2. A Park Born from Controversy
The creation of Central Park was not without conflict. In the 1850s, the city used eminent domain to seize land, displacing hundreds of residents—including the vibrant, predominantly Black community of Seneca Village. Homes, churches, and livelihoods were uprooted in the name of urban progress, echoing similar stories of forced relocations in American history. While the park would become a beloved refuge, its origins are a poignant reminder of the costs of progress and the lives forever altered by the city’s ambitions.
