New York's Central Park wonders attract international crowd to enjoy variety, beauty

New York's Central Park is a welcoming oasis any time of the year.

A PARK FOR ALL SEASONS AND ALL PEOPLE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK CITY

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Corby Skinner, left, with Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller, on a recent visit to New York. The trip's emphasis was theater, with a stroll through Central Park.

A VISIT TO New York is not complete without a stroll through Central Park.

It has a magic unrivaled by any park we’ve visited in the world.

That’s because it combines so many elements designed for relaxation, pleasure and enjoyment of nature.

Central Parks fans come from all over the world, a truly international crowd. Office workers, tourists, musicians, bikers, strollers gather here. You'll see bird watchers, chess players, nannies with their youngsters, romancing couples, elderly friends gossiping or just soaking up sun, picnickers, boaters in summer, ice skaters in winter.

The park is well loved -- frequented by families, singles, couples, groups cataloging insects or birds, friends playing games. The splendors of this unusual and inviting oasis have been part of the city since 1853. The goal was to meet the recreational needs of a growing city.  That goal has been met and surpassed.  

New York's Central Park was developed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who won a design competition for the park with their "Greensward Plan."  By 1859, thousands of New Yorkers ice skated on lakes designed over former swamp land. A few years later in 1876, the park was officially dedicated,  honoring the country’s centennial.

After John Lennon was murdered, his widow, Yoko Ono, began designing "Strawberry Fields." Fans come to remember, honor his memory and sometimes play a tune.

IT IS A stunning park in city center, visited by rock stars, athletes, popes and school groups. It has many places to reflect -- paths, benches, ponds and bike paths. Visitors enjoy horse drawn carriages, places for games, a fine restaurant and spots for meditation including Yoko Ono’s “Strawberry Fields.” The widow of musician John Lennon designed and dedicated it in 1985. It honors Lennon, one of the famous Beatles and an award winning composer, and was dedicated on what would have been his 45th birthday.

Bicycles are numerous in the park, driven by visitors, food sellers and drivers offering a ride to tourists.

Such a park is unusual in any city, but truly so in this bustling city of nearly eight million. 

We love strolling Central Park, for its natural beauty – stunning in any season. The trees, flowers, interesting paths, even a castle, make it unique.  But the people in the park are the stars – an international mix of tourists and locals, all drawn to the beauty of its 840 acres, stretching between 59^th and 110^th Streets and Fifth and Eighth Avenues.

It is popular to have a ride through the park, on one of the colorful carriages with beautiful horses.

IT HAS THE distinction of being the first American park to be developed using landscape architecture techniques and is beloved by a worldwide fan club. We overheard conversations in 11 languages on our last visit, when we climbed to the top of Belvedere Castle with our Montana friend, Corby Skinner.

Central Park's famous Belvedere Castle was never lived in but is a favorite part of the park for visitors.

The castle is considered a “folly,” an ornamental building with no real purpose except entertainment and amusement. It personifies the park’s purpose -- to entertain, calm and amuse.

 Step into the park in any season and you feel a sense of peace, pride and community.

Friendly squirrel in central Park, one of many inhabitants. He's looking for a handout.

New York travel tip: We recommend cityPASS for savings if you want a wonderful, money saving way to see the city's highlights:

To book or check out cityPASS @citypass

New York's High Line is another attraction, a clever resurrection of an abandoned rail area, "repurposed" and brought to new life with plants, a walkway and sculpture gardens. A must for visitors and beloved by locals.

UP NEXT: While we're in New York, we're featuring its famous High Line, which was created from a derelict railroad line. It offers a beautiful stroll through landscaped gardens and intriguing sculpture. New York's High Line is another attraction, a clever resurrection of an abandoned rail area, brought to new life with plants, a walkway and sculpture.

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