Mindy | 
02 20th, 2010| 
From the incredible architectural, engineering and design feat of the Brooklyn Bridge to the bridges that dot the interior of Central Park, New York is the city for bridges…just something about walking across a bridge, is a bit more enchanting and romantic in feeling, than simply walking down the street. The tunnels and the bridges through Central Park however, were not originally conceived as part of the park, but just a means for traffic to traverse the park, without interrupting the layout and the landscaping of the park. They had originally planned for walkways, but the bridges were an addition to the original design by Vaux and Olmsted, the famous designers.
The Commissioners for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department made the suggestion to add the bridges shortly after the bridle paths were laid out. Other aspects of the design which had the commissioners considering a change was the previously failed systems of highways. These were the days before traffic lights, and with the horses and riders, and the walkers, and the cars, bridges were the best solution in Central Park for the organization of the traffic going through on a day to day basis.
One of the interesting aspects of the bridges, and a testament to the talent and the foresight of the planners, is that many of the bridges were made to blend in to the surrroundings, and quite a few of them are impossible to notice unless you are aware that they are there in the first place. Vaux and Olmsted remained steadfast to their belief that structures in a public park must serve a function. And while walking through the park today, there are many beautiful structures, their bridges remain. Many of the hotels offer tours of Central Park, check here for a list of those in the neighborhood, and next time you’re strolling along, keep your eyes peeled for the hidden bridges in New York City’s grand park.
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