Central Park: A Touch of Nature In The Big City

As a born and bred Manhattanite, I get a lot of pitiful looks from people who grew up in rural and suburban places.  They ask me if I didn’t feel deprived of nature having grown up in this concrete jungle of mine, and always say, “No way!”  While Central Park isn’t exactly Yosemite National Park, for us New Yorkers it is filled with the wonderful presence of nature, and has given many of us cherished moments amidst Summer’s lush green foliage, the earthy color palette of Fall leaves, the “Winter Wonderland” of snow-blanketed meadows, and the promise of Spring as the once-bare trees began to slowly awaken with the tiniest buds sprouting on their branches.  If nowhere else on this island, Central Park allows you to truly feel the seasons in Manhattan in a way that only nature can bring.  Some interesting facts to note about Central Park are that it encompasses 843 acres that include 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns, and 150 acres of water dispersed throughout 7 bodies of water.  Central Park’s six mile perimeter goes from Central Park West to Fifth Avenue and from 59^th Street to 110^th Street.  Central Park is the first public park built in America after a competition for its design was held in 1858.

As for the wildlife that can be spotted here in the heart of Manhattan, down by the water right outside of the Ramble (a small patch of wilderness about half-way up the park from 73^rd to 79^th streets), you can find snowy egrets, green heron, and a multitude of ducks and other birds.  At Turtle Pond (80^th Street edge of the Great Lawn), you will find native Snapping Turtles that absolutely will bite you, so don’t for a second think that they are civilized New Yorkers.  There are also hawks and falcons in Central Park feeding on the “lesser” wildlife like mice and squirrels.  At night, if you are brave enough to hang around just after twilight, you might be lucky enough to see the Eastern Screech Owls who are just getting up for breakfast, as well as the bats who come out of their cosmopolitan caves within the huge boulders of Central Park to kindly rid us of mosquitoes and other pesky insects.

In addition to the lushness of its wilder environment, Central Park also has innumerable events to offer its visitors.  The Central Park Zoo is a wonderful place for everyone (not just the kids).  During the Summer months the Park sets up its annual SummerStage concert series at Rumsey Playfield, bringing some of the hottest acts around (from both past and present), to their stage for free concerts.  And during the month of October there are many spooky Halloween events to choose from.   From stuff to do specifically with the kids to walking tours, there’s never a lack of things to do in this little slice of nature in the heart of the Big Apple.  You can even have your wedding held at the Conservatory Garden – a truly picturesque location to get married.

With all of this located right in our own backyard, you can see why I, and millions of other New Yorkers, don’t feel as if we’ve missed out on so much.  We have the best of both worlds right within our reach – from the urban excitement of Times Square to the beautiful, natural wonder that is Central Park!

Photo by Psansao / Stock Xchng

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