Sheep Meadow — Attraction in New York

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. The document asserts the self-evident truths that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It states that governments are instituted to secure these rights and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. When a government becomes destructive of these ends, the people have the right to alter or abolish it and institute a new government. The Declaration details a history of repeated injuries and usurpations by the King of Great Britain, aiming to establish absolute tyranny over the colonies. These grievances include refusing assent to necessary laws, obstructing the administration of justice, imposing taxes without consent, and quartering troops without the consent of the legislatures. The document notes that the colonies had petitioned for redress but were met with further injury. It also states that the colonists had warned their British brethren about attempts to extend unwarranted jurisdiction. Finally, the Declaration of Independence, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, declares that the United Colonies are free and independent states, absolved from allegiance to the British Crown, with the power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and perform all other acts of independent states. The representatives pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to support the declaration. You can find the full transcript in the referenced...

My big homie was in town for the weekend and hadn't been to NYC since he was 5, so we had to make the treacherous walk from Alphabet City (A-TOWN STAND UP!) to Central Park.

First off, how could I not shout out the architects of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. ABSOLUTE LEGENDS! I know I may be getting predictable in shouting out architects for places I love, but whatever. Deal with it. They should absolutely get more shine for designing what is EASILY the most iconic park in the world, but that is a conversation for another day. I may name one of my dogs after them though, "Olmsted" would be a sick dog name ahahaha.

About 16k steps into our 39,462 step day, we stumbled upon Sheep Meadow. It consumes 15 acres of the 842.6 acres that make up Central park. Walking into the entrance, it immediately put a smile on my face as there were a bunch of human beings enjoying the sunshine by having picnics, running around with their dogs, playing ultimate frisbee, laid out reading, etc. I might have to bring Olmsted here when I get him...

If you are like me, you will inevitably ask why is it called Sheep Meadow? A quick google search informed me that from 1864-1934, there were 200 sheep roaming around grazing these 15 acres with the thought being this would remind people of the idyllic English countryside. They ended up moving the sheep because they were worried New Yorkers would kill them and eat them during the great depression ahahaha that's wild. Crazy times.

We sat and people watched here for about 20 minutes before continuing our journey. I knew it was time to move on when I started to size up the people playing ultimate frisbee. "I would BURN him... my route running is too crispy for them..."

One of my favorite pockets in Central Park. THANK YOU FREDDY OLMSTED AND CV, I WON'T LET THEM FORGET!

IG...

While it has been many years since sheep actually inhabited this verdant lawn on the west side of the park, Robert Moses having exiled the sheep to Prospect Park in 1934, it still remains a pastoral setting that invites sunbathing and the enjoyment of a good book.

Original entries to the design competition for Central Park were required to include a parade ground and Olmsted and Vaux reluctantly included one in the first Greensward Plan. Soon after winning, however, they managed to convince the commissioners that a quiet park landscape was perhaps not the best place for military displays. To re-enforce the quiet nature of the “Green” as it was then called a flock of sheep was added in 1864. A Sheepfold was built across the drive in 1870 and twice a day a shepherd would hold up carriage traffic, and later automobiles, as he drove the animals to and from the meadow. After the sheep had been banished to Brooklyn the Sheepfold was converted into what is now the world famous restaurant Tavern on the Green.

Like the Great Lawn and the North Meadow the Sheep Meadow is now meticulously cared for by the parks department and rigid rules enforced to ensure that it doesn’t suffer the decline caused by overuse. On a crowded weekend afternoon as many as 30,000 visitors may arrive to enjoy the tree ringed expanse and it is only by careful management that meadow can...