Secrets of Central Park:
Part II: Middle of the Park
(72nd Street to the Great Lawn)
By Laurie Lewis
The previous issue of this newsletter explored secrets in the southern section of Central Park. This issue reveals hidden treasures in the middle of the Park, the area between 72nd Street (except for Bethesda Terrace, which was covered previously) and the Great Lawn.
As in the southern part of the Park, many of the highlights in the center section are not what they seem. The two largest examples are the Lake and the wooded area just north of it, the Ramble. Both of these landscapes look like they have been here forever, but they actually were created in the mid-nineteenth century. The designers of the Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, drained the swampy area located in the 70s, installed pipes, and filled the large hole with water from the city’s municipal supply. Most people are surprised to learn that the water in the Lake, like in all the water bodies in Central Park, is essentially city tap.
The previous issue of this newsletter explored secrets in the southern section of Central Park. This issue reveals hidden treasures in the middle of the Park, the area between 72nd Street (except for Bethesda Terrace, which was covered previously) and the Great Lawn.
As in the southern part of the Park, many of the highlights in the center section are not what they seem. The two largest examples are the Lake and the wooded area just north of it, the Ramble. Both of these landscapes look like they have been here forever, but they actually were created in the mid-nineteenth century. The designers of the Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, drained the swampy area located in the 70s, installed pipes, and filled the large hole with water from the city’s municipal supply. Most people are surprised to learn that the water in the Lake, like in all the water bodies in Central Park, is essentially city tap.
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We've Been Writing!
From its earliest days, New York has been home to many creative, inventive people. They introduced an amazing array of innovations that were the first of their kind in the nation. Read about them in New York City Firsts, a book by Laurie Lewis. For purchasing information, see www.nycfirsts.com.
Central Park is one of the jewels of New York City. Alan Cohen wrote text to accompany full-color photographs for Central Park People. For information about purchasing the book, contact the photographer at [email protected].
About "Take a Walk New York" Tours
We are a group of New York City licensed tour guides offering a New York experience that is beyond the standard fare. Let us take you on a walk through the greatest city in the world, and discover why New York is a place like no other.
