered to be one of the loveliest.
Location : Eastside from 106th to 110th Street

Naumburg Bandshell

Standing at the edge of the Mall, just south of

Bethesda Terrace, the Naumburg Bandshell has been
home to an eclectic array of popular musical
entertainers.
Acts as diverse as John Phillip Sousa, Duke Ellington,
Irving Berlin and The Grateful Dead have performed
upon its stage to the delight of thousands of park visitors.
The Bandshell was originally built in 1923, funded by donations from banker Elkan
Naumburg and replaced an earlier ornate cast-iron bandstand that had been
designed by Jacob Wrey Mould.
It stands at the edge of an area known as The Concert Ground, which was included
in Olmsted and Vaux 1851 Greensward Plan. In 1922, due to the popularity of the
musical diversions, the original Concert Ground was expanded to its current size.
This, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of the filigreed metal bird cages,
ornamental drinking fountains, display fountains and Vaux designed benches. The
current park music series known as Summerstage, which now calls the Rumsey
Playfield its home, originated at the Bandshell and moved only when its popularity
had outgrown the confines of the Concert Ground.