It’s Saturday, 6:00 p.m. A long week of work is over, and walking through Central Park helps bring clarity to the soul. Orange and purple hues start to fill the sky, and just as an escape from real life presents itself, a pack of huge dogs leap from the hedge of greenery a couple feet away. But, they’re not just any big dogs – they’re coyotes, with large, glistening canines, and sharp, deadly claws.
Although shocking, it’s true: coyotes have been in parts of Central Park – most notably the Ramble and the North Woods – since 1930. Coyotes aren’t the only hidden gem of the 843-acre oasis situated in the center of the bustling city. Sure, many are aware of the popular Central Park Zoo, or the breathtaking Bethesda Fountain, but few know of the public European Gardens, or the old military fort, Fort Clinton.
Before delving into the secrets of Central Park, it is essential to have a brief understanding of both its history and geography. The park was established in the mid-19th century, when the influx of immigrants was at its peak – New York City was overcrowded, and an open space was necessary. With the help of numerous philanthropists and city leaders, the park was constructed by a young English architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, who based it off of Birkenhead Park, one of the most prominent parks in England at the time. Consequently, the park has several European characteristics including its arrangement, architecture, and adornments.
Central Park extends from 59th Street to 110th Street, and is situated between Fifth and Eighth avenue. It acts as a barrier between the West and East side, falling directly in the middle of Manhattan. The park is bordered by a variety of well known neighborhoods: Harlem to the north, Midtown Manhattan to the south, the Upper West Side to the west, and the Upper East Side to the east. As can be seen in the map, rather than being a uniform chunk of land, the territory of Central Park is divided into a multitude of smaller vicinities. Having a basic idea of the layout can help one to navigate and explore the park without getting lost, so it’s crucial to be familiar with it.
Locations
Throughout my trip in Central Park, I biked on the many intertwined roads the park maintains for its pedestrians. However, one can see each of the riveting sights just as easily on foot.
The first stop I arrived at is the Conservatory Garden, located at 5th Avenue and 105th Street. Built in 1937, the garden is made up of three spaces: the French Garden, the Italian Garden, and the English Garden. The garden’s horticulture is beautiful – dozens of multi-colored flowers are growing, coming together to make a stunning landscape. Although scattered throughout the bushes, there are also many carefully crafted sculptures that convey the park’s joyfulness. People who visit the garden either stumble upon it accidentally, or, like me, come there with a desire to paint or photograph the scenery.
The next location is a couple of minutes away, situated atop a large hill – I had to climb through the rocks with my bike to reach it quickly. However, while rock scrambling, a particular distinctive feature of the rocks was accentuated by the sun, the long blue and white stripes that cover each inch of the boulder. These marks were created by the Ice Age millions of years ago, similar to that of almost all other rocks in Central Park. Although a surprising phenomenon, all of this rock – 476,000 cubic yards of old bedrock – was transported from around North America to Central Park, giving it the rock formations it boasts today.
Residing at the top of the hill is an old military fort that can be traced back to both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The structure was named Fort Clinton, and consists of two cannons – one large and long, and the other stubbier. This site was strategically positioned atop the hill as part of the British army’s original defense, but after their defeat it was rebuilt and renamed in honor of Mayor DeWitt Clinton. The designers of Central Park understood the historical significance of the location, and as a result developed this site to honor the wars’ significance for New York City.
Just as I was exiting from the Conservatory Garden, I ran into a couple who asked for me to take a photo of them in front of the Untermyer Fountain and its respective sculpture. The man had lived in the city for years, and his wife had just arrived from Tanzania; the two were visiting the park. When I mentioned that I was on my way to see Fort Clinton, he said, “I’ve lived four to six blocks away from here, and raised my children there [Washington Heights], but I never knew there was a fort here.” Hardly anyone knows of this hidden fort, despite its lovely view overlooking one of the park’s countless ponds and the city’s tall skyscrapers.
Next is the park’s extensive collection of waterfalls. The forestry of Central Park, also known as The Ramble, contains almost a dozen of these cascades. All of them are man-made, and sourced from a large reservoir that accounts for an eighth of the park’s total land. Each varies in size, from large, gushing waterfalls, to tiny spouts of water. Entrapped within an environment of trees, bushes, and lush greenery, they provide a sense of serenity. In fact, many people visit them solely to meditate while appreciating the nature.
