What We’re Reading

Articles

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Dr. Carolyn Finney on the Great Outdoors, Environmental Racism, and Finding Joy Through Storytelling

  As our country continues to reckon with the historical and modern-day implications of systemic racism, Dr. Finney asks her readers to consider how public spaces are affected, too. Parks like Central Park provide a sense of community and benefit our physical and mental health, but they aren’t experienced or accessed equally.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  New Yorkers on the Significance of Seneca Village

  We asked several New Yorkers—some of whom have been involved in the work to research and share Seneca Village’s stories—what this place and history means to them.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  A Need for Trees: How Central Park Cools the (Urban Heat) Island of Manhattan

  When the island of Manhattan faces an extreme “urban heat island” effect, Central Park’s 18,000 trees and 843 acres of paths, lawns, and woodlands offer a much-needed reprieve.

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  Town and Country

  Central Park Has Always Been Beloved by New Yorkers. Now, It's a Sanctuary.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic

  Anthony McGill, a world-renowned classical musician, has performed in Central Park multiple times as part of the Philharmonic’s outdoor concert series.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Before Central Park: Native Americans, European Settlers, Immigrant Communities, and Seneca Village

  This slice of Manhattan is unique in both its terrain and history. Native Americans, European settlers, immigrant communities, and Seneca Village residents all traversed here before the creation of Central Park. Here are a few of their stories.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Journalist Anthony Mason

  CBS This Morning co-host and Central Park regular Anthony Mason averages four miles a day, mostly spent meandering the hidden paths and trails.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  How Public Health Influenced the Creation, Purpose, and Design of Central Park

  The COVID pandemic spurred newfound appreciation for New York City’s parks and the myriad ways they can benefit our health, both mental and physical.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Cal Jones, Manhattan Borough Historian Emeritus

  Celedonia (Cal) Jones, born and raised in central Harlem, talks about his childhood in NYC and how he became involved in telling Seneca Village’s many stories.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Stefan Al, Architect, Urban Designer, and Educator

  With summer officially here, we spoke with architect and urban designer Stefan Al, PhD, about how Central Park’s biodiversity will keep us healthy this season.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  How to Engage with the History of Seneca Village

  The current movement for racial justice—which includes elevating Black history, culture, and stories—has sparked a renewed interest in Seneca Village, a community of predominantly African-Americans that existed before the creation of Central Park.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Mary Wittenberg, 10-Year Race Director of the TCS NYC Marathon

  Mary Wittenberg, former President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners, shares her favorite running routes in the Park, NYC Marathon memories, and more.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Staying Connected to Central Park through History

  Discover recommendations from our historian—from books to documentaries—on deepening your insight into the Park.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  5 Questions with Phil Rosenthal, TV Writer and Producer

  Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal shares his fondest memories of the Park, his idea of a perfect picnic there, and what he’ll do when NYC opens up after pandemic closures.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Artifacts and Archives: The Rediscovery and Research of Seneca Village

  Learn about the historical research of this community of predominantly African-Americans, many of whom owned property.

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  Exclusive to #myCentralPark

  Janet Ruttenberg Captures Central Park

  Janet Ruttenberg, renowned plein air artist, paints the people and colors of Central Park on canvasses as expansive as the Park that inspires her.

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  Patch

  SEE: Photo Series Celebrates Central Park As Refuge Amid Pandemic

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  See Central Park in the Age of Social Distancing

  This is a spring like no other, which photographer Elliot Stern captures in these Park photos from recent weeks.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  ‘A Sense of Enlarged Freedom’: Central Park as Sanctuary

  For many New Yorkers right now, Central Park and the City’s other open spaces are more valuable and meaningful than ever.
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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  How to Explore Central Park from Home

  During these uncertain times for New Yorkers, Central Park can still provide comfort and solace from a distance.
  

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  Yahoo News

  Central Park, the Calm Amid New York's Coronavirus Storm

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  The New York Daily News

  Parks are Cathedrals, Especially Now: Appreciating Public Spaces During a Pandemic

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  City Limits

  Opinion: Don’t Puncture the City’s Lungs By Cutting Park Funds

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  6sqft

  7 Things You Didn’t Know About Central Park

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  AM NY

  Central Park Conservancy Invites New Yorkers to Share Their #myCentralPark Story

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  The New Yorker

  The Coronavirus Crisis Reveals New York at Its Best and Worst

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  The New York Times

  ‘It Sort of Gives You Hope’: One Place New Yorkers Go to Escape Their Homes

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Central Park in Black and White: Classic Films for a Cozy Night

  Here are a few mid-20th-century films, all shot in black and white, to watch on a cozy night in—each of which features Central Park.

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  From the Conservancy's magazine

  Hidden Histories: 6 Little-Known Designs for Central Park

  Research into the original drawings and plans created to build Central Park offer hidden secrets from both the built and unbuilt aspects of the Park.