Places > United States > New York > New York Park
Central Park
Photo Credit: David Shankbone / Wikipedia
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At 843 acres, it is not the largest urban park in the world, but the sprawling linear park contains many attractions and offers the opportunity to relax or engage in lots of different activities:
Run, bike, or inline skate on Park Drive, a circuit of approximately 6 miles. Many races are held in the park, especially on weekends, including the New York City Marathon. Pay attention to lane assignments - when open to cars cyclists must use the outside of the recreational lane, when closed to cars cyclists must use the vehicle lane. All users must travel in the same direction (clockwise). Pedestrians have the right of way.
Bird Watching: About 230 species of birds can be found in the park, either making their permanent home there or using it as a stop during their migrations. The best place to find warblers and other songbirds in early May are the Ramble (mid-Park from 74th to 79th Streets), the North Woods (mid-Park from 102nd to 106th Streets), and the Great Hill (West 104th Street off Central Park West). In the fall, visit Belvedere Castle (mid-Park at 79th Street) and look for migrating hawks from the upper terraces.
The Central Park Conservancy has Discovery Kit backpacks available to borrow free of charge at Belvedere Castle on an ongoing, year-round basis. Each one contains binoculars, a guidebook, maps and sketching materials. Valid picture identification is required, and an adult must accompany children under 12 years of age. Discovery Kits are available from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm (and must be returned by 4:30 pm) during open days (Tuesday-Sunday or Wednesday-Sunday seasonally). Call 212-772-0210 for more information.
Cross Country Skiing: The best places to ski are Sheep Meadow, the Great Lawn and other large meadows in Central Park. Cross country skiing is allowed only when there is a base of snow of at least six inches deep.
Boating and Kayaking: boats can be rented at the Loeb Boathouse, to be used on the lake.
Many Baseball/softball, soccer and football fields, as well as courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis (asphalt and clay), handball, paddleball, croquet and lawn bowling can be found throughout the park.
Fishing: Catch-and-release fishing at the Harlem Meer is a favorite family and community pastime. Fishing poles are available to borrow at the Charles A. Dana Center, located on the north shore of the Meer. Picture ID required; instruction and bait (corn kernels) are provided with the poles.
The Harlem Meer is a thriving aquatic ecosystem that supports a wide variety of fish, waterfowl, turtles, plants and microorganisms. Some of the fish living in the Meer include largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, carp and chain pickerel.
The catch-and-release fishing program for 2012 runs from April 17 through October 7. Program Hours: Tues-Sat: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (poles must be returned by 4:00 pm), Sun: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (poles must be returned by 2:00 pm)
Rock Climbing: Central Park's glaciated rock outcroppings attract climbers, especially boulderers; Manhattan's bedrock, a glaciated schist, protrudes from the ground frequently and considerably in some parts of Central Park. The two most renowned spots for boulderers are Rat Rock and Cat Rock; others include Dog Rock, Duck Rock, Rock N' Roll Rock, and Beaver Rock, near the south end of the park.
Ice Skating: skating is available at both Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink (the latter is used as an outdoor swimming pool during the summer).
Chess & Checkers: There's nothing quite like a good game of chess or checkers while surrounded by the natural beauty of Central Park. At the Chess & Checkers House, one of five Park visitor centers run by the Central Park Conservancy, players are welcome to borrow pieces from the Conservancy staff or bring their own. Dominos and backgammon are also available. Conservancy staff can even arrange a partner for you to play with.
Other attractions: Central Park Carousel, children's playgrounds, Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park Zoo, and Free performances during the summer by Central Park Summerstage, Public Theater, the New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera.
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Activities (14)
- Bicycling - Road
- Boating
- Climbing - Rock
- Concerts
- Sightseeing
- Running - Road
- Running - Trail
- Relaxing
- In-line Skating
- Ice Skating
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing - Birding
- Wildlife Viewing - General
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