Spring in Central Park
NYC’s favorite public park is back in bloom. Positioned in the center of Manhattan, Central Park receives an average of 115,000 visitors per day according to Central Park Conservancy. However, in recent weeks that number has multiplied. Ninth grader Ellie Chudy says that “New York City winters are a tough time, so once the weather gets slightly nicer, everyone likes to go to the park because people are just so excited for the summer and a place to enjoy the good weather.” From pickleball to yoga, model sailboats to outdoor movies, Central Park is full of activity during springtime.
Among the park’s most charming traditions is the model sailboat racing at Conservatory Water. The small pond located just off of 74th Street and Fifth Avenue is the site for model sailboat races that are held every Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. “It’s so unexpected that in such a big city, people gather around a small pond to race model boats. It really makes you feel how even in a place as big as New York, the community can still feel small and close-knit.” Chudy shares.
This season brings a new use for Wollman Rink, which is located near the southeast corner of Central Park. In years past, it transformed into a springtime carnival. This year, it has been repurposed into pickleball courts, offering open play sessions, clinics, private lessons, and even competitive leagues. The courts are open from 8am until 9 pm, seven days a week.
In the next couple of weeks, the Central Park Film Festival returns to Sheep Meadow. Last year’s lineup included FLY, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Devil’s Climb. Starting around 6:30pm, people will typically gather on blankets to watch the evening’s movie on a large projection screen on the field.
In addition, another daytime Central Park attraction includes yoga classes, which are offered as a chance to recharge right on the grass in Sheep Meadow surrounded by the Manhattan skyline. The sessions last an hour, and welcome all skill levels. The cost is $25 per class or $54 for three. Ninth grader Riley Barnett shared her experience: “Taking that yoga class in the park was honestly such a special experience. As I stood in my poses, it felt like I was finally disconnected from the bustle of the city and my busy day-to-day life. I felt really grounded.”
Beyond the organized events, many people come to Central Park simply to spend time outdoors, whether that means having a picnic or tossing a frisbee. The Great Lawn and other fields turn into big open gathering spaces where people can sunbathe, exercise, play or just enjoy being outside. Ninth grader Leyla Kaya suggests, “I’d tell someone who had never been to Central Park before to walk around first, then go have a picnic on Sheep Meadow because that’s always fun.” These lawns are the cornerstones of the city because they act as something special for everyone. Whether it’s the perfect spot for a baseball game, a quiet area to study, a concert hall, a place where old friends reconnect, or even an area for dogs to chase a tennis ball, the magic of the Great Lawn lies in its ability to reflect the people who use it. It’s a space where everyone can be authentically themselves, and in doing so, shape the park in their own way. New York City is full of individuality, and there’s something beautiful about how the stories and uniqueness of every New Yorker are mirrored in a shared space like the Great Lawn.
The activities and fields aren’t the only reason people visit Central Park in the spring; many just come to simply enjoy the scenery. During the springtime Central Park is visually stunning as the Cherry blossom trees as well as a variety of other flowers are in bloom. As Leyla puts it, “when more places start to open up and the trees are pretty and there’s flowers it feels a lot more lively.” This “lively” nature and visual appeal is what causes so many to come out into Central Park during the springtime.
This connection to nature is part of what makes Central Park so meaningful to people in the city. As Riverdale’s Director of Environmental Stewardship Ms. Angela Costanzo puts it: “New York City in particular, especially Manhattan, is such a densely populated area. To have these spaces that are dedicated to nature... I think it’s so important, because people need to have that connection beyond concrete.”
Central Park has always offered a refreshing stillness in a city that’s always moving. Whether it’s walking your dog in the morning on the playground as a kid, it’s a place full of memories. Visiting the park in the spring and seeing all the flowers blooming, filling the lawns with people, and the whole park’s “lively” energy is something that many love to experience and observe and makes Manhattan what it is. Chudy said it best: “Even if you’re just walking around, you’re bound to see something interesting.” That’s what makes it so special. No matter who you are or what you’re there for, Central Park has something waiting for you.
