Central Park: a haven of peace in the middle of Manhattan Island
If there's one place to visit during your stay in New York, it's Central Park. This park located in the middle of Manhattan was created in 1857. Its work lasted 19 years and its site was large scope : more than 200 people worked there, thousands of trees were planted, alleys, tracks and paths were created. Central Park was therefore an incredible project!
Since its opening, Central Park has attracted many people eager to discover this new park located in the middle of the city. Faced with this success, Central Park has evolved and new buildings and spaces have opened, such as the Central Park Zoo or the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET).
At present, Central Park is an emblem of New York City. A true haven of peace, it is a place that calls for relaxation and rest. It is also the meeting point for many runners and cyclists.
In winter, two skating rinks are also set up in the middle of the park; ideal for an ice skating session with a view of the New York buildings! And if you love to take photos, in the fall the colors of Central Park change to make way for pretty fall colors.
Today, Central Park is therefore a must-see that offers a multitude of activities whatever the season. So you won't have time to get bored! But how big is Central Park?
Area of Central Park: what is the area of this park?
The area of Central Park is 3.41m² or 341 hectares (4 kilometers by 800 meters). This green space located in the middle of skyscrapers is therefore the largest in the city. It is bounded by 59th Street on the South, 110th Street on the North, 8th Avenue on the West and 5th Avenue on the East. The streets surrounding it are nicknamed respectively: Central Park South, Central Park North or Central Park West. As for the neighborhoods surrounding it, you can find theUpper East Side, the posh Manhattan district and theUpper West Side, a friendly and very diverse borough.
Other interesting (and impressive) figures about Central Park
With an area of 341 hectares, Central Park is therefore a huge green space. Moreover, did you know that its surface area represents approximately 6% of the total surface of Manhattan ? Incredible, right? But in addition to its impressive area, Central Park is also:
- 19 years of work and more than 200 people who worked for its construction.
- 500 trees and shrubs to be planted during its development.
- 9 benches installed throughout the park.
- 21 children's play areas.
- 36 bridges and arches.
- 51 sculptures distributed throughout the park.
- 40 fountains including the Bethesda Fountain in the center of the Bethesda Terrace. It was inaugurated in 1973 and designed by Emma Stebbins. Cherubim represent peace, prosperity, temperance and purity. They refer to a passage in chapter 5 of the Gospel according to John which gives a description of an angel blessing the Bethesda basin in Jerusalem.
- 7 lakes, the most important of which is the Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis Reservoir with a surface area of 43 hectares.
During your walk in Central Park, you will also be able to see several constructions such as the Belvedere Castle, a castle built on Vista Rock. This castle was built in 1869 in a Scottish style. Today, it houses facilities from the New York Weather Observatory, but its 360 ° view of the park and surrounding area is popular with tourists.
Another Central Park site to discover: the Strawberry Fields memorial dedicated to John Lennon.
Facilities for athletes
For athletes, Central Park offers several facilities and tracks like West Drive, East Drive, and the Reservoir Running Track, a 2,54 kilometer jogging track of The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. But Central Park is also:
- 7 kilometers of corridors reserved for horse riding.
- 9.7 kilometers of road that can be taken by pedestrians, cyclists, by those practicing rollerblading ...
What about the flora and fauna?
The largest green space in the Manhattan neighborhood, Central Park contains one of the last elm plantations (species of tree) Americans from the northeastern United States. The park has 1 protected species from Dutch elm disease (also known as “Dutch elm disease”).
In addition, you may encounter some animals during your walk in Central Park. The park welcomes in particular 270 species of birds, 14 of mammals (squirrels, marmots, rabbits, etc.) and 80 fish in Harlem Meer (located northeast of Central Park).
The area of Central Park therefore extends to 341 hectares. You will have something to enjoy 🙂
