The first "public park" in the U.S. was the venerable Boston Common. Its land was purchased in 1634 for military training and cattle grazing. Thankfully, by 1640 the 50 acre Common was promoted to an actual park and has been used for public enjoyment since then. Although it has had a colorful past, it now a top destination for locals and visitors alike.
Likewise, New York city's Central Park is a park with a rich history. On a recent trip to the city, I had the pleasure of enjoying a bike ride around Central Park. It was a great way to explore the 840 acre spread and we were there at a good time for flowers, both wild and not so wild! I rented a well-used "comfort" bike at Columbus Circle and spent a couple of hours exploring the miles of roads and trails. There were many others out and about on foot and on bikes but it was not crowded. The park has so many distinct areas and is so large, one could spend days getting to really know it.
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| Near Columbus Circle |
The park has a fascinating history of ups and downs since 1857 when it was first set aside. With the exception of the large granite rock formations, none of the park's many areas are native lands; it was designed and built entirely by humans - but it has been around for so long, portions of it have become naturalized. Locals love the park and I can see why: it has something or someplace for just about everyone.
As with many nature spaces these days, Central Park is operated and maintained by a non-profit conservancy in partnership with the city. According to their website, this has led to greater funding and a long term approach to the health of the park. And rightly so - it is the most visited park in the U.S, with 40 million visitors in 2013.
In addition, the trend for public nature parks as another "menu option" to traditional city parks continues to evolve. It is encouraging that our civic leaders are recognizing the need for both formal, structured multi-use parks as well as true nature parks, with native plants and animals and minimal human impact. Central Park has an "embedded" four acre nature park called the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. It was restored in 2001 by removing invasives and adding trails. Since then it has evolved into a limited use example of natural restoration. Unfortunately for me, it was closed at the time of my visit, so a return trip is in order.
In addition, the trend for public nature parks as another "menu option" to traditional city parks continues to evolve. It is encouraging that our civic leaders are recognizing the need for both formal, structured multi-use parks as well as true nature parks, with native plants and animals and minimal human impact. Central Park has an "embedded" four acre nature park called the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. It was restored in 2001 by removing invasives and adding trails. Since then it has evolved into a limited use example of natural restoration. Unfortunately for me, it was closed at the time of my visit, so a return trip is in order.
You can read more about Central Park from the links below. Here are a few photos from our brief stay in New York city in late April of this year.
These native Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginana) were blooming all over the park:
It is unlikely a cougar ever roamed this area, but this one keeps
a close eye on wayward visitors...
In one area you can enjoy carefully landscaped tulips,
while these native violets are growing here and there along foot paths.
The North Woods section resembles a typical northeastern forest and is
largely naturalized. The hybrid cherries were blooming throughout the
grassy areas.
Honesty (Lunaria annua) was showing its stuff along the trails, but there is only
one obelisk in the park. You'll have to visit London to see the other.*
The Lake is one of several water features in the park. On this warm
April day, visitors were enjoying lunch hour.
Native shrubs bloom in the North Woods, while ornamental
crabapples please humans, canines, and bees alike!
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