Central Park (English Central Park) in New York is one of the largest and most famous parks in the world. The park is located on the island of Manhattan between 59th and 110th Street and Fifth and Eighth avenues and thus has a rectangular shape. The length of the park – 4 km, width – 800 meters, total area – 3.4 km2. The park is serviced by the Committee for Nature Protection Central Park (English Central Park Conservancy), a private, nonprofit organization that manages the park under a contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation Areas (English Department of Parks and Recreation) of New York City. The project was developed by park architects Frederick Olmstedom (eng. Frederick Law Olmsted) and Calvert Voksom (eng. Calvert Vaux). Latest later founded the great Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Despite the fact that the park looks very natural, almost all the landscapes created by hand. The park has several artificial lakes, a large number of paths, two ice skating rink, corner untouched wilderness and meadows that are used for various sporting events, as well as children’s playgrounds and a zoo. In the park fly migratory birds, and therefore it is very popular among bird lovers. 10-kilometer road surrounding the park, often used runner, cyclists and amateur roller skates, especially on weekends and after 7 pm, when automobile traffic is prohibited. Central Park is often referred to as a green light Manhattan. Between 1820 and 1850 the population of New York City increased by almost 4-fold. While the population rose rapidly, people have been forced to be satisfied with only a few open areas, mainly cemeteries, to relax from the noise and chaotic life in the city. The Government of the State of New York appointed a special commission on the Central Park to oversee its construction, and in 1857 the Commission organized a competition for the design of the landscape. Several influential people have been together design. Architect Mont Oborn (English Mount Auburn), and Green-Wood (English Green-Wood) created a model of idyllic, naturalistic landscapes. The most significant innovations in the design of steel «separate circulating system» for pedestrians, riding and pleasure vehicles. Through commercial traffic was entirely omitted in hidden below ground level roads, the edges of which were covered with thick bushes, so as not to spoil the impression of the countryside. The original plan called for construction of 36 bridges, designed Voksom from the grave, made from local slate or granite, and finishing lace metal, not like each other. The ensemble has a broad symmetrical paths in addition to spruce alleys, culminate in chasovennoy terrace, which overlooks the lake and the woods behind him, was the quintessence of a great design. Between 1860 and 1873 years, the construction of the park severely delayed, and most of the basic ideas had to be revised. At that time, more than 14 000 m3 fertile land was brought from New Jersey, as well as the local land is not suitable for many trees, shrubs and other plants, provided the original plan. When in 1873 the construction of the park was officially completed more than 10 million trucks of material, including land and stone have been dug and removed from the territory. They also have been included more than 4 million trees, shrubs and other plants, representing about 1 500 species. After completion, the park quickly went into decay. One of the main reasons this has become a shameful political machine known as Tammany Hall, at the time the largest political force and New York.
Around the turn of the century the park has undergone several changes. Appeared and came into use cars, bringing with them a lot of pollution. Also, social consciousness of society started to change. Parks have been used not only for walking and picnics in an idyllic setting, but also for sports and other recreational procedures.
By 1975, several groups of lawyers have joined forces to offer new ideas as to equip the park. As a result, in 1980 and formed the Committee for the Protection of Nature.
When the Committee began its work, the founders have decided not to create a new organization with a specially hired workers, which would result in greater costs. Instead, they decided to focus its attention on attracting volunteers for the majority of works, so that the spacecraft would help attract residents of the city to more careful attitude to the park, as well as create the impression that the park is an integral part of New York.
The Committee began to work with the Commissioner in the park, and to commit themselves to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the park, published in 1981 a document entitled «Reconstruction of the Central Park at 80 th and subsequent years». The document was submitted as a master plan for the further development of the park and described the steps to be taken to restore the park former glory.
The document included the three key tasks necessary for future survival. The architectural heritage should be restored – not only the landscape and environment, but also bridges, houses and other buildings that have fallen victim to neglect for 20 years. In addition, the document called for a substantial transfer across the grass and the constant care of every part of the park, as well as creating programs to improve security in the park, especially at night – and thus attract new visitors.
Years later, many buildings have been restored, and many hours spent restoring the park. In 2004 alone, volunteers spent more than 32 000 hours, including rebuilding the playground Heckscher, several luzhaek and stone elevation.