==Does Central Park work? Is Central park successful and effective?==

===The Basis for Success===

During our time in the field, and in the classroom we have discussed ways in which to measure Central Park’s success. We  dove into the many aspects in which to measure the parks effectiveness, and accessibility is our measurement of choice. In order for a park to be successful, it should be able to entice a large variety of people to use it. For a variety of people to want to use Central Park, the park must be easily and equally accessible to people regardless of their socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds.

Some of the questions we approached while attempting to answer the question of Central Park’s success based on accessibility are basic ones. Can a park be accessible to all if some uses conflict with one another such as quiet natural spaces for some, and recreational activities for others? Can a park be big enough to satisfy a diverse range of people, but be designed in such a way that it attracts new users? We attempt to answer if Central Park is successful based on whether or not Central Park is accessible.

===Accessibility===

Before answering the question of the parks success we first have to define what we mean by accessible.  The first step in defining accessibility is the simplest one as we simply take a look in the dictionary.

“Accessible: Adjective: (of an object, service, or facility) Able to be easily obtained or used” ((dictionary.com)).

In the simplest terms, this is what we mean by Central Park being accessible. Before we continue on to build upon the definition of accessibility, we must answer why accessibility matters for Central Park’s success. Accessibility matters because greater accessibility allows for greater equality in the public’s ability to use it. Accessibility of Central Park allows for social equity ((Heath Scheneker. Why Urban Parks: A Matter of Equity? University of California. Dept. of Environmental Design/Landscape architecture)) Fredrick Law Olmstead- Central Park landscape designer- emphasized that nature should not be “a monopoly, in a very, peculiar manner, of the very few, very rich people.” He believed a wide range of people should be able to use the park, and that was the way to assure a successful Central Park.

===Elements of Accessibility===

In order for the park to be accessible it must be easier to use.  William H. Whyte describes in his video “Social Life of Small Urban Places ” the elements the park must possess in order to be accessed by society.

• One of the elements necessary is a variety of seating options. Are there places to sit? This seems like a small maybe insignificant question at first, but with more inspection it is obvious that without a variety of seating options that are convenient less people would access the park. A variety of seating is in fact an important aspect/ element necessary for the park to be easily used.
• Is the park open for sedentary use or is it simply for strolling through? This must be taken into account because if the park is not for strolling through then those who have to get someplace will not enter the park.
• The park must respond to the needs of a diverse range of users. Is the park for people who are active; is it for students, or for the neighborhood? We ask these questions to see if Central Park fulfills this element of responding.
• Is there access to activities for a broad range of age and socioeconomic groups? Asking if there are things available for use, or activity for people of all age, and class in the park tells us how easy the park is to be used.
• Can people who don’t live directly around the park access it? This relates to who can use the park.
• Are there psycho-geographical features that allow the park to be more easily used? How do the trains, and imageability affect Central Park’s accessibility?
• “Increasing Activity within Park” If there is more activity and more people active in the park will this promote accessibility, will people want to use the park.
• A simple way to judge whether or not the park is accessible is to see if people are actually accessing the park. This is necessary in order for a park to be accessible.
• Are there parts of the park open to a variety of activities? Again- is there a range of activities for a range of users?

==Fredrick Law Olmstead==

===Olmstead’s Design===

Olmsted’s vision for a successful park is embedded in Central Park’s design.

His goal was to make the experience of nature available to ordinary, working people living in modern, industrial cities. Central Park, he considered, would be “a democratic institution by virtue of the mixing of classes within its boundaries.” ((Blackmar, Elizabeth. Rosenzweig, Roy. “The Park and The People: A History of Central Park”. Ithaca.New York. Cornell; 1992)) Olmstead believed that the park would be successful if it were designed in such a way that was accessible to a wide range of users.

             The Greensward Plan, The title of the park’s design plan, assumed what individuals from all social backgrounds would do there- admire the artistically composed scenery, enjoy the spectacle of the crowd on the promenade, and engage in the wholesome exercise of driving, riding, walking, skating, and competitive sports. These actions are from activities that fall within active, and passive use of the park. This availability of activities causes usage, which shows that people are accessing the park.

==The Central Park Conservancy==

===What is the Conservancy?===

Just as an admission fee could deter those of lower incomes, the diversity of activities allowed in the park can motivate or discourage some users into visiting and interacting with the park. The Central Park Conservancy is a private non-for profit organization founded in 1980. Although much of the policy-making is in the realm of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Central Park would not be the way it is today without the work of the Central Park Conservancy (or simply, the Conservancy). The Conservancy is crucial to the preservation of Central Park’s historical legacy, as well as its current and future maintenance and restoration, for it employs 90 percent of the operations staff that provides year-round labor to the Park and is the official manager of the Park. In addition, the Conservancy is responsible for the procuring up to 85 percent of the Park’s annual budget – $42.4 million – through extensive fundraising and investments. They are responsible for the park’s rules, regulations, law enforcement, management, activities, events, and in some cases the biodiversity of the park ((CentralParkNYC.org)).

===Why is the Central Park Conservancy important?===

The significance of the Conservancy can be best demonstrated by its absence. Up until the 1980’s, Central Park was filthy, a place for the homeless, and a common scene for crime and drug use. Just as one would not be thrilled to live in New York City at that time, people were not thrilled about visiting a crime-ridden park. As a result, because of a select few philanthropists, namely William Sperry Beinecke and Elizabeth Barlow Rogers – founding president of the Central Park Conservancy – a resolute collective was formed. Consequently, it could be said that the City’s troubled state spurred the Conservancy’s creation. The Conservancy today works daily to clean up the park, maintain security and remove graffiti. The park’s regulations and rules are for the purpose of guaranteeing everyone’s satisfaction by allowing diverse activities within different sections of the park. The many duties of the conservancy allow for greater accessibility to all, by creating safety, cleanliness, and an atmosphere that all can enjoy.

