Sheep Meadow View
Welcome to Sheep Meadow, a 15-acre oasis in the heart of Central Park.
Open: May to Mid-October
Spanning 15 acres, Sheep Meadow is a unique and beloved location amongst park goers for relaxation and recreation. As you step onto this expansive field, you are greeted by a breathtaking panorama where Manhattan’s towering skyscrapers meet lush greenery.
Once known as "the Commons," it earned the name Sheep Meadow in the 1860s when Central Park’s designers envisioned a pastoral haven where a flock of sheep could graze freely. Though the sheep vanished decades ago, the meadow still echoes its agricultural past, welcoming visitors to relax in its peaceful embrace.
On sunny days, families and friends gather here to picnic, fly kites, play frisbee, or simply lounge on blankets. For nature lovers, a leisurely stroll through the adjacent areas reveals some of the park's diverse flora and fauna.
History
Sheep Meadow has been home to various demonstrations, concerts, and political movements over the last century. Upon its creation, the Meadow's purpose was to serve as a parade ground for military drills, as this was one of the rules of the design contest. Though this idea contrasted with contest winners Olmsted and Vaux's vision of the Park as a peaceful and nature-based environment, they were initially obligated to comply with this rule. Among the Park's original constructions, Sheep Meadow was by far the most costly, and the designers had to order a reshaping of the land and the uprooting of immigrants to create it.
This idea of the Meadow as a parade ground was quickly abandoned however, and, in 1864, 200 sheep were placed in the Park and housed in a Victorian building within the Meadow. In 1934 these sheep were transported to Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and were replaced with Tavern on the Green. The 60's and '70s saw Sheep Meadow used for war protests, outdoor concerts, and hippie "love-ins", and the 1969 moon landing was also televised at the Meadow.