Central Park Research Paper

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Pages: 3

Central Park

“[Central Park] is of greatest importance as the first real park made in this country – a democratic development of the highest significance & on the success of which, in my opinion, much of the progress of art & esthetic culture in this country is dependent.” After Olmsted’s journalism job fell through he found a new job supervising the building of a new project in New York City and Central Park became the first park he ever designed. Today, Central Park is the most visited and the most filmed park in the United States.
The Greensward Plan In 1857, the Board of Commissioners announced a public design competition for Central Park and offered a prize of $400 to $2000 for the four best design proposals. The requirements for entry were that it cost no more than $1.5 million, and that it include playgrounds, a parade ground, and an institution of cultural or practical knowledge. Olmsted originally did not plan to enter the competition but Calvert Vaux approached him and asked if he would want to partner up. Vaux believed they would have an advantage because Olmsted knew the lay of the land. There were thirty three total designs in the competition and Olmsted and Vaux entered on the final day. The winning proposal went to number thirty three,
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The park was extended north to 110th Street and they made the reservoirs the central focus of the park. Three miles of winding equestrian paths were added to the main drive and nineteen additional bridges were built. The flower garden at 74th Street, arboretum at 100th Street, and the tower at 105th Street were not built. The Board substituted a pedestrian entrance for a carriage entrance at 59th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue. The parade ground was reduced in size and the playgrounds were moved around. A final modification was the reservation of three areas as “unfinished