Along with waterfalls, The Ramble also encompasses many caves throughout its arboriculture. These caves often tunnel deep into rock, and are difficult to access and see – one must jump over a fence and climb down by the water to spot them. One particularly interesting cave is known as the “Indian Cave,” which was obscured from the public with a stone wall to prevent possible trouble with reckless explorers.
After roaming through the woods, it is hard to miss the Shakespearean Garden. Similarly to the Conservatory Garden, there are numerous types of flowers with popping, vibrant colors. In addition to greenery, the garden is also home to many species of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The garden was originally dedicated to Shakespeare, and was also created to represent the English Countryside. Additionally, the Shakespearean Garden has a unique, secret characteristic: throughout the clusters of flowers are ten small, bronze plaques with quotes from Shakespeare’s works, each of which reference horticulture. As a result, although physically small, the garden has an immense poetic and whimsical feeling.
A couple of feet away from the entrance of the Shakespearean Garden resides a small Swedish cottage. Many people walk by the house without realizing its special purpose: it serves as a marionette theatre, where shows often take place. To this day, performances can be observed if a ticket is purchased beforehand.
Finally, the last stop of the trip is the chess and checkers house, which was built in 1952. Despite its ambiguous external appearance, once inside the canopy its function is clear: there are dozens of cement tables with a visual of a chess board engraved upon their surfaces. Chess sets can be borrowed at the front desk Thursday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those that know of the house’s whereabouts generally bring their friends to play chess or checkers. Nevertheless, few are aware of the events and chess workshops that are offered there, making it an exceptionally fun location for children.
Activities
In addition to interesting sites to visit, the activities in Central Park are bountiful. The most well-known endeavors include playing sports at the tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball meadows. In the winter, ice-skating on Wollman’s Rink and sledding on the park’s many large hills are among the most popular activities. Central Park also organizes free concerts, festivals, and year-round activities, some of which are widely known.
One of the most scenic adventures Central Park has to offer are their boat services. Boats and Venetian Gondolas can be rented at the Loeb Boathouse, where small groups can explore the gorgeous nature and greenery from a new, closer perspective. In addition to real boats, toy sailboats can be rented and controlled with a remote at the Conservatory Water. Races are commonly held, and even if not participating, one can enjoy by simply spectating.
To further explore the natural beauty of Central Park, many tour guides lead bird-watching expeditions, where visitors can catch a glimpse of some of the 235 bird species living in Central Park. The park’s lush greenery and carefully protected environment allows for many birds to nest and lay eggs, as well as offer refuge for migrating birds who happen to pass through.
Although Central Park workers from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation do not formally supervise this activity, rock-climbing is an extraordinary and unique sport that can be practiced within the park. Rock-climbing has gained immense popularity within the park as its diverse rock structures offer a range of puzzles for climbers. As a result, over the last few years, several websites have grown and dedicated themselves to identifying the best locations in the park for climbing (I personally recommend MountainProject.com). In general, climbs on the website can be chosen from a scale of difficulty – V0 being the easiest, and higher number V’s being harder. When partaking in this activity, a landing pad is necessary for safety (one can easily be rented from a climbing gym) and chalk is strongly recommended for easier grip on the rock.
Finally, fishing is another unusual practice within the park, but can certainly be done with caution. In fact, the Harlem Meer offers a youth-focused fishing program for those who want to learn about the engaging activity. The bodies of water within the park act as a habitat for a surprisingly large number of species of fish, including Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Chain Pickerel, Catfish, Bass, Carp, Bluegill Sunfish, and Crayfish. However, in order to fish, one must be aware of the rules; as I was exploring Central Park, I ran into a fisherman who described how “catch-and-release is necessary,” and that “a large variety of gear can be used, each with their own respective rules.” Further information is located on Central Park’s official website for fishing.
Central Park truly is representative of a treasure map: there are countless sights to see, activities to experience, and fascinating people to meet. No matter how many times you visit, X always marks a different spot on Central Park’s map. Something new waits to be discovered each time.
Central Park truly is representative of a treasure map: there are countless sights to see, activities to experience, and fascinating people to meet. No matter how many times you visit, X always marks a different spot on Central Park’s ma. Something new waits to be discovered each time.