==Social Use of the Park==

===Field lab===

The number one way to determine whether or not the park is accessible is to observe whether of not there are people accessing it. So a group of us (Samantha Rodriguez, Samantha Riddell, Michael Sideris, Guillermo Rodriquez, and I) went out and observed the way in which the park was being used, and who was using it. Although it is a small sample within a 2-3 hour observation our findings are similar to statistics based on constant observations. Through our observations and data collected we were able to see how the park was being used even on a cold rainy Wednesday morning. The variety of social usage in Central park tells us something about how easy it is to be used for different people. Being able to observe many different activities that people are involved in tells us who the park is accessible to, and if it is accessible overall.

===Who we saw===

•Parents and nannies walking with young children in strollers around the park

•Joggers

•Older people, sitting, chatting, people watching, or reading

•Business men walking through the park

•Tourists, bike riders (rented or not)

•Children from school playing soccer

•Students filming

•Man playing a harp

Through this small sample you can still see the wide range of the people engaging with the park.

==Counter Argument: Can Central Park’s Size Negatively Affect Its Accessibility?==

===Trick of Perception===

Owen states that people tend to choose the route with more pedestrian traffic. People choose not to walk or hang around through more open/ empty space, such as Central Park’s large terrain. Walking where there is more traffic makes the distance of the walk seem smaller. This is why some people may decide not to walk through the park (even if it means walking less) since there is less pedestrian traffic. This “trick of perception” is described as the reason for Central Park acting as a barrier to some. It is because of the parks large size there is less population density that Central Park acts as a barrier. ((Owen, David. Green Metropolis: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less Are Keys to Sustainability. New York: Riverhead, 2009. Print.))

===We conclude: No it cannot===

Psychologically speaking, Central Park’s size will act as a barrier to some individuals. However, Central Park acting as a mental barrier does not diminish its overall accessibility to the general public. We can say this because not only did we still observe activities such as running, and reading found in regions of the park with high traffic passing through, but also we saw paths, roads and walkways still being used for such activities. Through this observation it is clear that the pathways are still being used along with other areas of the park. With this we came to a conclusion that Central park does not act as a barrier for those attempting to use it! If you are walking to work in a rush than you might not want to walk through the park, but if you were attempting to use the park then it is still accessible. Its design is not a hindrance to its accessibility.

==Imageability==

“The quality in a physical object which gives it a high probability of evoking a strong image in any give observer”  -Kevin Lynch

===Five Elements of Imageability===

There are five physical elements that influence a locations imagebility to its users. Imageability is the way in which people mentally view a place. The five elements are:

1.Paths: Routes in which the user can move throughout the location. Examples include streets, walkways and transit lines.

2.Edges: Boundaries that set distinctions between to regions of the location. Examples include walls and shore lines.

3.Districts: Sections within a location that share common characteristics. Districts are perceived to be an area that a user can enter.

4.Nodes: Hubs that users pass through to enter into the location.  Examples include Junctions and subway entrances.

5.Landmarks: Objects that provide visual point-reference to the user. Examples include signs, buildings and public art works.

((“William H. Whyte – Social Life of Small Urban Places on Vimeo.” Vimeo.com. Vimeo, Video Sharing For You. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. http://vimeo.com/21556697))

===Central Park Examples of Imageability===

Central Park includes various examples of all 5 elements of Lynch’s Imageable location. This supports the idea that Central Park is accessible due to the fact that Central Park is imageable based on the five elements.  Here are some examples:

Paths:  Central Park includes a number of routes to get around including the drives, bridle paths, hiking trails, and paved pathways.

Edges: The Park itself is within four edges that distinguish it from the rest of Manhattan.  The four edges are Central Park West, 5^th avenue, 59th street and Central Park North.

Districts: Some well-known districts of the park are The Great Lawn, the Ramble, Strawberry Fields, and the Mall.

Nodes: Every entrance to Central Park can be considered a node.  There are 17/ 18 entrances in all.

Landmarks: The Park is filled with public art landmarks such as Alice in Wonderland, Balto, Cleopatra’s Needle as well as a number of fountains.

===Subway Nodes===

Not all nodes that lend accessibility to Central Park are actually within the park. The Subway entrances surrounding Central Park are important nodes as well. They include:

•N, R Trains: Located at 59th street

•2, 3 Trains: Located at Central Park North/110th Street

•B, C Trains: Located at 110th street, 103rd street, 96th street, 86th street, 81st street, and 72nd street

•A, B, C, D, and 1 Trains: Located at 59th street/Columbus Circle

The many trains, allow people from all over the city to get to the park. The paths allow easier entrance, and usage. Imageability impacts the way people perceive the park, and can access the park. Because Central Park contains all of the elements of imageability, it is therefore accessible.

==In Conclusion==

All of these elements together lead to the conclusion that Central Park is accessible, and thus works and succeeds as an urban park. In order for Central Park to be successful we agreed that Central park had to be easily accessible to a wide range of users. High visitation use reflects the Parks success to be easily accessed which is shown in the images, and charts below. The high visitation-25 million visitors to Central Park yearly, also reflects easy accessibility. Central Park works.