Magazine
Central Park Uncovered: The Experts Behind the Park Reveal Its Forgotten Stories and Hidden Histories
Even the world's most famous park has its secrets. Fortunately, the Central Park Conservancy staff knows every inch of its 843 acres. We're here to uncover obscure facts and forgotten stories that even seasoned New Yorkers might not know about Central Park.
1. The Park once held goat beauty contests
In 1934, the Brewers Board of Trade was looking for a goat to be their mascot...and held a goat beauty contest in the Park! A goat named Pretzels was declared the champion. Today, real goats can only be found in the Park’s Tisch Children’s Zoo. An honorable mention goes to the Dancing Goat, a sculpture near the Dancing Crane Cafe at the Central Park Zoo.
2. Central Park’s Mall has one of the largest collections of American elms in the world
This landscape is among the Park’s most iconic and recognizable features, famously shaded by towering elms. Due to the rapid spread of Dutch elm disease across North America, American elms are not as common as they once were. To protect the remaining elms, the Central Park Conservancy’s arborists diligently watch for signs of infection throughout the year. They have also started planting hybrid elms, which are more disease-resistant.
With some of their leaves gone, it’s easier to see the elms’ signature winding branches.
3. Turtles have a very good reason for crossing the road
Central Park’s turtles are aquatic, living in its water bodies (including the Lake, Harlem Meer, and yep, Turtle Pond!). But during nesting season in the spring and summer, females head onto land to lay their eggs. If you see them, please don’t relocate them or interfere: Give the turtles space and let them get to their destination safely. If they seem sick or injured, dial 311 so the Urban Park Rangers can help.
4. The Park can be up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the surrounding city
Especially during the summer, it’s easy to notice that the Park is much cooler than the rest of New York City. Sidewalks and buildings in urban areas retain a lot of heat, increasing the temperature. Meanwhile, the Park’s wooded areas and other natural landscapes stay cool. Next time you need to beat the heat, look for a shady spot in the Park—NYC's natural air conditioner!
A member of the Five Borough Program staff cleaning up brush in Harlem’s Jackie Robinson Park.
5. Despite our name, the Central Park Conservancy doesn’t just work in Central Park
The Central Park Conservancy’s primary job is to care for all aspects of Central Park. Almost 400 Conservancy employees tend to the Park’s complex maintenance, restoration, and architectural needs—from horticulture to tree and turf care, trash management, visitor services, and much more. However, the Conservancy also works alongside NYC Parks through the Five Borough Program. Together, we care for parks, playgrounds, and other public spaces across the City, including the Historic Harlem Parks, facilitating increased access to healthy, vibrant, and beautiful open spaces for all New Yorkers.
6. Sheep Meadow used to be full of sheep
Turns out, Sheep Meadow is a fitting moniker. From 1864 until 1934, the famous NYC hangout was home to a flock of sheep that grazed on the lawn to keep the grass under control. (These days, it’s up to the Central Park Conservancy to maintain the lawn for picnickers and sunbathers.) Visitors would come to watch the sheep at work, enjoying the sight of a peaceful “country” landscape. However, during the Great Depression, there were concerns that people living near the Park would eat the sheep out of desperation. They eventually had to be moved elsewhere for their safety.
Can you guess how Sheep Meadow got its name? From 1864 until 1934, this 15-acre lawn hosted a flock of sheep—that maintained the Park’s country aesthetic while conveniently keeping the grass short!
7. Somewhere in the Park is a survey bolt from the City’s original street grid
In the early 1800s, John Randel Jr. planted hundreds of metal bolts across Manhattan to map out the City’s original street grid. Most of the bolts are now gone, but one remains in Central Park. With a little bit of detective work, you might be able to hunt it down and see a piece of Manhattan history.
8. There’s more to the Angel of the Waters statue than meets the eye
The Angel of the Waters statue was created by Emma Stebbins (read more about Stebbins, the statue, and their place in LGBTQ+ history here). Before the Croton Aqueduct brought fresh water to New York City, thousands of people, including Stebbins’s brother, died from diseases caused by contaminated drinking water. The angel served as a symbol of clean water and healing after a difficult time for the City.
Bethesda Fountain, graced by its famed Angel of the Waters statue.
9. In 2018, a group counted all the squirrels in Central Park
At the time, the Squirrel Census found that there were about 2,373 Eastern gray squirrels in the Park. A casual observer might think all these furry rodents look the same. However, the dedicated Squirrel Census Sighters proved that many of them are unique. They noted squirrels with different patterns and colors: descriptions included “cinnamon pants and sleeves,” “blonde,” and “looked like she was wearing brown gloves.” It seems the fashion sense of Central Park's squirrels is as unique as that of human New Yorkers!
Sarah Rahman is an editorial intern at the Central Park Conservancy.
