The area today we know as Central Park previously was a swamp area with some caves, livestock holdings and shacks. In 1858 Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux reclaimed this area creating this huge green lung with hills, little lakes, fields and over 500.000 trees and bushes. In the following years were added playing areas, skating rinks, tennis courts, football fields and areas for chess and croquet. In the week ends, when Central Park is closed to the traffic, it becomes the sanctuary of joggers, skaters and cyclists.
