MHC 200: Power of Parks Does Central Park work?

Arthur Tarley  – LAB 2

Part 1:

How did Central Park originally come to exist?

Andrew Jackson Downing’s writing in The Horticulturalist delineated some of the motivations behind the creation of Central Park: the positive impact nature has on knowledge and refinement within a society and improved social life (Gandy 82). Olmstead, as he won the rights to construct Central Park, argued for park for public health reasons and the lives of society and the rural poor (Olmstead 13). These reasons were combined with industrial aspirations of the city and arguments have been made about the nature of the true intentions of the creation of Central Park. Gandy cites the sway of powerful merchants, land speculators and property owners and their economic outlook on the park that had influence on creating the park (Gandy 113).

New York Historical Society; dkv.columbia.edu

How has the perceived purpose of the park changed over time?

Perception about public health and park use has changed over time. The public now recognizes that the Miasmatic Theory does not hold weight and that the clean air of Central Park does not create ways to prevent disease. Olmstead claimed that the park would not be used for recreation, whereas in modern times, the park is used in some capacity for recreation (Olmstead 15). The park was originally planned for use by the urban poor and offer a place to alleviate stress for those living in tenements (Olmstead 13); currently, the park is primarily used by the upper and middle classes, because those are the people with the time for and accessibility to the park.

Part 2:

Choose a particular feature in the park

http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/sheep-meadow.html

How has that feature changed over time?

Sheep Meadow, the fifteen acre green expanse in the south end of Central Park, was originally designed as parade grounds. The City mandated that parade grounds be included in the design of the park to serve as a place for military operations drills. Between 1864 and 1934, Sheep Meadow held a flock of sheep, with a shepherd housed close by for tending. The Meadow was home to big concerts in the 1960’s and 70’s, and a viewing of the moon landing in 1969. Unfortunately, these events were not accompanied by proper maintenance and upkeep, so the lawn was degraded and closed for a time. In 1980, Sheep Meadow was restored by the Central Park Conservancy and has stayed open as a quiet zone in the park since then; the Conservancy has maintained the Meadow since its reopening (centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/sheep-meadow.html).

Google Maps Location

What does that case tell us about the current concept of parks today?

The case of Sheep Meadow displays how some parts of the park transformed from having specialized functions for the City or small groups of individuals, to having broader, less rigid functions. Sheep Meadow, today, is for relaxing, non-organized recreational activities, picnics, etc. Central Park was designed with relaxation and social life in mind, but the transformation of Sheep Meadow illustrates how certain parts of the park have changed from their original intentions and adapted to current desires of the visitors of the park.