Anyone seeing Hollywood's typical portrayal of Central Park over the years would imagine that it is a haven for muggers and rapists, whereas it is, in fact, a haven for nature, with 26,000 trees, huge lakes and meadows, and is home to 260 species of bird. 25 million humans a year get to use the 9,000 benches, as well as cafés, restaurants, baseball pitches, boating lakes, skate rinks, tennis courts and rental bicycles.
Rocks in the park, such as those pictured above, are 450 million years old.
Compared to London's Hyde Park, for example, this park is bigger, greener, more shapely and offers more entertainment. Unlike Hyde Park, however, you would be ill-advised to walk or jog the park at night, unless in the company of savvy New Yorkers.
