Summer Comes to Central Park

Central Park, spanning 59th to 110th street, is quite literally the center of the city, and the hub of summertime’s outdoor activities. With summer in full swing, the park has come alive with constant activity, from the runners and bikers, to the wide-eyed tourist’s strolls, to the dozens of organized sports teams and summer concerts. The park’s trees are the place to retreat from the summer sun and enjoy the scenery that contrasts to normal busyness of daily life in the streets. Central Park has packed this summer full with events welcoming all New Yorkers, new or veteran, young and old. All the normal attractions — the walks through the trees, the open fields, the zoo — will be complimented this summer by a number of special events.Shakespeare in the ParkSecuring a ticket to Central Park’s free Shakespeare in the Park tickets is always a coveted prize for New Yorkers. The New York Times wrote that the free theater is “the most beloved of the city’s summer rites and a cherished New York Institution.” Each summer the park features Shakespeare plays and invites surprise celebrities to join the cast. For summer of 2013, two shows were selected. The Comedy of Errors ran from May 28-June 30 and starred surprise guests Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hamish Linklater. It received high praise, as most Shakespeare in the Park shows do! The next show will be Love Labour’s Lost: A New Musical, and will run from July 23-August 18. Tickets are free and available on a lottery basis. Visit the website for a chance at the lottery and come out to see who the surprise celebrities will be, and to join in with one of the most treasured New York summer traditions. The Delacorte Theater is accessible by entering the park at 79th Street and 5th Avenue or 81st and Central Park West.Summer StageThough Summer Stage takes place across the city, Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield location is the star of the show. The program began over 25 years ago and is still an activity that New Yorkers look forward to every summer with over 100 singers, dancers, and acrobats joining the lineup. The listing of concerts in Central Park can be found on the website. You can now follow Summerstage on Twitter and Facebook for current details and information. Also, look into purchasing a SummerStage membership for special access and better seating to all of the performances. Rumsey Playfield is accessible by entering at the East 69th and Fifth Avenue entrance.Good Morning America’s Free Concert SeriesAlso taking place in Rumsey Playfield, every Friday Good Morning America holds a free concert. The series has been taking place for five years and attracts some big artists and large crowds. This year’s lineup includes One Republic, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys and more!  Visit the website for a complete summer line up.  Remember, you’ll have to be an early bird for these shows because they take place from 7-9 a.m.Harlem Meer Performance FestivalEvery Sunday afternoon in the summer from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., musicians will share their craft lakeside in the north end of Central Park by the Harlem Meer. Jazz, Latin, Gospel, Blues, and World music have all been highlighted here for over 20 years, providing summertime enjoyment. Many listeners like to bring a picnic lunch along to listen to the free shows. A full listing of performers can be found on Central Park NYC’s website. Performances can be watched from the plaza of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, accessed from the 110th Street entrance between Fifth and Lenox Avenue.Fishing: Catch and ReleaseYou may not be able to keep the fish, but you can enjoy the calm and satisfaction of fishing at Harlem Meer. The meer, in the north end of the park, possesses a variety of wildlife and to keep the ecosystem thriving, the fish need to be released gently back into the water. If you are looking for a relaxing activity for the morning, come out anytime between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring your photo id, borrow a pole and some bait, and enjoy a day of fishing solo or with your family. A full listing of rules and regulations is listed on Central Park NYC’swebsite.Sandbox ProgramEach summer, the Sandbox Program for children is held in Central Park for 6 weeks, from mid-July to the end of August. The program consists of four areas: dance, music, puppets, and stories. Every weekday from 11a.m. to 2p.m. the programs are held in various playgrounds across the park. The program has been so popular, it has been taking place every summer for the past 24 years! Sandbox is best for children 3-8 years old and requires no prior signups. Just show up with your child any day that suites you best. Check Central Park Conservancy’s website for details on where in the park each event will be happening.Film in Central ParkFilm fans will be interested to know that since 1908, over 300 films have been shot in Central Park, making it the most filmed location in the world. Visit Wikipedia’s full listing  of all of the films and take an afternoon to walk through the park and try to spot some of your favorite movies locations. If that sounds too daunting, perhaps tag along with On Location Tours. The company offers a walking tour of movie locations throughout the park, filled with trivia and led by aspiring actors in NYC. Perhaps you’ll even get lucky and stumble upon the filming of a new movie.So what are you waiting for? With so much to do, it’s time to get out of the house and into Central Park!