Central Park the way Frederick Law Olmsted intended

Central Park was designed as a place of peace and tranquility: a refuge from the stress of the city. Frederick Law Olmsted provided for traffic when he planned the park. That is why he included the transverses at 66th, 81st, 86th, and 96th streets. These transverses are sunk 8 feet below the level of the park to minimize the visual and noise pollution of the cars. The loop was intended for strolling, running, and parading.

Now each morning and early evening during the work week, Central Park users are greeted by the noise, stress and tension of cars cruising through the park. People strolling through the Ramble and sitting by the Lake can't forget the troubles of the city because of the traffic motoring by. As we crowd more and more cars into the city, we have forgotten that the cars exist to serve us and we don't exist to serve the cars.

CarFreeLoop.org proposes that the loop road be closed to normal automobile traffic. Our goal is reasonable, even sensible. We need your help to raise the consciousness of our neighbors and correct this one small flaw in our great city. Check out the rest of the site for details.

Mark Gorton, Chairman of CarFreeLoop.org