THE BELVEDERE AND TURTLE POND: MORE FROM CENTRAL PARK

 

 

 

 

The great thing about Central Park in New York City

is that there's always something new to see,

no matter how many times you go.

 

 I can barely wrap my head around the fact 

that in all the time I lived in the city, 

I don't remember seeing Belvedere Castle.

It's kind of hard to miss,

as it is an imposing structure, perched on top of a cliff,

and is the second highest point in Central Park. 

 

 
 

Although I went to Central Park all the time,

it was to seek out my friends.......not interesting landmarks.

I'd sun bathe with pals in the Sheep Meadow.......

cheer on my company's team at the softball fields.......

or picnic on the Great Lawn while enjoying 

 Philharmonic in the Park. 

A few weeks ago, when I went in search of  

Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond, and  Shakespeare Garden,   

I had a vague idea of where they were,

but honestly, I was  just winging it, 

hoping to spot it, when........

Oh, HEY, there! 

 

I was so busy taking pictures,

that had I not looked down in the nick of time,

I'd have fallen right into Turtle Pond. 

That would have been a heck of a way to find it!
(Okay, a little poetic license there.......

I was in no danger of falling in).

 

  

 

The two-acre pond was constructed in 1937.

It is a popular area for relaxing, picnicking, and, yes....... 

turtle watching.  

 

 

Turtle Pond is the year-round home to five species of turtles.

The most common is the red-eared slider,

distinguished by red marks near their ears. 

Look, he's wearing a turtle neck, lol!

 

Believe it or not, most of the turtle life came from 

people releasing their pets into the pond. 

Who knew so many people had turtles as pets?

And why were they dumping them?
And how did they know to release them into that pond?
Seriously, what came first.......

the name Turtle Pond, or the turtles in it?

Methinks too much.

Just off the path, I stepped onto a small viewing platform.

 

From the platform, I spotted a large, flat rock

straight across the pond

(it's almost in the center of the photo, below).
Of course, I had to go check it out.

 

 

 

There were people hanging out on the rock,

and turtles were climbing all over it........

It was so cool!

I walked out almost to the edge.......

But, I kid you not.......at this point, 

me falling into the pond was a definite possibility.

Someone must have just polished that rock with Pledge,

and the soles of my shoes had no traction.

I thought it best to keep my distance from the edge 

to avoid going kerplunk, and becoming turtle food.

 

 

 

Turtles weren't the only species in the pond.

 There were ducks, and surprisingly, a Great Egret,

which is not native  to the area.

That's the cool thing about Central Park.......

it attracts wildlife tourists, as well as humans!

 

 

Enough about the pond.

Time to move on to The Belvedere,

which refers to the entire structure that houses 

the castle, two wooden pavilions, and a plaza.

 

It is perched dramatically on a cliff,

called Vista Rock.  

 

 

 The castle was completed in 1872.

Lest you think that Belvedere  was named after 

that famous mister who went to college,

um, no. 

Perhaps you know that Belvedere 

means "beautiful view" in Italian. 

I did not. 

I thought  Junior Goo Shoes might know that,

 after taking three years of Italian in high school.

He did not.

Apparently, the only thing he learned was,

"Mi dispiace, professoressa!"

(I'm sorry, teacher!)

Don't ask.

 

 

Belvedere Castle was constructed strictly as a place 

to enjoy the gorgeous vistas of the park.

 And, si, professoressa, it does deliver.

 

From the adjacent terrace and pavilions, 

views of the Great Lawn, Turtle Pond, The Ramble, 

and the cityscape beyond the park are splendido!

  

 

Belvedere Castle has another important function.

Since 1919, it has been been used 

as a meteorological observatory.

Whenever Al Roker reports that 

"The temperature in Central Park is  blankety-blank degrees,"

 it's taken from the top tower of Belvedere Castle.
Go know!

I had a great afternoon exploring this

new-to-me area of Central Park.

If you stuck with me for this entire post,

mille grazie!

(thanks a million!)

 

Till next time........

 

 

 

Shakespeare Garden: Central Park

 

 

The Pond: Central Park

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