Did you know that Frederick Law Olmsted's South Park is one of the most intact Olmsted parks in the country, if not the most intact? As I've stated in the past, I am not overly familiar with the park, but that's beginning to change. The more that I learn about the park, its central lake filled with floating waterlilies, the historic bog gardens and its vast hidden charms, the more that I find myself drawn to the park.
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Partially because the Olmsted Gala is being held at South Park this Friday (see BRO post), there has been a lot of activity focused on the park as of late. Just yesterday one of Olmsted's original flowering, cobblestone-ringed round-about was replaced after being torn out years ago. The entranceway onto Ring Road from South Park Avenue was barricaded for as long as anyone could remember in order to accommodate parking for golfers. It took a hoard of volunteers from M&T Bank and Americorps to replant the circle, thus restoring one more crucial historic design element to the park.
It's good to see so much activity taking place at this landmark location, because we are well aware that the conditions of our parks immediately impact the condition of the surrounding neighborhoods.
^ The City recently secured a $450,000 bond in order to resurface South Park's Ring Road.
^ (Top left clockwise): A fraction of the waterlily gardens, the clubhouse where members bring picnics and sit out on the newly restored porch, a serene water fountain found in a garden outside the Botanical Gardens, and an ode to Tim Russert carved in a tree.
What's a "flowering cobble circle" ?
"flowering, cobblestone-ringed round-about"
Thanks for the update! :)
You're welcome!