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Central Park

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Central Park

Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States. Creating the park was intended for wealthy merchants and landowners. Just like the public grounds of London and Paris, it urged that New York needed a comparable facility to establish its international reputation. “In 1853 the state legislature authorized the City of New York to use the power of eminent domain to acquire more than 700 acres of land in the center of Manhattan.”1 During the nineteenth century the construction of Central Park was one of the most massive public works with over 20,000 workers on site. Through the years it has gone over countless facelifts and popularity the remarkable landmark has some breathtaking monuments and historic places in New York City. In Central Park there are plenty to see and do. “You'll come across historical buildings, statues, monuments, beautiful bridges, and of course plenty of nature.”2 Central Park Zoo,has exhibits divided into several regions such as a tropic zone and polar circle. Some of its popular attractions there include polar bears, snow leopards, red pandas and penguins. Just north of the Central Park Zoo is the Tisch Children's Zoo, where small children can see and touch domestic animals. Dairy, Victorian style cottage created in 1870. The picturesque building houses a Visitor Center where you can get maps, guides, gifts, and information on events that are planned in Central Park. There are a few Gardens called Shakespeare and Conservatory. Shakespeare garden was created in 1913 as the Garden of the Heart. “Three years later, on the 300th anniversary of the Shakespeare's death, it was dedicated to the famous play writer. The garden contains plants that were mentioned in Shakespeare's plays”. Conservatory garden was created in 1910 by the German sculptor Walter Schott. Wollman Rink was built in 1949 when Kate Wollman donated $600,000 for its construction. In the early 1990′s, it was purchased and is now run by Donald Trump. The most important monument in Central Park is Cleopatra's Needle, an authentic egyptian obelisk, located east of the Great Lawn. The 20 meter tall granite obelisk was originally erected at heliopolis and later moved to Alexandria. In the mid 19th century it was donated to the US as a gift from Egypt. Strawberry Fields is a memorial, It was created in honor of John Lennon, who was shot dead in front of the dakota apartments where he lived. “The tear-shaped garden was dedicated in 1985 as a garden of peace.”3 Belvedere Castle is the highest point in the park. The castle was created in 1869 as a lookout tower after a design by Calvert Vaux. The tower overlooks Turtle Pond, named for the many turtles that live here.

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