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The
Simple Pleasures Of Central Park
Manhattan, as every native
and tourist knows, is a fast-paced,
high-energy island famous as a center of
business, culture and excitement.
Unfortunately, the drive and focus of
many New Yorkers often translates into
rudeness and anxiety. But amid this chaos
lies 840 acres of tranquillity and
escape, known as Central Park.
As a child, Central Park was
my backyard. Picnics and visits to the
playground assured that I never felt
deprived of green open spaces. Although
the park declined during the fiscal
crisis of the 70's, The Central Park
Conservancy, founded in 1979, changed all
that. The park is once again a thriving
oasis in the middle of the raging storm
that is Manhattan.
There are so many ways and
places to enjoy the park, one could spend
a lifetime exploring them all. They
include sports and leisure activities,
educational and cultural experiences,
artistic and hedonistic pursuits. There
are things for children and adults,
natives and tourists. There are places
for nature lovers, sun worshipers, art
students and dogs. While some activities
require a fee (anything from under a
dollar to ride the Carousel to the $50
annual permit fee for use of the tennis
courts) many things are free. In fact, it
is a place where you can spend a
fulfilling, inspiring, multi-faceted day
without ever opening your wallet. Whoever
first said the best things in life are
free could have been talking about
Central Park.
Here is an example of a day
crowded with Central Park activities. All
activities are free unless otherwise
noted. (I do not actually recommend
trying this itinerary in one day.
Remember, 840 acres is a big space. Take
it from someone who has covered the
length of the park several times in one
day. It's not for the faint-hearted.)
- Start the day with
an early morning jog around the reservoir. The new, lower,
wrought-iron fence allows great
city vistas, all while you're
getting your daily exercise.
- Step inside the
Dairy (at 65th street) and pick
up maps and information from the
Visitor's Center. Here you can
learn about any upcoming events,
and maybe sign up for a
bird-watching hike or nature
walk.
- Stop by Strawberry Fields and pay tribute to
John Lennon; relax in Sheep's
Meadow and sunbathe, toss a
frisbee, or make new friends; or
go to the pond at the Southeast
tip of the park to sit and sketch
your surroundings. Should you
care to dip into your wallet
while at this end of the park,
you can ride the Carousel, visit the Zoo or skate at Wollman Rink. If you really want
to splurge, and you've had a
shower since that morning jog,
you can pop in to Tavern On The
Green for a bite or a cocktail.
A short stroll up Literary
Walk brings you to many athletic and
leisure activities. Each has it's own
group of enthusiasts, and often a club or
organization dedicated to the activity.
- To the west of
Sheep's Meadow you'll find
"The Hill" where expert
roller bladers take turns racing
down the hill through a column of
pylons. While this activity is
technically open to anyone, don't
do it unless you are an advanced
roller blader.
- North of Sheep's
Meadow you'll find the New York
Lawn Bowling and New York Croquet
Clubs. When you come upon these
groups,dressed in their white
attire and playing on manicured
lawns, you'll think you've
stepped back in time. The clubs
are not restricted, but you must
be a member to participate in the
games. For most of us, it is
enough to stop by and watch them
play for a few moments to bring a
smile to our lips.
- East of the Meadow,
you can visit the Conservatory
Water, where model yachts
(available for rent) cruise
gracefully around the pond and
children climb the Alice in Wonderland statue. People of
all ages and sorts sit along the
edge of the water or on the
benches around it. There always
seems to be a sax playing within
earshot of the boats, adding to
the feeling that you are on a
movie set. In fact, this is one
of several spots in the park
which has been used more than
once as the backdrop for a movie
scene.
- Probably the most
popular movie set in the park is
Bethesda Terrace, and with it's
recently restored fountain and
glorious view this is no
surprise. It is the virtual, if
not geographical, center of the
park. "Meet you at the
Terrace at noon" is a great
way to hook up with friends and
begin a Central Park adventure.
If your friend is late, you can
pass the time watching the parade
of bikers, roller bladers and
strollers go by on the 72nd
street transverse. Even better,
watch the four men near the head
of the large staircase perform
their wonderful Motown puppet
act.
- Down the great
staircase from the Terrace is the
beautiful Bethesda Fountain, and
just beyond that is the lake,
where you can rent a rowboat.
- Moving north from
this area, you'll hit the
cultural center of the park. The
Delacourte Theatre is home to the
New York Shakespeare Festival's
free Shakespeare in the Park
performances, which are held
throughout the summer. In the
nearby Cottage Marionette Theater
you'll find marionette
performances for children nine
months of the year. The Great
Lawn is home to concerts in the
park, including performances by
The New York Philharmonic, The
Metropolitan Opera, and the
occasional pop legend such as
Paul Simon. East of the Great
Lawn is the Metropolitan Museum. While the museum
requires an admission fee, you
can get a free taste of it by
visiting Cleopatra's Needle which
sits behind the museum, or
looking through the great glass
wall on the North end of the
museum to view the Temple of Dendur.
Many people foolishly
believe that this is where the
"good" part of the park ends.
Those who accept this belief are missing
out on some the greatest riches the park
has to offer. You cannot discount them
just because they lie north of 96th
street.
- The Conservatory Garden is truly one of New
York's greatest treasures. Just
inside the park off 105th street,
it is a breathtakingly beautiful
spot filled with carefully
planted flowers and trees,
maintained lovingly by volunteers
and well as the Parks Department.
Entering here is like unlocking
the gate to The Secret Garden. To
add to the romantic feeling, this
place is no secret to wedding
photographers, and you will often
spot bridal parties among the
flora.
- The Harlem Meer and Dana
Discovery Center are another success
story of the Central Park
Conservancy. Educational programs
abound and the Meer has been
stocked with a supply of fish for
budding fishermen who can borrow
poles from the Discovery Center.
The North End is also home
to a great many of the flora and fauna
which populate the park. It is a
bird-watchers paradise and a great place
for a quiet hike. As with any large park,
it's advised to pick up a map before
heading out on a hike. You won't fall off
a cliff or be attacked by bears, but it
is easy to get lost on the small complex
trails (both in the North End and, even
more so, in the Rambles to the South).
While the park is certainly safer than
many perceive it, it is not Utopia, and
you wouldn't want to be lost deep in the
Rambles when it gets dark.
It is impossible to cover
all there is to do and see in Central
Park without writing a whole book. For a
list of basic places to go within the
Park, see the related
article. For information
on activities and events, contact The
Central Park Conservancy at 212-315-0385.
The Dana Discovery Center at 110th Street
(just inside the park from Fifth Avenue)
or The Dairy (mid-park at 65th street)
can provide general information and give
you listings of upcoming hikes, tours and
other activities. Both are open from 11
am to 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Call
the Dana Discovery Center at
212-860-1370, or the Dairy at
212-794-6564. Keep in mind sometimes the
best activity in the park is no activity
at all. Happy Park-ing!
by Jennifer J. Wollan
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