Frederick Law Olmsted

Frederick Law Olmsted is largely regarded as the father of Central Park. Having very little formal education, Olmsted engaged in numerous unsuccessful ventures throughout his life.

Olmsteds involvement in Central Park happened by chance. An acquaintance suggested that Olmsted apply for the position of superintendent of Central Park. He was offered the position and soon after he set about transforming Central Park into a haven for the citys lay and elite citizenry. He also assembled an extremely talented crew of architects and gardeners that began the rigorous process of creating one of New Yorks treasures.(16) Olmsteds duties as superintendent included collecting topographical information and loose rocks, cleaning up the park site and vacating squatters, tearing down shanties, and building a boundary wall.(17