The Rundown

Welcome to this week’s issue of The Rundown, where we delve into the intricate and storied past of one of New York City's most iconic landmarks: Central Park. 

Central Park, known today as the “green lung” of New York City, wasn't always the urban oasis it is now. In fact, not a single tree or blade of grass originally grew there naturally. The creation of this 843-acre masterpiece was a monumental feat of engineering, driven by the vision of landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. But the path to making Central Park a reality was anything but smooth.

In the mid-1800s, New York City was rapidly expanding, and social reformers saw the need for a public park that could unite the city's diverse population. Up until that point, private parks like St. John’s and Gramercy Park were exclusive retreats for the wealthy, leaving immigrants and other marginalized groups excluded from these green spaces. The idea for Central Park was born out of a desire to create a place that would serve all New Yorkers, regardless of social standing.

Olmsted and Vaux’s "Greensward Plan" won a public competition and set the stage for what would become the most visited city park in 2023, attracting over 42 million visitors. But before construction could begin, the site had to be prepared. The area chosen for Central Park was rocky, swampy, and riddled with bedrock. It took more gunpowder to blast the land into shape than was used at the Battle of Gettysburg, a testament to the project's sheer scale.

One of the most poignant stories in the park's history is that of Seneca Village, a thriving community predominantly made up of African-American property owners, along with Irish and German immigrants. This tight-knit community was forcibly evicted through eminent domain in 1857 to make way for the park. The displacement of Seneca Village's 1,600 residents shattered the community, scattering them across the boroughs.

Despite this, Olmsted and Vaux continued the project. The construction of Central Park required the transportation of over 10 million cartloads of soil, materials, as well as the planting of more than four million trees, shrubs, and plants. Artificial ponds and lakes were created, 36 bridges and arches were engineered to separate pedestrians and automotive traffic, and a sophisticated drainage system was built to manage water flow and prevent flooding. The park’s construction was a massive undertaking, requiring tens of thousands of laborers, most of whom were Irish and German immigrants.

Central Park officially opened in 1858, and over the decades, it expanded to include sports fields, a carousel, skating rinks, a zoo, gardens, monuments, and entertainment venues. Olmsted envisioned the park as more than just a picnic spot—he saw it as "the very lungs of New York City," inspired by the loss of his first child to cholera. Today, Central Park’s 39 million square feet act as the city’s “green lung”, with over 25,000 trees providing oxygen, filtering pollutants, and helping to cool the city by reducing the heat island effect.

As you stroll through Central Park’s paths or relax on its lawns, it's worth remembering the sacrifices and technological vision that made this urban oasis possible.