Introduction

The construction of Central Park was begun in 1858 by journalist and landscaper Frederick Law Olmstead and English architect Calvert Vaux on seemingly undesirable swampland. Its creation, which took 20 years, involved moving millions of tons of soil and rocks, planting over five million trees and building ponds, lakes, a reservoir and roadways.

The result is an incredible wilderness in the heart of the busy city. Its various areas incorporate many different types of natural landscape, which runs the gamut from open fields to thickened forests.

Ball games, picnics and summertime outdoor concerts help make this 843-acre park a virant center of activity. At one famous open-air concert in 1981, more than half a million people came to the Great Lawn to watch Simon and Garfunkel perform.

While Americans around the country spend their summers lounging by swimming pools and walking barefoot on their lawns, the closest many New Yorkers get to the "great outdoors" is Central Park. This does not, however, stop them from putting on bathing suits, applying sunscreen and throwing their beach towels onto the sloping greens of the Sheep Meadow as if it were a sandy beach.

North of the lake, The Ramble has over 30 acres of sylvan wonderland filled with dirt paths and trickling brooks. Known as an excellent spot for birdwatching, excursions are held from Tuesday through Sunday from 11am-4pm. Binoculars and sketching materials are available free of charge.

Best known for its extremely popular walking and jogging route, the Reservoir has recently been renamed to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who used to jog here regularly. Madonna is sometimes seen jogging incognito with her bodyguards.

Take a stroll along the Mall - a grand treelined boulevard in the midst of the park. Little has changed since its days as a popular place to promenade during the late 19th century. Horse-drawn carriages are another popular way of seeing the park. You can check the rates and buy a ticket from a booth at Grand Army Plaza, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.

To step into another time zone altogether, visit the impromptu roller-skating rink just west of the Mall. Skaters wear the four-wheeled rollerskates that seem so perfectly suited to the 1970s disco music that blasts from the fabricated D.J. booth in the center. Nearby, Wollman Rink is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in the city and the main attraction in Central Park.

Although crime in the park is not commonplace, there has been a few very unpleasant and well-publicized incidents. Keep to the more populate areas if the park is unfamiliar to you and avoid roaming the park after dark. There are emergency phone boxes throughout the park as well as a 24-hour park line. (212.570.4820).

Sights to see in Central Park

Skating at Wollman Rink is a unique New York tradition. With its wide open space and fantastic views of the midtown skyline, it is perhaps one of the most spectacular outdoor skating rinks in the world.

Outdoor tables and a terrace overlook the rink, allowing you to watch the skaters below. Inside, there is a snack bar and a sports shop. The view of the skyscrapers bordering the park is especially beautiful at night, and the rink is open late most evenings.

All sessions are accompanied by music, you can stay for as long as you like and lessons are available. If you don't have your own skates, you can rent them at the rink. In the winter, ice skaters fill the rink, but from April to October in-line skating become the main event.

Location: The best way to reach Wollman Rink, located in the southeast corner of the park is from Grand Army Plaza entrance at 59th street and 5th Avenue.

The Carousel, which was imported from its old home at Coney Island, is now a Central Park favorite with children.
Location: 65 Street Transverse.

The Central Park Wildlife Conservation Center has been creatively restored to maximize its small space. The 5 1/2-acre zoo is home to more than 130 species and has three climate zones: the Tropics, the California Coast and the Polar Circle. The polar circle exhibit contains a special tank that allows you to watch the polar bears on land and in the water. A gallery, located outside the main entrance to the zoo, displays wildlife art.
Location: Fifth Street and 64th Street.

Also known as the Model Boat Pond, the Conservatory Water is the site of model boat races every Saturday from March to November. On the north side of the pond is the Alice in Wonderland sculpture. Close by, a statue of Hans Christian Andersen is the site of summertime storytelling sessions.
Location: East 74th Street.

Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, the architectural centerpiece of the park, overlooks the Lake and offers, one of the most scenic views of the park.
Location: 72nd Street.

Beginning at 66th Street, The Mall is a tree-lined thoroughfare that leads up to an open area by the Bandshell, which has become a favorite impromptu spot for in-line skaters.
Location: Between 66th and 72nd Streets.

Strawberry Fields is an international peace garden commemorating the life and death of John Lennon who lived nearby. There are 161 varieties of plant life on this three-acre preserve - a tribute to the 161 nations of the world.
Location: West 72nd Street.

Belvedere Castle, the highest point in the park, is a fairy-tale structure with great views of the heavily forested Ramble to the south and the Great Lawn to the north. The Discovery Chamber is an educational center where children can learn about the park through fun-filled activities. The castle serves as the headquarters for the Urban Park Rangers.
Location: West 79th Street.

Showcasing the wrought-iron gates that once stood at Cornelius Vanderbilts' mansion is the Conservatory Garden. Thousands of plants, trees and shrubs adorn the three formal gardens. In the summer, free tours are given on Saturdays.
Location: West 104th Street.

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