Blockhouse No. 1, the oldest extant structure in Central Park, was built before the park's creation as part of Fort Clinton during the War of 1812.

In 1847, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul hosted a concert at their new premises on what is now known as the Mount. They later built a chapel on the property, which was requisitioned for the construction of Central Park in 1856.

Around 1850, the south end of the pre-Park area was home to numerous piggeries run by Irish and German immigrants. Additionally, a community of German immigrants resided in the area that is now the East Meadow and North Meadow.

Mayor Ambrose Kingsland proposed the creation of a large new park in New York City to the Common Council, which was later endorsed by the Committee of Lands. The initial proposed site, Jones's Wood, was later invalidated, leading to the selection of the current Central Park site.

On June 21, 1853, the Beekman's Jones' Wood bill and the Central Park bill were introduced to the legislature. Initially, only the Central Park bill was passed, but later both bills were reconsidered and passed, allowing the potential for each park to be built.

Clearing of the Central Park site began in October 1855 after property assessments were completed, leading to the eviction of approximately 1,600 residents under eminent domain.

Mayor Fernando Wood appointed a consulting board, headed by author Washington Irving, to inspire public confidence in the proposed Central Park development.

In late August 1857, workers started building fences, clearing vegetation, draining the land, and leveling uneven terrain for the construction of Central Park. Chief engineer Viele reported that the project employed nearly 700 workers.

In April 1858, the park commissioners selected Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's Greensward Plan as the winning design for Central Park.

In December 1858, the Lake in Central Park's southwestern section became the first feature to open to the public. It was followed by the opening of the Ramble in June 1859.

In June 1859, the Ramble in Central Park was opened to the public. This naturalistic woodland area provided a serene escape within the park.

The 66th Street transverse was the first to be finished, opening in December 1859, connecting the discontinuous sections of 65th and 66th streets on either side of Central Park.

By June 1860, the park commissioners reported that $4 million had been spent on the construction of Central Park. Due to rising costs, several features in the Greensward Plan were eliminated or downsized.

The 79th Street transverse, passing under Vista Rock, Central Park's second-highest point, was completed by a railroad contractor in December 1860 due to their experience in drilling through hard rock.

When the American Civil War began in 1861, the construction of Central Park continued. Only three major structures were completed during the war, including the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain.

In April 1862, the Central Park commissioners decided to name each gate with professions that represent the city's metropolitan character, such as miners, scholars, artists, or hunters.

In 1863, the boundaries of Central Park were extended to 110th Street, increasing its size to the current 843 acres. This expansion allowed for more recreational space and greenery in the heart of Manhattan.

In mid-1865, Olmsted and Vaux were re-hired for Central Park. Several structures were erected during this period, including the Children's District, the Ballplayers House, and the Dairy in the southern part of Central Park.

By 1867, Central Park accommodated nearly three million pedestrians, 85,000 horses, and 1.38 million vehicles annually. The park had activities for New Yorkers of all social classes.

In 1870, Frederick Law Olmsted expressed his vision for Central Park to be a place of tranquility and rest for the mind, resembling the beauty of fields, meadows, and still waters.

The Central Park Zoo was given permanent quarters in 1871 and quickly became the park's most popular feature.

Angel of the Waters, sculpted by Emma Stebbins in 1873, is a centerpiece of Bethesda Fountain and the first large public sculpture commission for an American woman.

Central Park in Manhattan was constructed over a period of fifteen years, ending in 1876. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with the contribution of over twenty thousand engineers, architects, and builders.

A statue of The Pilgrim is erected in New York City's Central Park on June 6, 1885, sponsored by the New England Society in the City of New York.

The first official list of birds observed in Central Park was published in 1886, totaling 235 species. Since then, 303 bird species have been recorded in the park, with an estimated 200 species spotted every season. Notable birds include Pale Male, Mandarin Patinkin, and Flaco.

The Mall in Central Park was constructed around 1902, as depicted in a photo from the Library of Congress.

The Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, established in 1905, are the oldest free classical music concert series in the United States. These concerts are hosted in the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.

In 1912, the gravel roads in Central Park were paved to increase safety, as automobiles became more common and often broke speed limits.

In 1914, the carriage speed limit in Central Park was raised to 15 mph to enhance safety amidst the increasing traffic of automobiles.

The Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza was completed in 1916. The plaza also features the William Tecumseh Sherman statue, dedicated in 1903.

The statue of Balto, the sled dog famous for the 1925 serum run to Nome, was erected in 1925 near East Drive and East 66th Street.

The Heckscher Playground, named after philanthropist August Heckscher, opened in 1926 near the southern end of Central Park. It quickly became popular among poor immigrant families.

In 1927, August Heckscher donated the first equipped playground located on the southeastern meadow of the park, marking a significant development in providing facilities for active recreation.

In November 1929, the scenic drives in Central Park were changed from two-way traffic to one-way traffic.

In 1932, forty-two traffic lights were installed along the scenic drives in Central Park, and the speed limit was lowered to 25 miles per hour.

In 1934, Central Park experienced a revival when Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia appointed Robert Moses as NYC Parks Commissioner, leading to the development of various projects including playgrounds, ballfields, and Wollman Rink.

The carriage-horse tradition in Central Park was revived in 1935 after the introduction of automobiles caused the carriage industry to decline by World War I.

The Great Lawn was completed in 1937 on the site of the Croton receiving reservoir, which was drained starting in 1930. It was temporarily used as a homeless encampment during the Great Depression.

