Exploring the Landmark Bridges of Central Park

by Christian Rowe

On my Central Park exploration today, I noticed things that I would not have paid much attention to before beginning my summer internship with LANDMARK WEST! The first thing I noticed was that when you enter the park at 77th Street you walk over a beautiful double arch bridge – and you don't even realize it. The designers of the park strategically used nature to disguise man-made structures throughout the park. I also discovered that the more you walk through the park the more the scenery changes. The way Central Park was designed, every few steps reveal something new to see while other features disappear or reappear in different positions. To test this idea, I stood still and take it all in and then took five steps in any direction to see what happened – the scene definitely changed.

When you enter the park at 77th Street you walk over a beautiful double arch bridge – and you don't even realize it!

The location for Central Park was chosen by the city because its natural topography was too rocky to build houses on. One of the reasons why the city decided to build a park may have been  because we had something to prove to Europeans who thought we only cared for our individual selves instead of the greater public. The park was originally going to be smaller, but the land was too rocky to end the park at 106th Street so they extended it to 110th Street. The designers of the park were Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who won a contest with their design. They had the winning design because theirs was the most naturalistic and asymmetrical, which was the style of landscape design that everyone wanted in the 1850s.

The Ramble Arch has gaps on the sides so it looks like some rocks fell off over time, but at the same time the gaps give you a clear view when you look over the edge.

After crossing the bridge at 77th Street we walked to the Ramble, which is a part of Central Park where the forestation gets really thick – it’s easy to get lost in there. Once again the Ramble Arch was completely hidden until we were standing on top of it. From the top the Ramble Arch looks like a natural rock bridge (besides its concrete floor). It has gaps on the sides so it looks like some rocks fell off over time, but at the same time the gaps give you a clear view when you look over the edge. Looking at the Ramble Arch straight on, it sort of looks like you are entering an ancient ruin in the jungle.

Looking at the Ramble Arch straight on, it sort of looks like you are entering an ancient ruin in the jungle.

My favorite bridge in the park that I visited today was the Balcony Bridge because it looks so peaceful. Aside from the skyline and the people rowing boats you get the feel of being on a rock looking out at a flowing river separating two parts of the jungle. Here at Landmark West! we enjoy the privilege of having Central Park in our city   – you should too!

My favorite bridge in the park that I visited today was the Balcony Bridge because it looks so peaceful.