Central Park is the huge rectangular park in the heart of Manhattan, New York City. Central Park covers 843 acres (3.41 sq km). It is the same size as San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Chicago's Lincoln Park and Munich's Englischer Garten.

Central Park is bordered by West 110 Street to the north (called here Central Park North), Fifth Avenue to the east, West 59th Street to the south (called here Central Park South), and Eighth Avenue (called here Central Park West). The park is the main playground for New York City. It features numerous recreational areas with parks, gardens, man-made lakes, meadows, fields, and some 500,000 trees. 35 million people visit it every year.

Central Park, New York CityCentral Park, New York City
© Alfred Hutter
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New-York-City---Manhattan---Central-Park---%28Gentry%29.jpg

Central Park was initially created in 1857, and was improved and expanded in 1873. The designers were Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who both won the competition to design the park. Today it is a National Historic Landmark.

Even today, Central Park continues to be upgraded and improved, with new features being added from time to time. You can go there to jog, as you can to play chess or attend a concert. Cars are not allowed at Central Park, but bicycles are fine.

Central Park, New York CityCentral Park, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southwest_corner_of_Central_Park,_looking_east,_NYC.jpg
Author: Ed Yourdon
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The Lake in Central Park with San Remo Apartments in the backgroundThe Lake in Central Park with San Remo Apartments in the background
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Central_Park_Lake_%26_San_Remo.jpg
Author: CityFeedback
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Although the trees and woods in Central Park look quite natural, in fact almost everything is landscaped, right down to the lakes and ponds, which are all man-made. There are 6 miles (10 km) of jogging path in Central Park. These are popular with joggers, bicyclists and skateborders.

Despite the perception of violent crimes in Central Park, in fact the crime rate has declined in the park over the last decade. There are now fewer than a hundred crime at the park a year, down from a thousand in the early 1980s.

Tranquil spot on Central ParkTranquil spot on Central Park
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Central-Park-02.jpg
Author: Fb78
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Sights in Central Park

  1. Belvedere Castle
    Pavilion castle on the second highest natural elevation in Central Park.

  2. Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
    Fountain and terrace overlooking the Lake in Central Park.

  3. Conservatory Garden
    The only formal garden in Central Park.

  4. Strawberry Fields
    Landscaped garden funded by Yoko Ono as a tribute to her husband John Lennon.

  5. The Dairy
    Stone building that was planned to be the Children's District in Central Park.

Visiting Central Park

You can reach Central Park by taking the A, B, C, D and 1 trains of the New York City Subway at alight at the Columbus Circle Subway Station, on the southwest corner of the park. The B and C trains continue along Central Park West, stopping at the 72nd Street Subway Station, 81st Street Subway Station (under the Museum of Natural History), the 86th Street Subway Station, 96th Street Subway Station, 103rd Street Subway Station and 110 Street Subway Station.

On the east side, take the N or R trains to the Fifth Avenue and 60th Street Subway Station.

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Thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye. My hobby is to research information about places, and share the information with people on this website. I started this website on 5 January 2003, and since then, have written about over 20,000 places, mostly in Malaysia and Singapore.

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