One Big Gym and Stage -- Bring It On, Central Park!

Duck weed covered Turtle Pond this morning at Central Park. But, where are the ducks?

It was just announced on the Central Park Facebook page (102) Central Park that due to predicted rain storms tonight, the scheduled concert at The Great Lawn is canceled.

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The concert was was supposed to be accompanied by fireworks.  (Apparently, there was another concert and fireworks on July 11th -- a few days ago).

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In comment, I asked if the Conservancy ever considers the stressful and frightening impacts of exploding fireworks on the park's wildlife?

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Apparently not, as fireworks displays are quite common in Central Park. -- Screw the wildlife presumably.

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Also from the same Central Park, Facebook page:

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"Professional trainers utilize the most beautiful gym in the world, Central Park, and help you to achieve your fitness goals."

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I thanked Central Park for finally acknowledging that the park is mostly, one big gym. Some of us were dumb enough to believe it to be a place of nature and tranquility.

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It has been stunning to walk through Central Park in recent months and notice, what seems the disappearance of virtually all of the park's former ducks and geese.

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Particularly baffling are duck weed covered lakes and ponds (such as Harlem Meer and Turtle Pond) with barely any ducks on them.

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But, perhaps one should not be stunned at all.

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Though not visiting the Central Park, Facebook page on a regular basis, the few times one does, it is filled with all kinds of entertainment, fishing, and sporting event promotions, occasionally mixed with a few photos of flowers.

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One might think it the web site for Coney Island or the New York City Sports Club. I can't wait for the announcement of hot dog eating contests or the construction of a giant roller coaster or sports arena.  What could be better, after all, than to have the Super Bowl at Central Park?   Just think of the crowds it could pull in then!

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Unfortunately, all of these things don't appear to be attractants for water birds or wildlife.

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Exploding fireworks particularly freak out any birds who can still fly and get away as fast as possible.

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So, it seems most just avoid coming to Central Park in the first place.

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But, perhaps the real problem is me.   I am the odd one out. The grumpy "curmudgeon" who doesn't get off on 24/7 entertainment or running 7 marathons in 7 days or dodging between speeding runners and cyclists while trying to cross the East Park Drive (which is actually a sporting event in itself). 

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How dare I after all, go to a park expecting to find nature and tranquility?

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Bring on the Super Bowl, Central Park!  Or, World Series or World Cup or Tour de America or maybe even World War Three!  Yeah, lets have it all out on one big stage! 

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How is that for real fireworks?

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The more the merrier, as they say.  -- PCA

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