On July 21, 1853, the New York State Legislature decided to dedicate more than 750 acres (over 3km2) of land in the centre of Manhattan to create America’s first major public park. It runs north to south from 110th Street to 59th Street and east to west from 5th Avenue to CentralPark West. Ever since the park opened to the public in 1858, entr y has been free. More than 40 million visitors come to this amazing park eachyear. Nowadays, Central Park is a favourite relaxation zone for both New Yorkers and visitors to New York.

There are plenty of things you can do and see in Central Park. If you are keen on sports, you will surely enjoy the tennis, baseball or volleyball courts; the Lasker swimming pool offers relief on hot summer days. You may rent a bike and use the cycling routes or the park’s hilly terrain to ride around it. Skating on Wollman Rink¹ is a winter tradition in New York. You may even go fishing at Harlem Meer. Art lovers will be thrilled to explore the numerous arches, statues, fountains and bridges found all over the park. Shakespeare
Garden is a four-acre landscape named after the famous English poet and playwright². The garden features³ flowers and plants mentioned in his poems and plays. in the summer younger visitors like going to the victorian Gardens Amusement Park with 12 hand-craft ed rides. Last, but not least, the well-known Central park Zoo, built in 1984, shows animals from tropical, temperate and polar zones around the world. Evenings, especially in summertime, are oft en dedicated to concerts and various performances.
So when you are in New York, take your time and spend a day at this amazing natural paradise encircled⁴ by a city “jungle.” There is a lot to do and see for everyone.

Eva Vartíková

Vocabulary:
1 klzisko – kluziště; 2 /pleirait/ dramatik; 3 sa nachádzajú – se nacházejí;4 obkľúčený – obklíčený