Central Park
Geography
Central Park extends from Central Park West to Fifth Avenue, and 59th to 110th Streets. Its 842
acres is comprised of 136 acres of woodlands, 350 acres of lawns and 150 acres of water.
Central Park contains 58 miles (92.8 km) of pedestrian paths, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of bridle trail,
6.5 miles (10.4 km) of Park Drive, and 7 miles (11.2 km) of benches (nearly 9,000).
There are 51 sculptures in the Park and 36 bridges and arches.
History
Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux designed the park after winning a competition in
1858. Central Park was the first major landscaped public park in the USA.
Central Park’s landscapes were created from barren swampland. It took 16 years and over $14
million (roughly $260 million today) to build the Park.
To construct the Park, workers moved nearly five million cubic yards (3.8 million m3) of stone,
earth, and topsoil. They built 30 bridges and arches, and 11 overpasses over sunken transverse
roads.
More than a half million shrubs, trees, and vines were planted during the building of the Park.
Today, there are more than 26,000 trees, including 1,700 American elms.
The Manhattan rock outcrops in the Park are approximately 450 million years old.
Bethesda Fountain was the only sculpture included in the original construction of the Park.
The northern end of the Park was the site of a series of fortifications for the Revolutionary War
and the War of 1812.
Belvedere Castle was completed in 1872 as a viewing pavilion overlooking the Croton Reservoir.
In 1937, the Reservoir was filled in to become the Great Lawn.
Central Park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and a New York City Landmark
in 1974.
Since 1980, a public-private partnership between New York City and the Central Park
Conservancy has restored and preserved Central Park. The Central Park Conservancy is
responsible for the maintenance and continuing preservation of the Park and has raised over $300
million for its care.
For additional information, including upcoming events, click here
Botanical Gardens
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
52 acres are home to over 1,200 varieties of roses, and fabulous gardens.
New York Botanical Garden
Located in the Bronx, there are 48 gardens, including a Children's Adventure Garden, on this 250-acre site.
Queens Botanical Garden
Started as an exhibit in the 1939 World's Fair, the Queens Botanical Garden is 39 acres of gardens, including special activities for seniors, children, and bird lovers.
Staten Island Botanical Garden
Dozens of gardens and collections on Staten Island.
Wave Hill
Horticultural collections that contain 1,151 genera and 3,236 species of plants.
Wildlife/Zoos
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
More than 325 species of bird have been spotted in the 9,155 acres that comprise Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which is within the limits of New York City.
The Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460 (718) 367-1010
Prospect Park Wildlife Center
450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (718) 399-7339
Central Park Wildlife Center & Tisch Children's Zoo
5th Avenue & East 64th Street, New York, NY 10021 (212) 439-6500
Queens Wildlife Center
53-51 111th Street, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, NY 11368 (718) 271-1500
Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation
Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224 (718) 265-3474
Sports & Recreation
City Athletic Facilities
Find out where to play soccer, football, cricket, baseball, golf, and more at the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Gateway National Recreation Area
America's first Urban Park, Gateway provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
Sports Facilities in NYC
The Sports Commission provides links to all major sports venues in New York City, plus schedules and venue information.
Additional Links
Bryant Park
See a calendar of events and activities, read about park history, and find out about the grounds on the Bryant Park Web site.
Nature Centers
Urban Park Ranger nature centers serve as an in-park community center for public education, recreational activities, and environmental studies.
Parks Activities and Facilities
The Parks and Recreation Department provides a searchable list of parks by features, a comprehensive list of City sports and recreational facilities, and tour group information.
Prospect Park Alliance
Get volunteer information, activities and events schedules, driving schedules, and more at the Park Alliance site.
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A bridge built of local glacial erratics crosses The Ravine in Prospect Park.
Crape-myrtle lines a walkway at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
Penguins at the Central Park Zoo.
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