Most don’t realize, until you walk it, that Central Park is around 843 acres. 

It’s estimated that 25 million (with a m) visitors come to visit the park each year.

A Bridge In Central Park - New York City

It’s been stated that the park opened in 1859 and was completed in 1873, but every time I go it always seems like a work in progress.

Designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux, it contains various things for everyone to see.

Central Park is large enough to have several natural-looking lakes and ponds, extensive walking tracks, two ice-skating rinks, Central Park Zoo and The Central Park Conservatory Garden.

There’s also a large area of natural woods, a reservoir with an encircling running track and the outdoor Delacorte Theater which hosts the “Shakespeare in the Park” summer festivals.

Much to most peoples surprise is the park is operated primarily by gifts from private sources.  Approximately 85% to be exact.  The Central Park Conservancy manages the park pursuant to a contract with New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

Central Park is in the Borough of Manhattan.  It is the most visited park in the United States.

An interesting fact about the value of Central Park was estimated to be $528,783,552,000 in December of 2005.  Heck, at those prices why don’t they just say 530 billion.

My suggestion if you are going to travel to the area make sure you have plenty of water and be in descent shape if you plan on making the entire walk.  Bathrooms are not every hundred yards so I would go before you go if you know what I mean.

Take lots of pictures.  They will be priceless when you get home and you get to see them over and over.  You might see something that you would never believe in a city this large.

I would say figure 4 to 6 hours on an average day to see most of the park.  That’s going at a pretty good pace as well.  You could easily go one day for half the day and then other other day for half the day.

Just go and soak in the beauty.  Its truly a wonderful place to relax and be amazed.