New York Central Park

If you look at a map of New York, in the heart, in Manhattan, will clearly stand out perfectly flat rectangle - Central Park . Around the most expensive real estate , 5 Avenue Home Shop Apple, where each time to remove the huge queues, boutiques of famous fashion houses. Overall, the place is good. How is it that a huge piece of land was given to the park ? 

Fast forward to the New York of the 19th century. Manhattan is actively built, including high-rise buildings, but one area in sharp contrast with the surrounding mansions of the rich. It was not suitable for the construction of the wetland and rocky soil, constant level difference, sometimes comes to the surface rocks . Therefore, in place of the current Central Park lived poor - Irish farmers swineherd Germans, grow vegetables for sale, negros - only about 1,600 people . Today will tell you how instead of gardens in the center of the city appeared one of the most famous and most visited parks in the world.

It so happened that the active development of New York coincided with the moment when Europe and America asks for public parks for the general public and not for a limited circle of aristocrats and their friends. In addition, if at least in Paris Boulogne was a forest , and in London - Hyde Park, in New York was almost nowhere to walk, even the rich. The American Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux Englishman developed a draft of the park, who won the competition . They wanted to create a park in the English style romantic pastorals, which is quite consistent with the tastes of the time. Green lawns and "wild garden" Rambla combined with straight avenues and fountains with cupids.

Plan of Central Park, 1870

The large space of the park was to create the illusion of walking in, he found himself in nature, but in its "soft", ennobled version - uncontrolled rampage of this element of Olmsted and Vaux found intimidating. The park people often engaged in sports, outdoor games, but his unit also leaves room for contemplative pastime, enjoying the scenery. In general, it is a small rural idyll in contrast with the surrounding mansions. The architects of the park were set democratically and hoped that here after a day of rest will be working factories and institutions, but at first Central Park has become an alternative to secular interiors.

Half of the visitors came in carriages, which were available for only 5% of the inhabitants of the city . Since the quality of the tracks was much higher than that covering the streets, the rich staged there racing on the coach. They happen every day in the park. The other half of the visitors was the middle class : they came to the musical concerts on Saturdays, attending opens winter ice rink . Sami rules restrict Central Park people: for example, there were forbidden to organize group outings, so the Irish and German workers who could not afford to go after a walk in a restaurant or buy a ready meal on the spot, prefer to relax at home . The boys were not allowed to play in the park, if they did not have a note from the director of the school. Gradually, the rules softened: in 1880 the workers have achieved that concerts were held also in their only day off - Sunday. List of entertainment expanded: there carousel, zoo , was allowed to ride bicycles.

Games Playground for boys, 1904 year

Snaring and other conceptual changes . In the early 20th century in America every year a huge number of immigrants coming (from several hundred thousand to over a million). Authorities in New York planned using parks change the face of the city and solve problems caused by increased immigration. These hopes are connected with the concept of America as a melting pot, getting to that, the former Europeans are changing and becoming new Americans. Do masterminds park reform was a dream to create a public space where everyone - especially children - could gather together to speak in one (English, of course) language, communicate and "learn to understand what it means - to live in America." In general, gain cultural identity, to become one society. Architectural innovation of this period was a small sports arena, an indoor hall , an analogue of the club for gentlemen. These arenas were placed in the center of the district of tiny squares, available including the poorest residents. Of course, changes were made ​​and Central Park. Main idea - to make the park more functional to people spent there more time and communicate with each other. August Heckscher, American entrepreneur and philanthropist, sponsored the construction of a large playground for children - it exists today.

Sledging, 1924

Proponents of active recreation and reforms proposed to drain the tank Croton and in its place to make a pool , playground and sports field . Conservatives aristocrats, on the contrary, wanted to create a strict area in a classic style and a promenade that connects the two museums. Such a debate on how should look a public park , being up to now.

View of skyscrapers from Fifth Avenue Park, 1933

In 1930 -1960 prevailed rather utilitarian position. Robert Moses, engaged in urban planning and landscaping of New York at this time , he worked in two directions:

• To make as many park.
• To equip them with the largest possible number of sports and leisure facilities, to get the most benefit. He believed that parks should first and foremost to help the state to fulfill part of its functions. Trees and greenery, ornaments attention almost not been paid.

The Great Depression: in the park, so called "Guvervill" camp ruined because of the crisis. 1932

In 1960 the reins chase usefully weakened. Approach to the organization of space has become more creative and free, was a popular idea that we can take any element - street, roof houses , abandoned railroad tracks - and elevate it, make a place for recreation, to include in the urban environment. Parks followed global changes in society: they have started rock -kontserty, happenings, protest demonstrations. Central Park has become a symbol of the counterculture.

Recumbent demonstration against the war in Vietnam, 1969

Robert Indiana poses in his sculptures , exhibited in the park. 1971

In the future development of the park was going towards the creation of zones for different types of activity. For active sports - skating rinks, playgrounds, bike paths. For contemplation - ponds, gardens , decorated in different styles, lawns, fountains, picturesque bridges. For children - playgrounds, a carousel view. In Central Park come running, watch the wild birds, squirrels and animals in a zoo, to celebrate a wedding, listen to concerts, watch movies , play with the kids, just lie on the grass.

In summer.

In winter.

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