The bronze King Jagiello Monument, installed in 1945, is located at the east end of Turtle Pond in Central Park.

In 1941, a fatal stabbing incident involving two teenagers occurred in the northern section of Central Park, contributing to the park's dangerous reputation.

In 1943, the Harlem Meer in Central Park underwent a restoration project to enhance its beauty and recreational value.

Frederick Douglass Circle, named in 1950, contains a memorial to Frederick Douglass that was dedicated in 2011.

A new boathouse was completed in Central Park in 1954, providing visitors with additional recreational opportunities.

In 1956, a dispute arose over the construction of a parking lot for Tavern in the Green in Central Park. The controversy involved urban planner Robert Moses and a group of mothers who opposed the project.

The sculpture of Alice in Wonderland, located at Conservatory Water, was dedicated in 1959 as a memorial to Margaret Delacorte.

Robert Moses resigned in 1960, leaving Central Park without a maintenance plan, leading to deterioration of the park's infrastructure.

Central Park was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1963, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.

Both ends of the 79th Street transverse in Central Park were widened in 1964 to accommodate increased traffic.

Starting in 1967, the scenic drives in Central Park were closed to automotive traffic on weekends for exclusive use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

In 1973, the Central Park Community Fund was established based on a report from a Columbia University professor, recommending the creation of the fund to address the deteriorating conditions of Central Park.

In 1974, Central Park was designated as a Scenic Landscape of the City of New York, highlighting its importance as a green space within the urban environment.

The Central Park Medical Unit, a free volunteer medical emergency service, was established in 1975 to provide rapid-response patrol with bicycles, ambulances, and an all-terrain vehicle within Central Park.

In 1979, the Central Park Conservancy was formed in partnership with the City, with the support of Mayor Ed Koch and Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis.

In 1980, the Central Park Conservancy, a private fundraising body, assumed responsibility for restoring features of the Greensward Plan in Central Park, including the Sheep Meadow, the Bethesda Terrace, and the Belvedere Castle.

The city dedicated Strawberry Fields in honor of John Lennon in April 1981 near Central Park West and 72nd Street. The memorial was rebuilt and rededicated on October 9, 1985, Lennon's 45th birthday, with contributions from countries worldwide.

The Loeb Boathouse restaurant, situated at the Loeb Boathouse near Fifth Avenue between 74th and 75th streets, opened in 1983, although the boathouse itself was constructed in 1954.

For the past 37 years, the Conservancy has invested nearly $1 billion to restore and maintain Central Park, including areas like Sheep Meadow, the Great Lawn, and the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

The Strawberry Fields memorial, dedicated to John Lennon, was completely rebuilt and rededicated on what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday on October 9, 1985, near Central Park West and 72nd Street.

In 1986, Robert Chambers committed the 'preppy murder' of Jennifer Levin in Central Park, which garnered significant public attention.

By 1990, the private organization of the Central Park Conservancy contributed over half of the public park's budget, exerting significant influence on decisions regarding the park's future.

The Dana Discovery Center was built in 1993 at the northeast section of Central Park, on the north shore of the Harlem Meer.

The Great Lawn in Central Park underwent restoration in 1997, transforming it into a beautiful and well-maintained area for visitors to enjoy.

The Conservancy took over the park's management duties from NYC Parks in 1998, providing maintenance support and staff training programs for other public parks in New York City.

In 2002, Nannarrup hoffmani, one of the smallest centipede species in the world, was discovered in Central Park. The park is also home to the invasive Asian long-horned beetle.

Since 2003, the Central Park Conservancy has organized the Central Park Film Festival, a series of free film screenings held annually in August. The festival has become a popular summer event in the park.

For 16 days in 2005, Central Park hosted The Gates installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, which had been planned since 1979. Despite mixed reactions, it attracted over a million visitors.

In 2009, Central Park accommodated approximately 4,000 days of film shoots, contributing to $135.5 million in city revenue.

In 2011, a survey revealed that Central Park had over 20,000 trees, a decrease from the 26,000 trees recorded in 1993. The majority of the trees are native to New York City, with some clusters of non-native species. Over four million trees, shrubs, and plants from approximately 1,500 species were planted or imported to the park.

As of 2013, Central Park is home to approximately ten species of mammals, including bats, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and opossums. A 2019 squirrel census found 2,373 Eastern Gray squirrels in the park.

In October 2014, legislation was introduced to conduct a study on making Central Park car-free during the summer of 2015.

In 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the permanent closure of the West and East Drives north of 72nd Street in Central Park to vehicular traffic.

Central Park had 42 million visitors in 2016, making it the most visited urban park in the United States and one of the most visited tourist attractions worldwide.

Central Park, recognized for its cultural and historical importance, was added to UNESCO's list of potential World Heritage Sites in 2017.

In January 2018, all cars were prohibited from using the East Drive in Central Park.

In June 2018, the entirety of the three loop drives in Central Park was closed permanently to vehicular traffic.

In March 2020, temporary field hospitals were established in Central Park in response to the coronavirus pandemic to treat overflow patients from area hospitals.

With over 42 million visits annually, Central Park remains one of the most visited urban parks in the United States, offering a space for recreation and relaxation to both locals and tourists.

In 2022, the Gate of the Exonerated at Lenox Avenue and Central Park North was dedicated in honor of the Central Park Five.

In June 2023, the renovation of the Chess and Checkers House in Central Park was completed.

In early 2024, the Central Park Conservancy allocated $64 million to fix sidewalks on 108 blocks surrounding the park.