Central Park: The Lungs of Manhattan

Aida Badouli

Central Park is like the lungs of Manhattan, a sanctuary of nature and calm, a refuge for locals and tourists alike, tucked away among Manhattan's busy streets and tall buildings. Central Park, an 843-acre expanse that provides an escape from the rush of the city, is more than just a destination for New Yorkers—it's an integral component of everyday life. It is a shared garden for all of its citizens, it is where everyone meets and practices each of their own activities, even the schools of Manhattan are using the area as their sports fields. 

The many landscapes and famous sites of Central Park are well-known to New Yorkers, who enjoy everything from picnics on green lawns to relaxing walks along wandering walkways. For many who live in the city, the park is a very special location, whether it's for seeing a show at the Delacorte Theater, running around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Walking along the Mall, boating on the Lake and dining at the boathouse, stopping at the Delacorte Clock to hear the nursery rhymes or seasonal tunes that play every half hour…

Although today Central Parc appears to be a natural element perfectly integrated into the urban environment, it is a complete human creation that has evolved over the course of the city's history. If we go deeper into its origin we can discover that its construction dates back to the middle of the 19th century, starting in 1858, requiring the removal of almost 5 million cubic meters of earth, stone and topsoil, the construction of bridges and arches and the planting of 500,000 trees, shrubs and plants all designed by the two architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.

Even more, beneath Central Park's gorgeous landscape and busy activity is a rich historical tapestry just waiting to be discovered. A fascinating look into the layers of human activity that have created this famous green space over generations may be had via Central Park's archeology. The archeological heritage of Central Park is as varied as the city it is located in, ranging from the ruins of Seneca Village, an African American village that was uprooted in the 19th century when the park was built, to the remains of the original Olmsted and Vaux design that altered the landscape. By means of meticulous investigation and analysis, archaeologists have assembled elements of the park's history, illuminating the lives of persons who formerly inhabited the area and the development of one of the most cherished urban parks globally.

Until today the park continues to evolve everyday, they have a special organization named The Central Park Conservancy which is in charge of the several restoration of the parks such as redeveloping the Harlem Meer Center  and renovating the Conservatory Garden, the Central Park’s formal garden. This one is particularly important because it had an horticultural function, designed by Park co-designer Calvert Vaux, it was created for growing plants for the Park’s landscapes. It’s composed of three areas: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden.