Central Park Conservancy Garden

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

It is almost a year since I began this blog. I am celebrating where I began a year ago, Central Park, the center of the universe. I set out to loop the entire park but was too easily distracted by the flowers, people and vistas along the way to take it all in during one day. And of course let’s not forget the incredibly hot, humid weather!

I began at the Central Park Conservancy Garden. Central Park is swimming with hidden treasures like this and I am sure that most people do not know this one exists. Located far up on 105th Street on the Upper East Side of the Park, the conservancy is free and open all year round to enjoy its perfect parterre gardens and cool tree canopies. A great golden gate greats you at the main entrance framing a magnificent view of a well manicured lawn anchored with a stone balcony overlook. The curving paths loop round and round circling sunflowers, boxwoods, rose bushes and whimsical fountains. It would be the ideal setting for a fabulous party with refreshing cocktails and a string quartet.

On the north end of the park I found a great fishing pond with several anglers trying their luck. The heat was overwhelming me so I took a break in the shade on one of the many boulders perfectly positioned throughout the park. Soon I was accompanied by a lovely city mouse/rat. (One of the joys of living in a city! Yikes!)

My favorite vista was looking east out over the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir on a small trail reserved for walkers and runners. It is stunning to see the water, trees and gorgeous buildings of the upper east side meet.

I ended the tour with Columbus Circle, at the southwest corner. A must for lovers of people watching as the ruthless salesmen try to hit up every passing person. The water display from the Columbus fountain serves as a fabulous convergence of city and park.

Central Park was America’s first urban park and set off an ardor of park planning across the country. Now visited by 35 million people per year, it was one of the best decisions in New York’s history.