Snowy Central Park

The first significant snowstorm hit the New York City area yesterday. Snow fell consistently across the five boroughs all day with accumulation of about three to six inches of snow across the city. Here are some images captured yesterday afternoon in Central Park.

New Book "Central Park NYC" Includes Old Blog Photo of Bethesda Terrace and Fountain

Paris-based architectural watercolor artists, Andrew Zega and Bernd H. Dams  published a new book, "Central Park NYC: An Architectural View", an exquisite exploration of Central Park's extraordinary pavilions, memorials, and monuments, sculptures, bridges, and arches, gates and rustic shelters, gardens, lakes, and meers, and a 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk in historic photographs and extraordinary watercolors by the authors. The authors also chose archival and contemporary photographs of the most beautiful and beloved structures from the park's 160-year history. Included in the selection is a black-and-white image of Bethesda Terrace and Fountain from this photo blog (see my original blog post). The coffee table book is available at Rizzoli (31 West 57th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) and online (amazon.com).

“Tributes to Central Park usually focus on is stunning vistas, but in Central Park NYC the authors explore the park’s multitude of overlooked smaller structures, statues, benches, and bridges. Their original watercolors and photographs and revealing text redefine the coffee table book: More than just pretty pictures to be savored, these images will enrich and deepen the reader’s experience…” ~The New York Times

Outdoor Physical Fitness Classes

During the summer months, there are numerous organized outdoor physical fitness classes in the city for those who cant's bear being inside on the treadmill or in some basement. Some of these classes take place in Central Park as shown above. Time Out New York lists some of the best outdoor fitness classes in New York City. 

Snowy Central Park After Blizzard "Nemo"

A blizzard nicknamed "Nemo" dumped about 11 inches of snow on New York City's five boroughs. In Central Park, below-freezing temperatures did not dampen the spirits of New Yorkers and tourists for some strolling, sledding, skiing and jogging. These are some scenes in Central Park early this morning.

Central Park Conservancy Receives $100 Million Donation

John Paulson, a billionaire hedge-fund manager recently donated $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy. It is believed to be the largest donation to any park in US history. Paulson, who joined the conservancy board in June, said he wants to make New York City a center of his philanthropy and decided Central Park, which he has visited regularly since his childhood and where his grandparents courted, should be No. 1 on the list.

"It's been an important part of my life and my family's life for a very long time." he said. "I wanted the amount to make a difference."

"It is a great privilege to be able to contribute to the Central Park Conservancy, one of the most important cultural institutions in New York,” Paulson said. He’s No. 28 in the Forbes 400 and No. 61 in the list of Forbes Billionaires.

The images above were taken two days before Superstorm Sandy hit the northeast. 

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

My old photo of Bethesda Fountain in Central Park (Summer 2007).

The image appears in RODEO, an Italian fashion magazine in its

March 2009 (#55) issue.

Sunday in the Park

Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda Fountain

Rowboats by the frozen Lake

Some snapshots of Central Park taken one snowy Sunday (January 18, 2009)