All Parks, to me, have their own bit of magic. Some are quiet and offer solitude for thinking through things to find a solution, to just stroll and think of nothing or to clear my head. They seem to give me a fresh start, a different perspective, new insights that I don't find anywhere else. Other parks just enliven you by the number of activities that may be going on and the range is quite wide! It is fun to see people playing, jogging, different sporting activities and I often never know what I'm going to run into. Some parks have a combination of both and I can choose different parts to spend my time.
I do confess to a favorite park, however. Central Park has long been my destination on a day off or when I need to overcome an obstacle. To me and many others there is no place like it in the World. It's perfect for a Feng Shui Consultant in New York City or anyone else who needs to reconnect to NATURE. Central Park in New York City happens to be the first Landscaped Public Park in the United States. New Yorkers loved the famous Parks of Paris and London and felt New York should also have a first class park. A contest for an architectural design was held and one was approved in 1853 by noted Architect Frederick Law Olmsted in conjunction with Andrew Jackson Downing for Landscaping and Jacob Wrey Mould who designed the 40 Bridges in the Park.
Seven Hundred acres were originally devoted to Central Park which has since extended to over 843 and 20,000 people were employed to begin work on the Park which opened in 1859. The original Central Park Zoo was first established in 1871 and the first playground appeared in 1927; there are now more then 20 playgrounds scattered through throughout the Park. Central Park has been the scene of many movies and is also noted for all the activities it has: joggers, softball players, disco roller skating, concerts, plays, The Boathouse Restaurant, Tavern on the Green, bird watchers and nature lovers to name just a few.
My last visit was just this month; we hit a record breaking 60 degree day and my first thought was of Central Park. I was certainly not the only one that thought that! Enjoy some of my shots from that day and some others and some of the Parks it was modeled after:
Strawberry Fields was created by Yoko Ono to Honor John Lennon. It is almost directly opposite of his former home and is a sanctuary which is maintained by her. Once a year thousands gather to pay tribute to this wonderful man. The rest of the time it is quiet except for the sounds of animals and birds.
Some things are always in Bloom; Central Park is beautiful ANY time of year!
Bocci Ball! I haven't seen this in YEARS! And they are so precise, Look:
He's precisely measuring the distance between balls.
The Disco Rollar Bladers having a blast! Summer, 2007.
Peaceful, quiet serenity on "off the beaten" paths.
The first blossoms of Spring, 2007.
A new found friend in the Park.
Fishing IS allowed in Central Park...as long as you throw them right back. They are currently restocking and renovating the beautiful lake.
A view of what Central Park was conceived of:
Some of the Beautiful parks of Paris, Summer 2007.
Paris, 2007. Any small wonder New Yorkers wanted a beautiful Park?
Central Park is beautiful ANY time of year...You can ice skate at Wollman Skating Park in the Winter and enjoy Shakespeare in the Park in the summer! Or just reconnect to the beauty of nature.
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing Feng Shui Consultations for New York City and Long Island and for those at a distance by phone.
(c) Material is copyrighted.
Carole... I am so jealous of you, having Central Park in your back yard per se..... I agree with so much that you had mentioned. Because it's so large, there are many places that you can get away to. I had the pleasure of stopping in at Central park in April of last year and wrote about it. Central Park & the Central Park Zoo -- "Manhattan as a tourist" -- Part 4 of 5 -- Day 2
Overall, thanks for sharing this....
Carole,
It certainly looks very beautiful and a wonderful place for the community to gather. I didn't realize it was so huge!
Do people swim in the lake? Is that hare in a cage or is it wild?
I would love to visit there someday....and the parks in Paris too, WoW!!
Beautiful pictures, thanks for writing about this,
Jo
Central Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. The foresight of the city fathers to provide this for the residents and visitors is to be admired. I've been in the park but certainly there are areas of it I have not see.
I think my sister and I were there that day it was 60 degrees and yes we walked the park, we walked so much that day.. our mom and daughters took a cab back to the hotel. We grew up in NY so we have to get our fix several times a year.
I do have a question? maybe you have the answer...How many city blocks equals a mile? I used to know but with old age, I can't remember.
Thanks,
carole
The history behind Central park is pretty amazing.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Carole--When I traveled for work we went to NYC quite often and you are right, Central Park is like no other park I have ever been too....We have many parks in MN but none compare with the variety of eclectic activities that are enjoyed at your NY treasure. Thanks for sharing!
I wish I had thought that some people have never seen Central Park, I would have posted more pictures, I must have about a 100 taken over the years! If you have an interest in more let me know...
Kathy, The parks and gardens in Paris are fabulous....but Central Park is my oasis (which might sound silly considering all that goes one there! I never get enough of it...
Heather, I haven't seen that in so many years! I thought it was an old Italian game but when I passed one of the people he said "Bonjour." So maybe it's French? It was very interesting to watch :)
Sally, There is something for everyone there. I love the place, it's my first destination on a warm day if I'm not working :) Someday you'll come to NY and experience it I hope.
