Lab 2: Features of Park History

“To conceive of New York without the Park is to imagine the intolerable.”

Part I

Amongst the array of skyscrapers and concrete that characterize New York City, lies an urban anomaly—an 843 acre strip of nature that cuts across one of the world’s most prominent metropolitan Meccas. This anomaly is none other than Central Park. Though it’s hard to image, Central Park is a far cry from an original fixture of New York City. Rather the park is a man-made monument, which arose from an increasing demand for public space involving interplay between desire for a picturesque landscape within an urban setting, public interest to impose “breathing space” and increased real-estate speculations. (Ganley 2003, 85-86) Nevertheless, the imperative to build such a public space caught wind and the Central Park Commission held a national contest to determine who would devise plans for such the park. Frederick Olmsted’s and Calvert Vaux’s “Greensward Plan” won the bid of some 33 entrees (Gandy 2003, 87)

The plan combined “picturesque” design, semiwild landscapes, and formal monuments—much as it remains today (Waxman). What is quite different however is the purpose for which its planners originally envisioned the park. When one considers the quintessential activities of Central Park, the fields littered with playing children, picnicking families and sport engaged youths come to minds. Olmsted however had no intention of social interaction in Central Park to be of this nature. Central Park–as envisioned by Olmsted–was to be setting to be enjoyed for its aesthetic quality with activities like simple strolls being amongst the leisure activities to be partaken in.   Though initially rules in Central Park were highly restrictive, as time passed, and millions more visitors were granted access to the park (by increased transit systems etc) Olmsted’s initial vision for the park faded, and was replaced by a more contemporary view of preservation and use (Gandy 2003, 93-94)

Part II

As the perception of Central Park’s purpose has changed, as have some of its physical attributes. One such being athletic fields like North Meadow which consists of multiple baseball and softball fields. North Meadow was not what Olmsted’s original plan had in mind for Central Park.  Olmsted’s refusal to include such athletic facilities in his plan for the park drew allegations of his disdain for popular American culture. This resulted in the eventual dismissal of Olmsted’s managerial role in Central Park and made way for the creation of various athletically oriented venues within the  park like North Meadow. Consisting of 12 fields and 23 acres, North Meadow is one of Central Park’s most prominent open spaces. Since it’s creation in the 1870’s this part of the park has been fitted with baseball diamonds as well as a recreational facility for the public(“North Meadow”).  North Meadows existence, constant upkeep, and prominence says much about how Central Park’s purpose has evolved from what Olmsted intended. Central Park is no longer a place to be purely be admired by the eyes, rather one can admire it by taking park in the activities it has to offer(.

References

Gandy, Matthew. Concrete and Clay: Reworking Nature in New York City. Cambridge Mass. [etc.: MIT, 2003. Print.; Olmstead, Frederick L. “Public Parks and the Enlargement of Towns.” American Social Science Association (1870): 1-36. Print.

“North Meadow” | Your Complete Guide to Central Park.” Your Complete Guide to New York City’s Central Park | CentralPark.com. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/north-end/north-meadow.html>.

Waxman, Sarah. “History of Central Park, New York.” The Paperless Guide to New York City. NY.COM. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ny.com/articles/centralpark.html>.