Your New York tour would be incomplete without spending time with your family and friends in the first urban landscaped park of United States - Central Park.  You probably might not be able to cover the entire park that spans across 843 acres of land and boasts a stunning diversity in its landscaping. It houses several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. It is also a home to the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Here are some quick facts that talk about the park’s history, conception, and creation.

* The terrain for the Central park was bought by the City of New York in 1853, which was then remotely located from the main civilization of the city. The area contained sheds from colonists, quarries, pig farms and swamps.

* In 1857, the city of New York organized a competition for the design of this new park, to compete with standards of the famous city parks located in  London and Paris. A design by Frederic Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, named 'the Greensward Plan' was chosen, which featured an English inspired landscape with large meadows, several lakes, hills, winding pedestrian roads separated from main roads, and a huge  number of trees which ensured that the city's buildings were not visible from within the park.

* Several hundred thousand trees were planted, roads and bridges were constructed to transform the swampy area into the park which the designers had envisioned.

* It took more than 15 years and 20,000 workers to complete the entire park, which became a popular hangout of all the New Yorkers and attracted millions of visitors each year.

* The initial intent behind designing the park was to create a place where people could relax and meditate. Gradually the focus of the park shifted from relaxation to recreation with playgrounds and sports facilities springing within the park.

* In 1970’s the park started losing its luster by inviting graffiti, garbage, an increase of crime in it vicinity, thus becoming a symbol of New York City’s decline

* A 50 million dollar renovation project was initiated to restore and conserve the park by the Central Park Conservancy, which was started by a group of citizens in 1980. The restoration efforts resulted in a cleaner and safer park which till date remains one of the most popularly visited places in Big Apple and one of the favorite hotspots while touring New York City.

Most New York vacation packages and travel bus tours include a visit to this charming jewel situated in the heart of Manhattan which hosts approximately twenty-five million visitors each year. Don’t miss out on the lush green landscapes and the breathtaking scenery exuded by this recreational haven for people belonging to all age groups, one of the treasured weekend hangouts of all New Yorkers, and undoubtedly the pride of Big Apple - Central Park.