Central Park: One Park with Lots of Stories to Tell (V)

Let's take a virtual tour of Central Park! Considered by some to be “America’s first theme park” – with the theme being nature! – New York City’s Central Park is 843 acres of paradise amid towering skyscrapers and big city bustle. It’s easy to forget that the Central Park of today was a marshy mess and that it is an entirely man-made and engineered creation. Its vast lawns, gardens, lakes, ponds, waterfalls and woodlands were all very deliberately designed to look as though entirely natural. In this video, we explore the multi-faceted sides of this gem, which is so much more than a park - it's one with many surprising tales to tell! From its early beginnings as a marshy wasteland to its lush lawns, stunning structures, sculptures and iconic memorials, Central Park has evolved into a playground of sorts for all. We’ll stop by the Imagine mosaic, a tribute to John Lennon; Alice in Wonderland sculpture; century-old carousel; a Victorian-style “folly” and learn about the convoluted history of this pastoral marvel in the middle of the Big Apple.

Coming next month: Frederick Law Olmstead: Parks for All, Wed., April 13 at 11 a.m.

Watch the video below at the time of the program, or any time after.