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Andrew Jackson Downing was among the first influential proponents for the creation of a large park. Joining forces with William Cullen Bryant in 1848, Downing also stressed the importance of a large urban park. Downing was a noted landscape designer as well as the editor of the prestigious magazine, The Horticulturalist. Like Bryant, Downing used his magazine as a way of communicating to New Yorkers the need for a large park. Downings zealousness for elaborate public parks was fueled by his travels in Europe, particularly Great Britain.(5) Downing not only found inspiration in the beautifully landscaped parks of England but also his future partner, Calvert Vaux who would become the chief designer of Central Park.(6)
Unlike Bryant, Downing believed a park site should be centrally located and at least 500 acres. Admittedly, this was a large plot of land, but one that Downing said could be found easily between 39th Street and Harlem River.(7) The final site chosen for Central Park was from 59th Street to 110th Street. Following Downings untimely death in 1852, Frederick Law Olmsted replaced him as lead architect.
 Andrew Jackson Downing
1815-1852
(Picture taken from Garden History Visit & Travel Guide:
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