You really could probably spend a whole day in Central Park, or a least a big portion of it. The park spans 843 acres and it currently cared for by the Central Park Conservancy. It was the first landscaped public park in the United States, and first opened to the public in the winter of 1889. Thousands of New Yorkers enjoyed ice skating on the frozen lakes in the winter and to relaxing on the lawns listening to concerts in the summer. Budget cuts in the 1970s caused a decline in park maintenance until 1980 when the Central Park Conservancy took charge of restoring the and maintaining the park.
Central Park November 2010 taken from the "Top of the Rock"
Today the park is still used and loved by both New Yorkers and tourists. Many people use the park for fitness; running, walking, cycling and rollerblading. Last fall one of my best friends and I went running in the park to train for a marathon. We ran the outer loop of the park which is approximately 6 miles around and we loved it. I see why people frequent the park to go for a run. It was so much easier to run outside in the park with distractions from scenery.
Aside from working out there are so many places to go, things to do, and statues to see in the park. I have been to the park several times and I still haven’t seen it all. There is just so much to do! During the winter months the ice skaters frequent the rinks are open and when it snows people bring their sleds to the park. Spring welcomes runners and cyclists as they prepare for races and March winds encourage people to come out and fly kites. Summer in the park is filled with music and dancing with free concerts and events are held everyday. Fall lets you enjoy the last picnics of the year as the leaves of the trees begin to change and the weather gets cooler in preparation for winter.
Central Park is a place to make memories. People go there to spend time with their family and friends, to celebrate,to take pictures, to be discovered, to get married, to listen to music, to dance, to watch movies, and to relax.
Here are some pictures of my adventures in the park.
Strawberry Fields
Bethesda Terrace
Rowing on the Lake
The Ramble
Belvedere Castle
Swedish Cottage
Shakespeare in the Park @ the Delacorte Theater
Central Park has something for everyone to do all year round. What are some of your favorite things to do in the park? Where have your adventures taken you?
Until next time ~agirltravels
A Girl Travels 