Was Central Park built over a town?

Before Central Park was built, the area from West 82nd to West 89th Street was home to Seneca Village, the largest community of African-American property owners in New York.



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Seneca Village From the 17th century, the strip of west side land—from what would have been Seventh to Eighth Avenue—was first owned by Dutch investors and continuously bought and sold by private citizens until the City finally purchased the land for Central Park. It remained sparsely populated until the 19th century.

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Constructed in 1814, decades before the Park was even an idea, the Blockhouse is the oldest surviving building in Central Park. Located on a prominent rock outcrop in the North Woods, the stone structure was part of a fortification system built to defend New York from the British during the War of 1812.

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Forest Park, officially opened to the public on June 24, 1876, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At around 1,300 acres it is bigger than Central Park in New York.

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East Meadow Stake out a shady spot in this pastoral meadow that contains some of the finest trees in the Park, including an American elm that is believed to be one of the original Park plantings. A restroom is also near the East Meadow at the entrance to neighboring Robert Bendheim Playground.

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One of the most iconic features in Central Park, this miniature castle is located atop the huge rock outcrop known as Vista Rock, the second highest natural point in Central Park. Your donations, membership, volunteering, and stewardship of the Park keep it a vital public treasure.

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Cool Facts about Central Park
  • Anyone Can Adopt a Park Bench.
  • Central Park Is One of the City's Most Popular Destinations. ...
  • Central Park Was – and Remains – an Expensive Part of City Life. ...
  • The Entire Park Was Built by Hand. ...
  • Frederick Law Olmstead Designed Central Park. ...
  • New York City Purchased the Park Land in 1853. ...


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