Jeff, I remember those posts, I was reading you back then! They were wonderful. Even though I am close to it, I never take it for granted, I treasure my days there...every one of them.
Carol, Every time you go there are different things going on....and I still see parts I've never been to! I just love it there, it's always new :)
Lisa, You would absolutely love it! There are Mimes, dancers, acrobats, magicians--anything you can think of! So much fun and so beautiful.
Katerina, The cost of living is extremely high in New York but that's quite an opportunity for him! And most people love the City, Tavern on the Green is inside the Park and breathtaking, I've eaten there a few times....Wow, he should come up and visit to see if he likes all the energy here but NY is much safer then it's ever been, honestly. I couldn't have said that years ago.
Joan, It is an amazing place...all the bridges are different! And it's so large you find new places over and over again.
Kathy, WHY? Gee, I would miss it, I'm there often! Call me anytime you want to go, I can meet you on the LIRR or at Penn :)
Missy, It is wonderful, isn't it? I'm glad you loved it as much as I do!
Jo, People do go in the lake (another one in the park) but they're not supposed to. They also skateboard off some pretty high places. No, the rabbit isn't in a cage, he's wild. This is on your list for when you get to NY, it is a must see!
Cynthia, There are parts I'm sure that I haven't seen although I've tried! I have some of my favorite "strolls" where the artists and performers are, this visit was entering the Park on the West side.
Diane, There is everything to do...or nothing. I love People watching too, talk about diversity :)
Christina, Strawberry Fields is so quiet. No radios or playing, it is set as a preserve which is beautiful. It is also quite a sight in December when people from all over still gather to pay respects to John Lennon.
Kathleen, Didn't it seem that half of Manhattan were in the park that beautiful day?? I think everyone had the same thought, not to let a January day like that escape. I unfortunately don't know how many city blocks equal a mile....but that particular day I walked over 70 blocks! And I often walk from Penn to Chinatown---I would love to know what that equals :)
Tom, It actually is quite amazing. They chose the design they felt was best for the park and it's inhabitants--and took into mind that at that time, most of the people came into the park by carriage!
Teri, It's the diversity of the Park, I believe. So many things to do or nothing at all..it's up to you. When I went in the 70's it could be a bit frightening in places and wasn't nearly kept as nice, thankfully all that has changed.
Carole - Central Park is very special as Jeff proposed there to me in the middle of a baseball field at sunset then we had dinner at Tavern on the Green ( and met George Steinbrener too- imagine that!).
Lovely photos and I believe I was in the same park you visited in Paris but back in 93
Great Post-Thanks for sharing
Sincerely,
Grace
I havent been to NYC or Central Park in years. After reading your post and looking at all the pictures I will try to get there this spring or summer.
Thanks
Rich
Lizette, There really is nothing like it. It doesn't matter what part of the park you end up in, there is always something special! Eye candy is right :)
Jeff & Grace, How Romantic! I can' think of a nicer place. Doesn't that mean you have to come back every year for your anniversary? :) Tavern on the Green has many celebrities, I'm not surprised you'd run into someone well known.
Michelle, That's TWO proposals at the park...that we know of! I honestly can't think of anything nicer or more romantic, it's a very special place for many of us.
Richard, It is specatular, especially in the Spring when the flowers first start blooming....there's a certain scent in the park of things in bloom at that time! Thank you for your comment.
Joan, I have been in Golden Gate park a few times, I visited San Francisco five times. It too is just beautiful--I loved San Francisco, all of it!
You're lucky to live close to such a great park - the mother of all American parks.
btw - I just learned to play bocci ball today and it was fun.
Hi Carole,
What a nice post! I have heard how beautiful Central Park is .....someday I will get there. Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures of Central Park and Paris.
Fernando, I know you lived here and were a chef! I'm sorry I didn't know you then...the park is fabulous.
Gem, I think I get excited when I write about what I love...and I do love the city. All of it.
Georgina, Thank you! I think I used to know it...or at least I used to see Bocci Ball but don't remember how they played. This was serious, they were measuring exact distances between balls.
Trace, You would love it, I know you would. You can explore there for days and never see the same thing. It's something you never get tired of.
Ah, parks! What a great subject, and when I think of all of the wonderful places and parks I have seen...wow. There was a sculpture park in Oslo that was so phenomenal I still have vivid memories thirty years later...and outside of Victoria (Canada) the Butchart Gardens. And yes, Central Park, although the one time I visited NYC we didn't spend quite enough time there--I've always wanted to see it in winter.
Thank you again, Carole, for an awesome virtual visit!
Loretta, It is pretty in winter but spectacular in summer and spring--and fall! I love to see the blooms start. There is everything imaginable in that park...I will do another one and choose the pictures more carefully, I have a huge amount :)
Karen, It is never enough time in there on a beautiful day. That park resonates with so many people because it has so much beauty. And wonderful things to see or do or just be 'alone.'