The concept for Central Park arose from a 1840s newspaper editor, that said the city required more parks in order to be a livable city. From that point on, there became a movement to convince the state of New York to create a park in 1850; this was approved in 1853, and a  competition was held in 1857 to try to figure out the best design for the people who will leisure in it.

Of all the designs, the one that won was by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. What gave them the winner’s medal, was the integration of the city streets with the park, which other competitors hadn’t included, but in a way that was almost ingenious. When walking inside of the park, it inst easily noticeable that you are walking next to one of the fast-paced Manhattan streets that run through the park. The architects had created a small greenery escape in the center of the city, that allowed people to stroll, ride bareback, and ride in horse pulled carriages through the lanes. The architects looked to English parks for inspiration, and even took England’s love for animals and the land into consideration. Sheep’s meadow, originally contained grazing sheep that gave the effect of being in the country, with the Dairy providing fresh sheeps milk. What wasn’t included in the original schematic was any play place for children; as this was a park meant for the wealthy adults.

What i think is a decent design element of the park, was the usage of benches, and how they span down each pathway with little to no separation between them. I can imagine people being able to interact with one another with great ease, on a beautiful spring day. Each one of the paths isn’t covered with benches, but that immediately tells you the different program for this path. The use of man made landscape and tunnels through bridges also creates a fairy tale feeling, like traveling through a secret arch into adventure.