An Oasis (Central Park in general)

Member Name: Zenith

Product:	Central Park in general
Date:	24/07/00 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's like a theme park - there is so much to do

Disadvantages: And so little time to fit it all in.

A quick glance at a map of Manhattan should explain exactly why this park is so named. In a city where real estate prices are like telephone numbers the fact that 843 acres are given over to a park has to be admired. Although to call this place just a park is to do it a terrible disservice. Central Park has evolved from just a nice green area into a series of playgrounds, baseball fields, chess tables, skating rinks and much more.

The first thing that surprised me was that there are roads that run through the park. I just didn’t expect it although apparently cars are banned at the weekend. If you really want to enjoy the park I suggest that you set aside an entire day to get the best out of it. We originally intended to visit Strawberry Fields, the area created in memory of John Lennon, but we found ourselves distracted by the softball games being played. When we stopped the time just seemed to drift away as people watching took hold of us. There are some fascination sights in Central Park – millions of joggers and cyclists of all shapes and sizes, mounted police patrolling, roller bladers ending up on their backsides and families sitting having picnics. You would almost forget that you are in New York altogether.

Anyway we moved on eventually and strolled over the Bow Bridge. This is a great spot to see the park. It was tremendous – it’s an oasis. If you have kids (or are a big kid like me) you must visit the Alice in Wonderland statue which is nearer 5th Avenue. That’s a great spot for a picture as is the Hans Christian Andersen statue. Apparently there is a regular storytelling session here but we unfortunately missed it.

At this point I should point out that if I were to go again I would make my first stop the Dairy. We didn’t know about this but apparently maps and details of upcoming events can be found here. It’s very frustrating to find out that you have just missed out on a performance or
an event because you didn’t know about it. We found it at the end of our wandering as we headed towards the Zoo. Kids will love this area – monkeys and polar bears and on the half-hour there is a clock that plays nursery rhymes.

Don’t think this is just trees and shrubs – it’s an outstanding example that New York can appeal to kids as well as adults. Make a day of it and take a picnic. You won’t be disappointed.

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