CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK – In Episode #26 of his podcast, Thomas Fraser talks with Elizabeth Barlow Rogers about Central Park’s history and revitalization.  Rogers is the founder of the influential Central Park Conservancy.  In a wide-ranging interview, Rogers describes how Central Park was rescued from a state of serious neglect and degradation and transformed into the scenic and recreational masterpiece it is today.  She also discusses a variety of lessons civic leaders can learn from the revitalization of Central Park and apply to ambitious, transformational projects in their own cities.  Rogers is the author of the excellent new book “Saving Central Park: A History and A Memoir.”

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Rogers tells the fascinating story of the history of Central Park and how she worked to help save the park and transform it into the urban oasis that thousands of visitors enjoy every day.

Central Park’s history begins with the design competition won by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux.  Rogers describes the “genius” of Olmstead and Vaux’s plan and how their vision is experienced by Central Park visitors today.  Rogers also describes the difficult period Central Park endured and why this influenced her to become involved in the park’s revitalization.  

 

Rogers discusses a number of important management lessons she learned during her decades of work on behalf of Central Park.  She also discusses the pioneering Public Private Partnership between the Central Park Conservancy and the City of New York and the work of her Foundation for Landscape Studies today.

    

“Saving Central Park: A History and A Memoir” is published by Alfred A. Knopf.

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To learn more about the work of the Foundation for Landscape Studies, please click here.  This podcast is part of an ongoing series on the global renaissance in public park and garden building.