(Central Park reservoir)
My first view as I cross the road and enter the park is of the reservoir - the first of many pieces of water in the Park and as I stand to take pictures, I’m passed by a jogger - there are also a lot of them in the Park!
(A Castle? In Central Park?)
Walking further along, I see in the distance a castle - yea - I thought that was odd too!!! Actually this is the “Belvedere Tower”, a lookout tower built in the late 1800’s, but now a meteorological observatory, and tourist attraction. The sighting of the tower shows a lot about the island of Manhattan's foundations - the hard bedrock which juts out from the land, and give the island its distinctive geology. Here there is a natural high spot, and the “castle” is built on the top. As I get nearer, I see that there is even a “moat”! Well, in reality, a small area of water called “Turtle Pond”. The sign here says it’s a quiet zone, March to November, 11am to dusk. So, am I to assume that it gets louder after dark? I’m not brave/foolish enough to want to come back in the dark to find out!
(Belvedere Tower)
From the top of the tower you get more neat views over the park - for such an overbuilt city, this part of the island give us space to breath. It’s also a place where it’s nice to bring kids, so my quiet time does not last long!
(Across the park)
From here I walk on further down the park, past a building called the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and along tree-lined walkways full of joggers. It’s early spring, and some trees are still just bare branches, with others in full blossom. This and the water that is everywhere gives the immediate area a feel of real countryside, but you only have to lift your eyes to see the buildings that surround the Park. As you walk there are constant surprises - round each corner there is a different view, and it makes the place have a unique feel - somewhere between crowded in by the buildings, and having open space and air.
(Spring is sprung)
As well as this wilder side of the park, there are also a lot of formal areas, and as I walk around a lake I come to a formal fountain with sweeping steps leading up to a Terrace - another 19th century piece of ornamentation that the modern New Yorkers take full advantage of. Around here are also a lot of sculptures and then there is sign I just have to follow - Strawberry Fields! This is a memorial to John Lennon - a circle in the ground with “Imagine” shown in the centre, and red and yellow roses arranged around it. People were coming to look and write on the books left there for that purpose, And this is what one said; “JOHN - always said flower power didn’t work START AGAIN!”. Hmmmmmm
(Strawberry Fields)
From here on the west of the park I walk over to the east side, and round another, smaller boating lake, and some more whimsical statuary - a larger-than-life statue of Alice-in-Wonderland, sitting on a huge mushroom, playing with her cat, while the Hatter and the March Hare close by - and any number of real children amusing themselves by climbing all over it! Also here is a bronze of Hans Christian Andersen - and I like this one as he is sitting reading, with a bronze duck looking up quizzically at him!
(Hans Christian Andersen - and duck!)
As we are now over on the east side of the park, we are next to the really expensive apartments, with views of the park. Not to miss any opportunity to make a buck - there are also telescopes set up so that we can look into the expensive apartments! I forgo that experience, but find it interesting that it’s just there and accepted.
(Looking for the stars)
I’ve mentioned the joggers, but on the roads there are also people on bikes, and as I am about to cross over to the Rumsey Playfields, I’m passed by someone on a unicycle - now that is not something you see that much in many other cities! There are a few people playing ball, but mostly the area is not used too much this midweek daytime. I am impressed, though, by what is called the Summer Stage - but looks to all the world like a flying saucer just about to land! Just below this is an area of bark covered ground with small plaques in between the trees. I then see the main sign for this area - it is a memorial “To our valiant brothers who died in the service of our country in World War 1. Knights of Pythias - State of New York”
(A flying saucer?)
The feel of the park changes again as I carry on along a paved, tree lined avenue to another building, and as I approach, I hear what sounds like fair-ground music being played. Now, who would have thought that? It’s a carousel!
(Central Park carousel)
I’m nearing the other end of the park now, and here there is a playground and more of the open rock formations, with people sitting on top of them - now that must be uncomfortable!
I’ve been walking for a long time, and by now I’m really foot weary, so I find a place to buy a cup of coffee, and sit, watch people come and go for a while, and think about the Central Park that I’ve just experienced.
(A formal park)
City parks are all different, but Central Park is lots of different parks all in one, with formal, “wild” and fun areas. There is a lot of open space and water and wild-life, but never do we get to forget we’re in a busy city - even on this mid week early spring day there are a lot of people around. And everywhere you go the New York sky line is a constant companion. I’ve walked the length of the park, but I still feel that there is more to see and do here. But for now I’m walked out, and will just enjoy the sun on my face and the coffee in front of me.
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