| In the center of New York City's exciting | | | | and the Belvedere Castle. The annual festival |
| buzz, Central Park is a quiet island, | | | | draws thousands to the open-air theater in |
| comprised of an area of natural woods, ponds, | | | | the heart of the park. One of the park's |
| lakes, wildlife, and stretching 843 acres | | | | most popular attractions, the Carousel has |
| through Manhattan. The park's many | | | | been a fixture since 1871. The current |
| appearances in movies and television have | | | | carousel was discovered abandoned in an old |
| made it among the most visited and famous | | | | trolley terminal on Coney Island. One of the |
| city parks in the world. Whether seeking a | | | | country's largest merry-go-rounds, it |
| quiet spot to reflect or participate in one | | | | features 58 hand-carved horses and two ornate |
| of the park's many activities, student group | | | | chariots. Almost 250,000 visitors ride it |
| travelers will want to tour Central Park on | | | | annually. The park's rich historical |
| their next visit to New York City. Though | | | | connections can be discovered around nearly |
| much of the park looks natural, it has in | | | | every corner. On the east side of the park is |
| fact been almost entirely landscaped, making | | | | The Obelisk, or Cleopatra's Needle, the |
| it the first landscaped public park in the | | | | oldest public monument in North America. At |
| United States. Its construction was begun in | | | | the northern end of the park is the |
| 1857 by landscape designer Frederick Law | | | | Blockhouse, a fort from the War of 1812. In |
| Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux. The park | | | | addition, the Great Lawn has been the site of |
| has been a National Historic Landmark since | | | | famous events and performers. Pope John Paul |
| 1963. In addition to its woodsy environment, | | | | II held mass on the lawn in 1995 and musical |
| Central Park features a zoo, Conservatory | | | | artists like Paul Simon, Elton John, and |
| Garden, a wildlife sanctuary, outdoor | | | | Bruce Springsteen have performed for |
| amphitheater, and extensive walking tracks. | | | | thousands of admiring fans. Dedicated in the |
| The park is also an oasis for migrating | | | | memory of the famous Beatle, John Lennon, |
| birds, making it popular with bird watchers. | | | | Strawberry Fields was created after he was |
| At the Central Park Zoo, just a few yards | | | | fatally shot in 1980. The tear-shaped knoll, |
| from 5th Avenue, 130 different species of | | | | located on the west side of the park, was |
| animals are housed. A walk through the zoo's | | | | named after one of the Beatles' best-known |
| five-plus acres takes students through a | | | | songs, Strawberry Fields Forever. The |
| variety of habitats that have been designed | | | | memorial was opened in 1985 on Lennon's |
| to recreate the natural environment of the | | | | birthday. At the western apex of the garden, |
| animals. In the Polar Zone, students can | | | | artisans have crafted a circular black and |
| visit with two of the zoo's most popular | | | | white mosaic emblem into the pavement, |
| guests - polar bears Ida and Gus. A brilliant | | | | containing a starburst pattern and the word, |
| collection of tropical birds can be found in | | | | "Imagine," the title of one of Lennon's most |
| the Tropic Zone, as well as squirmy lizards | | | | famous songs. The garden continues to be a |
| and toads. Monkeys and Tamarins represent the | | | | pilgrimage site for students visiting New |
| primates of the tropics. California sea | | | | York City. Travel Adventures is a student |
| lions, pandas, otters, and swan geese are | | | | tour provider staffed by educators who |
| housed in the Temperate Territory. A | | | | understand the needs of teachers. It has |
| secluded oasis, the Conservatory Garden | | | | served over one half million students since |
| offers a fragrant respite from the hectic | | | | 1987 and its mission is to "empower teachers |
| city. Students will find a myriad of plant | | | | to create change by expanding the classroom |
| life, from cultivated heirloom roses to | | | | to the world." To discover more about Travel |
| Korean holly. The garden is divided into | | | | Adventures and its many educational programs, |
| three sections: the North, or French Garden; | | | | visit adventures Travel Adventures is a |
| the Central, or Italian Garden; and the | | | | student tour provider staffed by educators |
| South, or English Garden. The summer home of | | | | who understand the needs of teachers. It has |
| the annual Shakespeare in the Park production | | | | served over one half million students since |
| is held at Delacorte Theater. During | | | | 1987 and its mission is to "empower teachers |
| performances, audiences are treated to views | | | | to create change by expanding the classroom |
| of the lovely landscape that forms the | | | | to the world. |
| backdrop to the stage, including Turtle Pond | | | | |